False Daisy
See also: Eclipta (genus)
Wikipedia
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.
Other common names include kehraj (কেঁহৰাজ)in Assamese
and karisalaankanni (கரிசலாங்கண்ணி) in Tamil andkayyunni (കയ്യുന്നി) in Malayalam and 'माका' in Marathi.In {Kannada} Garugada soppu, keshavardhini, Bhringaraja
This plant has cylindrical, grayish roots. The solitary flower heads are 6–8 mm (0.24–0.31 in) in diameter, with white florets. The achenes are compressed and narrowly winged.
in Kerala, India
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.
The plant has traditional uses in Ayurveda. It is bitter, hot, sharp, dry in taste. In India it is known as bhangra (भांग्र),bhringaraj, bhrungraja 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.The various Sanskrit names of Eclipta Alba, i.e. Bhringraj, Bhringraja, Bhrungraja etc., are literally translated as the 'King of Hair', clearly referring to its traditional reputation in Ayurveda as an herb supporting hair growth.Some Ayurvedic hair oils incorporate Bhringraj as an ingredient.
It is reported to improve hair growth and color. A study in rats showed that petroleum ether extracts ofE.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.
Almost all of its parts are used in traditional system of medicine including seeds, roots and shoots and leaves. A number of phytochemical constituents have been isolated from the plants which possess pharmacological activities like antibacterial, antifungal, diuretic, antiinflammatory, hepatoprotective, anti-venomous, analgesic, anticancerous and various other important medicinal properties. Due to equal importance of the allopathic drugs as anti-hyperglycemic agent metformin is also used in treatment of the diabetes. Metformin, a biguanide derivative (dimethylbiguanide), is one of the most commonly used drugs for the treatment of type II diabetes, through increased insulin independent glucose uptake in peripheral muscle. Moreover, it can also increase glucose uptake in skeletal muscles. Furthermore, metformin is able to reverse insulin resistance and hyperglycemia in high risk subjects for type II diabetes mellitus Metformin has beneficial effects on lipid levels, so it is the first choice in the treatment of overweight people with type II diabetes
Ayurveda
In the Ayurvedic System, Eclipta Alba, as with all other herbs, is classified according to its qualities, taste, physiological effects, etc. Ayurveda states that it is: Taste – Katu (Bitter), Tikta (Pungent) Quality – Rooksha (Dry), Laghu (light to digest) Energy - Ushna (Hot) Post Digestive Effect - Pungent, i.e. undergoes a pungent taste conversion after digestion. According to Ayurveda, these qualities characterize the medicinal effects of Eclipta Alba on the body, and are expressed in Ayurvedic terms as balancing for Kapha, i.e. balancing for the moist and unctuous tissues and anabolic systems of the body such as fats and fluids, and balancing for Vata, i.e. the nervous system and catabolic functions.
Chemistry
Eclipta prostrata contains coumestans such as wedelolactone and demethylwedelolactone, polypeptides, polyacetylenes, thiophene derivatives, steroids, triterpenesand flavonoids.
Articles/Studies
Effect of Metformin Vs. Eclipta alba on Blood Glucose Level in Diabetic Patients
Eclipta alba extract protected the rat kidneys against gentamicin-induced renal tubular alteration.
Anti-breast tumor activity of Eclipta extract in-vitro and in-vivo.
Antifungal activity of Eclipta alba metabolites against sorghum pathogens.