Eclipta alba
Synonyms
No documentation
Vernacular Name
False daisy, eclipta, maka, yerba de tago.
Description
Eclipta alba or false daisy has been used throughout the world for a number of reasons such as a medicinal for liver health, as a dye and in the art of tattooing.
This erect, glabrous, branched annual produces small white hermaphrodite flowers. It grows well in semi-shaded areas such as woodlands and prefers moist soil evidenced by its flourishing in rice paddies in Japan.
Origin / Habitat
E. alba is commonly known as a weed that grows readily throughout tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. This plant thrives in wetlands and riverbanks.
Chemical Constituents
E. alba contains three major coumestans: norwedelolactone, wedelolactone, and demethylwedelolactone. Also, flavonoids, steroids, triterpenoids, polyacetylenes, and thiophene derivatives.[1],[2],[3]
Plant Part Used
Leaf and sometimes root.
Medicinal Uses
General
Liver Tonic
Cholesterol
Inflammation
Memory
Diarrhea
Most Frequently Reported Uses
Liver Tonic
Cholesterol
Dosage
Dosage Range
3-6g Powder, 4-12mL infusion in divided dosages.
Most Common Dosage
2 mL infusion three times daily.
Standardization Dosage
No standardization known.
Pharmacology
Pre-clinical
E. alba is astringent, emetic, febrifuge, purgative and tonic.[1] Actual clinical work on E. alba is limited with only a few small pilot studies published in the literature. However its traditional use has been further verified and investigated in animal studies. These studies have shown positive results for E. alba as having hepatoprotective properties[4], anti-aggressive neurological effects,[5] positive effect on memory[6], anti-inflammatory properties and analgesic properties.[7]
Clinical
In one small clinical study of mildly hypertensive males aged 45 to 50, E. alba users showed a reduction in mean arterial pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, plasma lipid peroxides and LDL fraction. Its use also resulted in an increased urine output.[8]
Interaction and Depletions
Interaction with other Herbs
No documentation
Interaction with Drugs
Based on pharmacology, do not use in combination with diuretics or medications for hypertension.
Based on preliminary research, not to be used in combination with medications for cholesterol as it may alter testing results.
Precautions and Contraindications
Side effects
Not to be used by those with high blood pressure without supervision of a medical professional.
Pregnancy
Not to be used by pregnant or nursing women.
Age limitation
Not to be used by children.
Adverse reaction
E. alba has little research to support its use or to evaluate its potential for adverse events. However, it is generally considered safe when used as directed.
Read more
1) Ayuverda
References
- Premila, M.S. Ayurvedic Herbs: A Clinical Guide to the Healing Plants of Traditional Indian Medicine. Binghamton, NY: The Hayworth Press; 2006.
- Upadhyay RK, Pandey MB, Jha RN, Pandey VB.Eclalbatin, a triterpene saponin from Eclipta alba. J Asian Nat Prod Res. 2001;3(3):213-217.
- Nadkarni AK, Indian Materia Medica, Volume 1. 3rd Edition. Bombay: Popular Prakashan Pvt. Ltd;1982.
- Singh B, Saxena AK, Chandan BK, Agarwal SG, Anand KK.In vivo hepatoprotective activity of active fraction from ethanolic extract of Eclipta alba leaves. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. Oct 2001;45(4):435-441.
- Lobo OJ, Banji D, Annamalai AR, Manavalan R. Evaluation of antiagessive activity in Eclipta alba in experimental animals. Pak J Pharm Sci. Apr 2008;21(2):195-199.
- Banji O, Banji D, Annamalai AR, Manavalan R. Investigation on the effect of clipta alba on animal models of learning and memory. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. Jul-Sep 2007;51(3):274-278.
- Sawant M, Isaac JC, Narayanan S. Analgesic studies on total alkaloids and alcohol extracts of Eclipta alba (Linn.) Hassk. Phytother Res. Feb 2004;18(2):111-113.
- Rangineni V, Sharada D, Saxena S. Diuretic, hypotensive, and hypocholesterolemic effects of Eclipta alba in mild hypertensive subjects; a pilot study. J Med Food. Mar 2007;10(1):143-148.
