Pegaga

The beautiful Pegaga or Asian Pennywort enjoys the graceful Latin name of Centella asiatica. It is a creeping plant that loves wet, swampy conditions and has round edible leaves. Also called gotu kola in Tamil, it is actually a perennial herb. The Pegaga is native to many parts of Asia and North Australia.

Did you know that there are many myths and legends associated with this delicate plant due to its many herbal benefits? 

In China, it is said that the Tai-chi master, Li Ching-yun, lived to more than 200 years of age because he consumed a daily dose of herbs whic included Pegaga while in India, King Aruna was said to have kept his 50 wives and concubines happy with his superhuman stamina which he attributed to regular consumption of the herb?

Apart from having Vitamins B1,B2, B3, and B6 calcium, magnesium, sodium, manganese and zinc, it also has anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties. 

In Asia,  it is mainly consumed as a tea though in Penang, it is sweetened with sugar and taken as a cold, refreshing drink. Research has shown that it is good for many conditions like swelling, joint pain as well as anxiety and fatigue but it is mostly known to Penang Chinese for its ability to improve the memory.

But really, the Asian pennywort is also good for other things like senility, strokes, nervous disorders and some types of nervous disorders. Herbalists also use it for high blood pressure and urinary tract infections. It has antibiotic properties, too, but regular consumption of Pegaga without medical advice is not recommended. It's powerful properties can lead to liver damage as well as skin and cancerous growths.