20th July 2008This plant has many names as it is well known throughout the world for its healing power. Its scientific name is Centella Asiatica, while Malays call it Pegaga, Indians call it "Vollarei Elaye", the Hokkiens call it "Ham Kak Chau" and to the world, it is known as Indian Pennywort or just Pennywort for short.
This plant, or I'm going to call it as Pegaga in this blog, is a creeping herb with small kidney-shaped leaves, tiny pinkish red flowers and small fruits.
For its medical benefits, it has been used since ancient times especially in the Ayurvedic medicine system of India and in the folk medicine of China and Madagascar. This plant is also recommended by the World Health Organization(WHO) as one of the most important medicinal plant species to be conserved and cultivated.
In Malaysia, it is commonly consumed as a vegetable (ulam) among Malays, as a cooling drink by the Chinese and as a tonic for the brain by the Indians. Leaves are consumed either raw in ulam or cooked. The Malays also use the decocotion(boiling in water over low flames until only half the amount remain, and then straining the solution) of leaves to treat leprosy and rheumatism. Infusion of toasted leaves or juice extracted from the leaves, together with food, is used to relieve minor dysentary in children. Some people also use as poultice (soft heated mass) of leaves to treat sores, or pound leaves into a paste to apply it to the body for fever. Juice from roots is used to clean ulcerous wounds. The Javanese also mix it with coconut oil and apply it to sore ears. The young shoots are used to treat haermorrhoids. The leaves are also believed to be good for mothers who has just given birth, and for preserving youthfulness.
It is an excellent source of Vitamin A, giving as much as 738mcg per 100g edible portion. This is 246 times as much as the amount found in an equal portion of cauliflower(3mcg) for instance. It also has twice as much as Vitamin A as carrot (408mcg), usually taken for its Vit A content.
Vitamin A is necessary for healthy eyes, skin and mucous membranes and helps to maintain health of the reproductive system. Pegaga also has 6 times as much iron as a cauliflower. Iron is required for the formation of haemoglobin, an oxygen-carrying substance is red blood cells.
What's more, it is also rich in minerals like phosphorus and calcium. Its calcium content is 7 times that of cauliflower and its vital for normal growth and maintenance of bones and teeths, while phosphorus helps in the transportation and absorbtion of nutrients.
Source: Utusan Consumer April 1988
