Hydrocotyle bonariensis (Apiaceae) Largeleaf Pennywort, Coastal Pennywort, Gotha Brahmi

Quick Overview:

Hydrocotyle bonariensis is a coastal, creeping perennial herb closely related to the more famous Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola). Traditionally used in South American, African, and some Asian folk medicines, it is valued as a topical vulnerary and anti-inflammatory agent for skin conditions, wounds, and ulcers. Its internal use is less defined and more cautious due to limited study and potential hepatotoxicity concerns shared by some species in the genus.

1. Taxonomic Insights

Species: Hydrocotyle bonariensis Lam.

Family: Apiaceae (Umbelliferae or Carrot family)

The Apiaceae family includes many important culinary and medicinal herbs, often characterized by umbrella-shaped flower clusters (umbels). The Hydrocotyle genus is sometimes placed in Araliaceae but is currently accepted within Apiaceae. Members often contain bioactive terpenoids and flavonoids.

Related Herbs from the Same Family:

· Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola/Mandukaparni): The most famous and well-researched relative, a premier nervine, cognitive enhancer, and skin regenerative tonic.

· Hydrocotyle asiatica (syn. of Centella asiatica): Highlights the historical taxonomic closeness.

· Daucus carota (Wild Carrot): A diuretic and digestive herb.

· Foeniculum vulgare (Fennel): A classic carminative and digestive stimulant.

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2. Common Names

Scientific Name: Hydrocotyle bonariensis | English: Largeleaf Pennywort, Coastal Pennywort, Beach Pennywort | Spanish: Sombrerito de playa, Escudete | Portuguese: Erva-capitão, Acaricoba-branca | South Africa: iShwaqa (Zulu), Sehalahala (Sotho) | No widely attested classical Sanskrit or Hindi names, as it is not a prominent herb in traditional Ayurveda. May be referred to regionally as Bara/Gotha Brahmi (confused with Centella) or Kanda Brahmi in some Indian folk contexts. |

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3. Medicinal Uses

Primary Actions (based on traditional use and genus profile): Vulnerary (wound healing), Anti-inflammatory, Mild Diuretic, Topical Antiseptic.

Secondary Actions: Potential Antioxidant, Mild Sedative (folk use).

Medicinal Parts:

· Leaves: The primary part used, both fresh and dried.

· Whole Aerial Plant: Used in infusions and for poultices.

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4. Phytochemicals Specific to the Plant and Their Action

(Note: Specific phytochemistry of H. bonariensis is less exhaustively studied than C. asiatica, but shares common genus markers.)

· Triterpenoids: Likely contain asiaticoside-like compounds (e.g., madecassoside, terminolic acid derivatives) which are responsible for collagen synthesis stimulation and anti-inflammatory effects on skin and connective tissue.

· Flavonoids (Rutin, Quercetin derivatives): Expected to be present, contributing antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and vasoprotective activities.

· Polyacetylenes: Common in Apiaceae; may have antimicrobial properties.

· Caffeic Acid Derivatives (e.g., chlorogenic acid): Contribute to antioxidant and potential hepatoprotective effects, but also possible idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity in sensitive individuals or high doses (a noted concern in some Hydrocotyle species).

· Essential Oil Components: Trace amounts may contribute to mild aromatic and topical actions.

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5. Traditional and Ethnobotanical Uses Covering the Medicinal Uses

Vrana (Wounds) & Twak Vikara (Skin Diseases)

Formulation: Fresh leaf poultice or infused oil.

Preparation & Use: Fresh, clean leaves are crushed and applied directly as a poultice to wounds, cuts, ulcers, and chronic skin sores (e.g., in leprosy in traditional African medicine). An oil infused with the leaves is used for topical application.

Reasoning: The triterpenoids stimulate fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition, accelerating wound contraction and epithelialization. Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties prevent infection and reduce swelling.

Daha (Burning Sensation) & Visarpa (Erysipelas/Herpes)

Formulation: Leaf paste or juice.

Preparation & Use: The fresh juice of leaves or a cool paste is applied to burning skin rashes, herpes zoster lesions, and inflammatory skin conditions.

