Common Name : Bhangra
Plant Parts Used : Seeds, Juice of leaves, Herb, Oil

Description :
This annual herb has a short, flat or round stem, deep brown in colour. Serrate leaves are opposite and sessile to subsessile. Small penny-size flowers, white in colour are on a long stalk.

Characteristics and Constituents :
Reducing sugars and sterols have been detected. From leaves and stems, wedelolactone has been isolated in crystalline form. Stigmasterol and L-terthienyl methanol have been identified. ?-amyrin and 7-desmethyl wedelolactone- 7 -glucoside have also been isolated. Wedelic acid, apigenin, luteolin and the glucosides of the latter two have been isolated.

Actions and Uses :
Eclipta alba protected guinea pigs against the mortality induced by Carbon Tetrachloride - liver damage. In the control group 77.7% animals died wheras in E. alba-treated group only 22.3% died within 24 hours. Serum transaminases were also significantly lower in the treated group. Histopathology of liver also showed a reduction in parenchymal damage. There were similar findings in rabbits too. Only with fairly large doses in vitro the extract of E. alba showed negative inotropic and chronotropic effects. The alcoholic extract of the plant has shown antiviral activity against Ranikhet disease virus. Tranquilising action has been shown.
For healthy black and long hair the plant is commonly used in hair oil all over India. The fresh juice of leaves is used for increasing appetite, improving digestion and as a mild bowel regulator. It is commonly used in viral hepatitis to promote bile flow and protect the parenchyma. It is popularly used to enhance memory and learning. The plant has a reputation as an antiaging agent in ayurveda. It is also used as a general tonic for debility. Externally it is used for inflammation, minor cuts and burns and the fresh leaf-juice is considered very effective in stopping bleeding. Leaf juice mixed with honey is also used for children with upper respiratory infection. It is used in eye and ear infections.
In the doses and formulations commonly used no adverse reactions have been reported. Only with large doses of the aqueous extract in animals a cardiodepressant effect was observed.