Eclipta prostrata
False daisy
Eclipta prostrata, commonly known as False Daisy or Bhringraj, is a versatile medicinal herb widely used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Renowned for its potent hair-growth properties and skin-healing benefits, this plant contains bioactive compounds that offer antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects, making it a vital botanical remedy worldwide.
- Scientific name: Eclipta prostrata
- Family: Asteraceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it falls under the order Asterales and is a member of the Asteraceae family. Taxonomically, it is specifically identified under the genus Eclipta.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Asterales | WCVP |
| Family | Asteraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Eclipta | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Eclipta prostrata, is recognized by various regional names across different cultures and languages. In Hindi, it is commonly referred to as भृङ्गराज, while in Chinese, it is known as 鳢肠 (zh-hans), 鱧腸 (zh-hant), or 鱧腸 (zh-hk). Additionally, in Javanese, the plant is called Orang-aring.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| hi | भृङ्गराज | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 鳢肠 | Wikidata |
| zh-hant | 鱧腸 | Wikidata |
| zh-hk | 鱧腸 | Wikidata |
| jv | Orang-aring | Wikidata |
| su | Urang aring | Wikidata |
| ko | 한련초 | Wikidata |
| ta | கரிசலாங்கண்ணி | Wikidata |
| th | กะเม็ง | Wikidata |
| ms | Urang-aring | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a varied geographical distribution across several regions of the European continent. In Middle Europe, its presence has been documented within the territories of Czechia and Slovakia. Moving toward the Mediterranean, it can be found in the southwestern reaches of Europe. Specifically, it inhabits the Balearic Islands, France, and Portugal. Additionally, the species is also distributed across the island of Sardegna.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Baleares | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | France | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Portugal | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Sardegna | WCVP |
| Southwestern Europe | Spain | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Albania | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Bulgaria | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Greece | WCVP |
| Southeastern Europe | Italy | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Eclipta prostrata, is a versatile medicinal herb where various components are utilized for therapeutic purposes. The whole plant is often employed in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, and even the whole plant extract is frequently used in topical applications or decoctions to harness its full spectrum of bioactive compounds. Specifically, the leaf and the individual leaves are highly valued for their medicinal potency, often being crushed or boiled to create healing remedies. Additionally, the seed serves as another significant part of the plant, contributing to its overall pharmacological profile.- Total parts
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 20
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaf | 6 | ★★★☆☆ |
| whole plant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| whole plant extract | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| seed | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| plant tops | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leave | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf surfaces | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| barks | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Eclipta prostrata has 49 reported phytochemicals identified across 62 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include wedelolactone, Wedelolactone, acetone, chlorogenic acid, demethylwedelolactone.
- Total chemicals
- 49
- Scientific sources
- 62
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| wedelolactone | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Wedelolactone | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| acetone | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chlorogenic acid | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| demethylwedelolactone | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ethyl acetate | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| methanol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| steroids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| triterpenes | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Eclipta prostrata has 26 reported activities identified across 47 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hepatoprotective, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antioxidant, Antihyperglycemic.
- Total activities
- 26
- Scientific sources
- 47
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatoprotective | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperglycemic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anthelmintic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cytotoxic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hypolipidemic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Neuroprotective | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Eclipta prostrata has 56 reported medicinal uses identified across 62 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include asthma, atopic dermatitis, cancer, dementia, obesity.
- Total uses
- 56
- Scientific sources
- 62
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| asthma | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| atopic dermatitis | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| dementia | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| obesity | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| respiratory diseases | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| AIDS | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ATPase | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Atopic Dermatitis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| E. coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |