Centella Asiatica Seeds

Centella asiatica a prostrate, perennial, faintly aromatic herb found wild throughout India and Ceylon up to an altitude of 2,000ft. This plant attain a height of 0.2-1mt. The leaves are orbiculoreniform, 0.5 - 1.5 inches in diam., with short stalks. The plant enjoys considerable reputation in Indian systems of medicine as diuretic, alterative and tonic. An infusion of the plant is used in India and Madagascar in the treatment of leprosy and is known to ameliorate the symptoms of the disease and to improve the general health of the patient. The leaves are commonly employed, but the use of the whole plant is recommended.the ususal dose for oral administration is 5 - 10 grains of the plant powder , thrice daily. In larger doses, the drug is a stupefying narcotic, producing giddiness and sometimes coma.

It is reported to be a useful cover crop in tea and rubber plantation in Ceylon, although opinion on this point is not unanimous. It is also reprted to possess insecticidal properties.