What it is:
Pennywort Drink is made from water, pennywort (Centella asiatica) leaves extract, sugar, and citric acid. I found out that pennywort is a swamp plant, which explains its flavor. Pennywort contains vitamins A, G, K, and magnesium. It has been believed to promote longevity in China for centuries. My analysis is that if you are willing to drink that, you really really want to live, anyway. It has been reported to give the same effects as ginseng. "One website posts that large doses may cause headache and even induce coma. They say it is not for domestic use, but it is a natural antibiotic that has been used to treat leprosy."
According to another source, it has been used to cure leprosy, cancer, skin disorders, arthritis, hemorrhoids, tuberculosis, skin inflammations, depression, high blood pressure, fever, congestion, phlebitis, leg cramps, swelling of the legs, heaviness or tingling in the legs, mental fatigue, senility, bowel problems, rheumatism, venous insufficiency, localized inflammation and infection, post-surgery recovery, open wounds, sores, ulcers, radiation ulcers, bed sores, varicose veins, cellulite, edema, lesions during pregnancy, delivery and obstetric manipulations, and episiotomy tears.
Review:
Pennywort is the most disgusting drink I have ever had. It tastes like a cross between spinach and asparagus with sugar added. It also has a nice swampy aftertaste. It has a strange syrupy texture and is a dark greenish murky color, kind of like pond water. If I didn't know any better, I'd think it *was* pond water. It's not carbonated, and tastes kind of like grass jelly but much worse. It gave me a stomach ache and made my tongue itch and burn. I don't know if that's normal or just an allergic reaction I'm having. It was bottled by FOCO in Thailand. If you disagree or just want to try it out for yourself, most Asian groceries have them or you can order them online. The brand I got is distributed by www.thaiagra.com
Sources:
www.thaiagra.com
www.exoticsoda.com/penny.html
http://spoon_si.tripod.com/animetreats/id4.html
http://www.ageless.co.za/pennywort.htm