PEGAGA JUICE - HERBAL DRINKS WITH A TWIST

From shrimp cocktail we move to this healthy drinks called Pegaga / Pennywort Juice. Pegaga what we called in Bahasa Malaysia or it's scientific name centella asiatice is a polymorphous, creeping plant, rooting at nodes, with sometimes significant tap root, cylindrical and glabrous stems. Other names of pegaga including Centella asiatica (L.), Hydrocotyle asiatica, gotu kola, Indian pennywort (English), Mandukaparni (India), pegaga (Malaysia), and Ping Da Wa.

The Malays are fond of pegaga, which is either served raw as ulam or salad (and eaten with sambal belacan) or mixed with coconut and crushed fresh chillies as kerabu (salad).

The plant that grows in our garden is said to have medicinal properties and many Malays drink its juice daily for better health.

Water and sugar are added to the juice to offset the slightly bitter taste.

In fact, pegaga (scientific name Centella Asiatica) is an Ayurvedic herb and is also used in Chinese traditional medicine. In Vietnam and Thailand, the leaves are also eaten raw as either a salad or in spring rolls.- Source from Syida Lyzta Amirul. In short this plant is well known by most South East Asian.

Pegaga juice has cooling effect. Thus, it helps to reduce the heatiness in one's body, thus the fever will go away.In South East Asia pegaga is eaten as a salad. A rich source of vitamin K, magnesium and calcium, pegaga has been used in traditional Malay medicine for thousands of years to address a variety of ills. Pegaga helps alleviate fatigue and reduces the effects of depression and insomnia.

Because it increases brain function, the herb improves memory and concentration.Pegaga also improves circulation, strengthening veins and capillaries, reducing vascular inflammation, improving wound healing, and supporting the heart, liver and kidneys. It is also used to relieve the symptoms of colds and respiratory problems, strengthen the immune system, and treat leprosy.

Another benefit of centella asiatica is it seems to help overcome axiety and stress. It has the ability to relax the body and mind and balance the mood. Because of its sedative effect, it is also used as one of the remedies in overcoming insomnia. 

Once a while I made this drink I love the taste, with the ice cubes and the dark greenish color this drink really looks so  tempting. Those staying in Penang, you can easily have this drink from the cendol stall near Penang Road. Give a try, not only it is tasty but the most importantly this drink is a healthy drink. - (Most of the information here were extracted from the net.) Learn more about the benefits of pegaga from www.paulpenders.com

INGREDIENTS
2 handfuls pennywort, with stems pinched off / 2 gengam daun pegaga bersihkan dengan akar-akarnya sekali.
200ml boiling water / 200 ml boiling water
180g sugar or honey to taste / 180 g sugar or honey to taste

PREPARATIONS

1. If using sugar, make a simple syrup by dissolving the sugar in the boiling water the allow to cool completely./ Kalau menggunakan gula masak gula buat air sirap.
2. Add all the ingredients to a blender along with 5 or 6 ice cubes and water(as concentrated as you'd like), blend at high speed./ Masukkan bahan kedalam belender bersama beberapa ketulan ais. Blend pada kelajuan tinggi.
3. Then using a fine-mesh colander, strain out the leafy sludge. Taste and add syrup/honey or water if necessary/ Tapis dan masukkan air gula
4. Serve poured over ice. / Tuang ke atas ais 

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Pegaga bukan sahaja dimakan sebagai ulam-ulaman malah boleh dijadikan minuman. Herbal ini memang kaya dengan khasiatnya dan digalakkan memakan dan minum airnya sebagai penjagaan tubuh. Kita semua tahu bertapa hebatnya daun pegaga ini dan kini banyak kajian telah dijalankan bagi menggunakan pegaga sebagai salah satu bahan untuk produk kecantikan dan kesihatan. Apa pun yang dilakukan sebaik-baiknya jika kita bersesempatan memperolehi pegaga, ambil la peluang ini untuk kesihatan diri, blend airnya atau makan sebagai ulam.- Jus ini memang sedap!!!!

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Next Post - Talam Sapin-Sapin - Filipino Layer Kuih

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