Reasoning: The cooling, anti-inflammatory, and potentially antiviral (from flavonoids/polyacetylenes) properties help soothe the skin and reduce viral replication and inflammation.

Shotha (Edema) & Mutraghata (Urinary Obstruction)

Formulation: Leaf infusion (weak tea).

Preparation & Use: A mild infusion of the leaves is taken as a diuretic to reduce mild edema and support urinary tract function in some folk traditions.

Reasoning: Its mild diuretic action, common in the genus, helps increase urine output and flush the urinary system.

Manasika Vikara (Mental Stress) - Folk Use

Formulation: Mild leaf infusion.

Preparation & Use: In some South American and African traditions, a weak tea is consumed to alleviate mild anxiety and stress.

Reasoning: This use is likely inferred from its relation to Centella asiatica (Brahmi), which is a potent nervine. The efficacy for this purpose in H. bonariensis is not well-validated.

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6. Healing Recipes, Teas, Decoctions

Primarily a topical folk herb; internal use is not common and should be approached with caution.

Basic Vulnerary Poultice:

Purpose: For minor cuts, abrasions, and boils.

Preparation & Use:

1. Crush a handful of fresh, washed H. bonariensis leaves into a fine paste.

2. Apply directly to the cleaned wound.

3. Cover with a clean gauze or bandage. Change twice daily.

Skin-Soothing Infused Oil:

Purpose: For dry, irritated, or inflamed skin.

Preparation & Use:

1. Pack a clean, dry jar with fresh leaves.

2. Cover with a carrier oil (coconut, olive).

3. Let it sit in a warm, dark place for 2-4 weeks, then strain. Apply topically as needed.

Mild Diuretic Infusion (Folk Use Only):

Purpose: Traditional use for mild water retention.

Preparation & Use:

1. Steep 1-2 dried leaves in a cup of hot water for 5 minutes.

2. Strain and drink no more than once per day, for short periods only.

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7. In-Depth Phytochemical Profile and Clinical Significance of Hydrocotyle bonariensis

Introduction

Hydrocotyle bonariensis is a mat-forming, succulent herb native to coastal dunes and sandy soils across the Americas, Africa, and parts of Asia. Its medicinal reputation exists primarily in the sphere of folk and ethnomedicine, living in the shadow of its vastly more famous and researched cousin, Centella asiatica. While it shares the characteristic round, peltate leaves and habitat preferences of many Pennyworts, its therapeutic profile is both promising and cautionary. Its use centers almost exclusively on topical wound and skin care, with internal applications being sparse and poorly documented.

1. Triterpenoid Saponins (The Putative Healing Compounds)

Likely Compounds: Asiaticoside, Madecassoside, Terminolic acid, and other bayogenin/asiatic acid derivatives.

Hypothesized Actions and Relevance:

· Wound Healing & Collagen Synthesis: If present similarly to C. asiatica, these triterpenoids are the workhorses of tissue repair. They stimulate type I collagen synthesis, increase fibroblast proliferation, and strengthen the skin's extracellular matrix. This would provide a solid biochemical basis for its widespread traditional use as a poultice for wounds and chronic ulcers.

· Anti-inflammatory: Triterpenoids inhibit key inflammatory pathways (NF-κB, COX-2), reducing prostaglandin production. This explains its benefit in inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis in folk practice.

2. Flavonoids and Phenolic Acids

Likely Compounds: Rutin, quercetin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid.

Hypothesized Actions and Relevance:

· Antioxidant & Vasoprotective: These compounds protect skin and connective tissues from oxidative damage caused by inflammation or injury. Rutin specifically strengthens capillaries, reducing bruising and micro-bleeding in wounds.

· Antimicrobial: Contribute to the herb's ability to prevent wound infection.

· Hepatotoxicity Risk (Caffeic Acid Derivatives): Some Hydrocotyle species have been linked to rare cases of hepatotoxicity, possibly due to idiosyncratic reactions to certain phenolic compounds. This underscores the need for caution with internal use.

