The vermifuge chenopod has been known in Central America for a very long time as tea (Mexico tea) and has been introduced in many tropical countries and became a officinal plant in France in 1949. It is the oil which is now used in Europe asan anthelmintic, especially in veterinary medicine.

In India and Madagascar, an infusion of the leaves of Centella asiatica has always been used to treat leprosy and other diseases of the skin. On the other hand, this plant has also been used as a diuretic and hypnotic.