Asiatic pennywort Toxic?

Updated 2026-03-06| 2 min read| 2,511 found this helpful

No confirmed animal poisoning cases from Centella asiatica consumption are recorded in peer-reviewed research

Despite low identified toxicity risk, the plant is unsuitable and not recommended for pet or livestock feed

It can be confused with both non-toxic and toxic visually similar plants, so accurate identification is critical

FAQ

Is Asiatic pennywort toxic to Humans?

No confirmed toxic symptoms reported in typical use; excessive intake may cause mild digestive upset (Non-toxic)

Is Asiatic pennywort toxic to Cats?

No confirmed poisoning symptoms reported; monitor for unusual digestive or behavioral changes if accidental ingestion occurs (Non-toxic)

Is Asiatic pennywort toxic to Dogs?

No confirmed poisoning symptoms reported; monitor for unusual digestive or behavioral changes if accidental ingestion occurs (Non-toxic)

Is Asiatic pennywort toxic to Horses?

No confirmed poisoning symptoms reported; monitor for unusual digestive or behavioral changes if accidental ingestion occurs (Non-toxic)

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Toxicity Details

Humans

Non-toxic

No confirmed toxic symptoms reported in typical use; excessive intake may cause mild digestive upset

Cats

Non-toxic

No confirmed poisoning symptoms reported; monitor for unusual digestive or behavioral changes if accidental ingestion occurs

Dogs

Non-toxic

No confirmed poisoning symptoms reported; monitor for unusual digestive or behavioral changes if accidental ingestion occurs

Horses

Non-toxic

No confirmed poisoning symptoms reported; monitor for unusual digestive or behavioral changes if accidental ingestion occurs

Toxicity Snapshot

Toxic PartsNo toxic parts confirmed via published animal poisoning reports; all plant parts are unsuitable for use as animal feed

Exposure RouteIngestion is the primary potential exposure route for adverse effects; skin contact is not associated with known toxicity risks

Toxic CompoundsNo specific toxic compounds linked to animal poisoning identified in available research

First Aid & Prevention

First 30 Minutes

• Remove any remaining plant material from the animal's mouth and surrounding area
• Rinse the animal's mouth with clean, cool water to remove residual plant matter
• Monitor the animal for immediate signs of distress including vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy

Contact Vet Immediately

• If the animal ingested large quantities of the plant
• If the animal displays persistent digestive upset, fatigue, or unusual behavioral changes after ingestion
• If you cannot confirm the ingested plant is Centella asiatica and suspect it may be a toxic lookalike

Prevention

• Store harvested Centella asiatica out of reach of pets and livestock
• Confirm the identity of all forage plants before allowing livestock access to grazing areas
• Learn to distinguish Centella asiatica from its toxic lookalike Glechoma hederacea to avoid accidental exposure

Treatment & Prognosis

• Supportive care including fluid therapy and symptom management for any observed adverse effects
• If ingestion of a toxic lookalike is confirmed, follow treatment protocols specific to that plant species

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Professional Toxicology

Scientific NameCentella asiatica (L.) Urb., synonym Hydrocotyle asiatica L.

AliasesPennywort、Asian pennywort、European water-marvel、Gotu kola

Toxicity Grade

HumansNon-toxic

CatsNon-toxic

DogsNon-toxic

HorsesNon-toxic

Target Organs

No specific target organs for toxicity identified in available research

Mechanism of Action

• No specific toxic mechanism identified, as no confirmed animal poisoning cases have been documented

Other Species Risk (CliniTox)

Information from CliniTox veterinary text.

Cattle, sheep, goats: No confirmed poisoning cases reported, but the plant is not recommended as a feed source due to limited long-term safety data

Small companion mammals (rabbits, guinea pigs): No formal toxicity data available; avoid feeding to small mammals to prevent unforeseen adverse effects

Confusion Risk

The following plants look similar and may be confused:

Creeping dichondra Dichondra micrantha

Visually similar low-growing ground cover; key difference: non-toxic, with smaller, rounder leaves that lack the distinct venation of Centella asiatica

Ground ivy Glechoma hederacea

Visually similar trailing ground cover; key difference: toxic to animals, with scalloped leaf edges and small purple flowers not produced by Centella asiatica

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Related Toxic Plants

Heracleum mantegazzianum

High toxicity

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Data Sources

1. CliniTox (Universität Zürich)

This information is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice. If ingestion or poisoning is suspected, seek medical or veterinary attention immediately.