An Integrated View of Healing in Hydrocotyle bonariensis

· As a Topical Vulnerary and Skin Regenerative: The proposed synergy between wound-stimulating triterpenoids and protective, anti-inflammatory flavonoids makes it an effective, simple first-aid plant. When applied as a poultice, it creates a moist, bioactive environment that cleanses (mild antimicrobials), soothes (anti-inflammatories), and actively rebuilds (collagen stimulation) damaged skin. This aligns perfectly with its global folk use for everything from simple cuts to stubborn tropical ulcers.

· For Inflammatory Dermatological Conditions: Its application in conditions like eczema or herpes lesions leverages the anti-inflammatory and potentially immunomodulating effects of its phytochemical matrix. The cooling, soothing sensation reported anecdotally aligns with its Pitta-pacifying potential in a traditional humoral framework.

· A Herb of Coastal Folk Medicine: Its preference for coastal habitats made it readily available to coastal communities, who developed its uses independently. It represents a classic example of the "doctrine of signatures" or ecological determinism in folk medicine—a succulent plant growing in harsh, sandy conditions used to heal and protect the skin.

· The Cautionary Tale of Internal Use: Unlike Centella asiatica, which is extensively studied and safely used internally for cognitive and venous health, H. bonariensis lacks this safety profile. Its diuretic and potential nervine folk uses remain speculative and are overshadowed by genuine concerns about potential liver effects in sensitive individuals, highlighting the critical importance of not conflating members of the same genus.

Conclusion: Hydrocotyle bonariensis is a significant folk medicinal herb with a clear and focused role in topical wound and skin care. Its chemical relationship to Centella asiatica suggests a plausible mechanism for its traditional efficacy. However, it remains a plant of external use only in contemporary practice, due to a lack of robust safety data for internal consumption and potential hepatotoxic risks associated with its genus. It serves as a valuable, locally-sourced vulnerary in its native regions but should not be considered an equivalent substitute for the more versatile and safer Centella asiatica without further specific research.

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Disclaimer:

The internal use of Hydrocotyle bonariensis is not recommended due to insufficient safety data and documented potential for idiosyncratic hepatotoxicity (liver damage) associated with some species in the Hydrocotyle genus. Topical use on unbroken skin is likely low-risk, but a patch test is advised. It should not be used by pregnant or breastfeeding women, individuals with liver conditions, or those taking hepatotoxic medications. This information is for academic and ethnobotanical interest only and does not constitute medical advice. For wound healing and cognitive support, the use of the well-researched Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola) is a far safer and more validated choice.

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8. Reference Books, Books for In-depth Study:

· Medicinal Plants of South Africa by Ben-Erik van Wyk et al.

· Brazilian Medicinal Plants by Luzia Modolo et al.

· African Ethnobotany: Poisons and Drugs by Hans Dieter Neuwinger.

· Phytochemistry of the Genus Hydrocotyle (Review articles in scientific journals).

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9. Further Study: Plants That Might Interest You Due to Similar Medicinal Properties

1. Centella asiatica (Gotu Kola/Mandukaparni)

· Species: Centella asiatica | Family: Apiaceae | Genus: Centella

· Similarities: The closest and most important relative. Both are used topically for wound healing and skin regeneration. However, Centella is extensively researched and safely used internally for cognitive function, anxiety, venous insufficiency, and as a general nervine tonic, making it vastly more versatile.

2. Plantago major (Broadleaf Plantain)

· Species: Plantago major | Family: Plantaginaceae | Genus: Plantago

· Similarities: Both are ubiquitous "weeds" used globally in folk medicine as a first-aid poultice for wounds, insect bites, and skin inflammation due to their soothing, antimicrobial, and vulnerary properties. They represent parallel discoveries in different plant families.

3. Aloe vera (Kumari)

· Species: Aloe vera | Family: Asphodelaceae | Genus: Aloe

· Similarities: Both are succulent plants prized primarily for topical application to burns, wounds, and inflammatory skin conditions. Both provide a cooling, soothing, and healing gel/pulp. Aloe vera has a much more established safety profile for both topical and limited internal use.

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