Last update March 21, 2025

Indian Pennywort

Likely Compatibility

Fairly safe. Mild or unlikely adverse effects. Compatible under certain circumstances. Follow-up recommended. Read Commentary.

The dried and fragmented aerial parts of this plant are used. It contains triterpene saponins (asiaticoside and madecassoside), tannins, phytosterols and essential oil. Properties attributed as topical (with some clinical evidence): healing, venotonic (Fitoterapia.net, Martinez 2016, EMA 2010, WHO 1999). There is no evidence of effective oral uses. 

At the date of last update we found no published data on its excretion in breast milk.

Regular or excessive consumption of triterpenes may cause hepatotoxicity. (Philips 2024, Haslan 2015,  Bunchorntavakul 2013, Dantuluri 2011, Chitturi 2008, Jorge 2005)

Given little or no systemic absorption through skin or vaginal mucosa (EMA 2010), topical use would be compatible with breastfeeding.

Avoid application to the breast or clean it well to prevent ingestion by the infant. Avoid oral administration.

Suggestions made at e-lactancia are done by APILAM team of health professionals, and are based on updated scientific publications. It is not intended to replace the relationship you have with your doctor but to compound it. The pharmaceutical industry contraindicates breastfeeding, mistakenly and without scientific reasons, in most of the drug data sheets.

Jose Maria Paricio, Founder & President of APILAM/e-Lactancia

Your contribution is essential for this service to continue to exist. We need the generosity of people like you who believe in the benefits of breastfeeding.

Thank you for helping to protect and promote breastfeeding.

José María Paricio, founder of e-lactancia.

Groups

Indian Pennywort belongs to these groups or families:

Tradenames

Main tradenames from several countries containing Indian Pennywort in its composition:

References

  1. Fitoterapia.net. Vanaclocha B, Cañigueral S. Fitoterapia.net. 1992 - - Disponible en: https://www.fitoterapia.net. Consulted on March 12, 2025 Abstract
  2. Philips CA, Theruvath AH. A comprehensive review on the hepatotoxicity of herbs used in the Indian (Ayush) systems of alternative medicine. Medicine (Baltimore). 2024 Apr 19;103(16):e37903. Abstract Full text (link to original source)
  3. Martinez-Zapata MJ, Vernooij RW, Uriona Tuma SM, Stein AT, Moreno RM, Vargas E, Capellà D, Bonfill Cosp X. Phlebotonics for venous insufficiency. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2016 Abstract
  4. Haslan H, Suhaimi FH, Das S. Herbal Supplements and Hepatotoxicity: A Short Review. Nat Prod Commun. 2015 Oct;10(10):1779-84. Review. Abstract
  5. Bunchorntavakul C, Reddy KR. Review article: herbal and dietary supplement hepatotoxicity. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2013 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  6. Dantuluri S, North-Lewis P, Karthik SV. Gotu Kola induced hepatotoxicity in a child - need for caution with alternative remedies. Dig Liver Dis. 2011 Abstract
  7. Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (HMPC). Assessment report on Centella asiatica. EMA/HMPC. 2010 Full text (in our servers)
  8. Chitturi S, Farrell GC. Hepatotoxic slimming aids and other herbal hepatotoxins. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2008 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  9. Jorge OA, Jorge AD. Hepatotoxicity associated with the ingestion of Centella asiatica. Rev Esp Enferm Dig. 2005 Abstract Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)
  10. WHO. World Health Organization. Geneva. WHO monographs on selected medicinal plants. Volume I. WHO monographs 1999 Full text (link to original source) Full text (in our servers)

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