Eclipta prostrata
Eclipta prostrata | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Eudicots |
(unranked): | Asterids |
Order: | Asterales |
Family: | Asteraceae |
Genus: | Eclipta |
Species: | E. prostrata |
Binomial name | |
Eclipta prostrata (L.) L.[1] | |
Synonyms[2] | |
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Eclipta prostrata commonly known as false daisy, yerba de tago, and bhringraj, is a species of plant in the sunflower family. It is widespread across much of the world.[2][3][4][5]
Other common names include kehraj in Assamese and karisalaankanni (கரிசலாங்கண்ணி) in Tamil and kayyunni (കയ്യുന്നി) in Malayalam and 'माका' in Marathi.
This plant has cylindrical, grayish roots. The solitary flower heads are 6–8 mm in diameter, with white florets. The achenes are compressed and narrowly winged.
This species grows commonly in moist places as a weed in warm temperate to tropical areas worldwide. It is widely distributed throughout India, China, Thailand, and Brazil.
Traditional uses
The plant has traditional uses in Ayurveda. It is bitter, hot, sharp, dry in taste. In India it is known as bhangra (भांग्र), bhringaraj, and bhringraja. Wedelia calendulacea is known by the same names, so the white-flowered E. alba is called white bhangra and the yellow-flowered W. calendulacea is called yellow bhangra.[6]
It is reported to improve hair growth and color.[7][8] A study in rats showed that petroleum ether extracts of E. prostrata decreased the amount of time it took for hair to begin regrowing and to fully regrow in shaved albino rats. The result of treatment with E. prostrata was better than the positive control, 2% minoxidil.[9]
Chemistry
Eclipta prostrata contains coumestans such as wedelolactone and demethylwedelolactone, polypeptides, polyacetylenes, thiophene derivatives, steroids, triterpenes and flavonoids.
References
- ↑ "Eclipta prostrata (L.) L.". The Plant List version 1.1. Retrieved 26 January 2014.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Flann, C (ed) 2009+ Global Compositae Checklist
- ↑ Flora of North America Vol. 21 Page 128 Eclipta Linnaeus, Mant. Pl. 157, 286. 1771.
- ↑ Flora of China Vol. 20-21 Page 869 鳢肠 li chang Eclipta prostrata (Linnaeus) Linnaeus, Mant. Pl. 2: 286. 1771.
- ↑ Altervista Flora Italiana, Falsa margherita , false daisy, tattoo plant, Eclipta prostrata (L.) L.
- ↑ Puri, H. S. 2003. Rasayana: Ayurvedic Herbs for Longevity and Rejuvenation. Taylor & Francis, London. pages 80–85.
- ↑ Kritikar, KR., Basu, BD. 1975. Chronica Botanica Indian Medicinal plants. New Delhi
- ↑ Chopra, RN., Nayar, SL., Chopra, IC.,1955. Glossary of Indian Medicinal plants. C.S.I.R., New Delhi
- ↑ Roy, R. K.; Thakur, M.; Dixit, V. K. (2008). "Hair growth promoting activity of Eclipta alba in male albino rats". Archives of Dermatological Research 300 (7): 357–364. doi:10.1007/s00403-008-0860-3. PMID 18478241.
Further reading
- Everitt, J.H.; Lonard, R.L.; Little, C.R. (2007). Weeds in South Texas and Northern Mexico. Lubbock: Texas Tech University Press. ISBN 0-89672-614-2
- Caldecott, Todd (2006). Ayurveda: The Divine Science of Life. Elsevier/Mosby. ISBN 0-7234-3410-7.
External links
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