Han Lian Cao, False daisy

Eclipta prostrata

Physical Characteristics

Eclipta prostrata is a ANNUAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) by 0.6 m (2ft in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in flower in August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist or wet soil.

Distribution

Widely spread through the tropics and warm temperate zones, possibly originally native the temperate and tropical America.

Habitats

Bog Garden; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves Shoots Edible Uses: Tender leaves and young shoots - cooked and used as a vegetable[105, 177, 179, 254, 272].

Medicinal Uses

Antidote Antiseptic Astringent Depurative Eczema Emetic Febrifuge Odontalgic Ophthalmic Purgative Skin Stings Styptic Tonic This species is widely used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine, and in Ayurveda[238]. It is considered to be the best remedy for the hair and is also used as a rejuvenative and liver tonic[238, 254]. The whole plant contains the alkaloids nicotine and ecliptine as well as coumarin[283]. It is astringent, deobstruent, depurative, emetic, febrifuge, ophthalmic, purgative, styptic and tonic[147, 176, 178]. It is used internally in the treatment of dropsy and liver complaints[152], anaemia, diphtheria etc[238], tinnitus, tooth loss and premature greying of the hair[176]. Externally, it is used as an oil to treat hair loss and is also applied to athlete's foot, eczema, dermatitis, wounds etc[238, 254]. The plant juice, mixed with an aromatic (essential oil?), is used in the treatment of catarrhal problems and jaundice[243]. The leaves are used in the treatment of scorpion stings[243]. They are used as an antidote for snake bites in Korea[279]. The plant is harvested as it comes into flower and is dried for later use[238]. The roots are emetic and purgative[240]. They are applied externally as an antiseptic to ulcers and wounds, especially in cattle[240].

Known Hazards

None known