Eclipta Prostrata Han Lian Cao

Pinyin: Han Lian Cao Latin: Eclipta Prostrata

Physical Characteristics

Eclipta Prostrata or Han Lian Cao is an annual growing to 0.6m by 0.6m hardy to zone 9 and flowers in August. The Eclipta flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) and requires moist or wet soil.

Family

Compositae

Edible Uses*

Edible Parts: Leaves.*

The tender leaves and young shoots of Han Lian Cao are cooked and used as a vegetable[105, 177, 179, 254, 272].*

Traditional Chinese Medicinal (TCM) Uses:*

Eclipta Prostrata or Han Lian Cao is widely used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine, and in Ayurveda[238].*

Eciplta Prostrata is considered to be the best remedy for the hair and is also used as a rejuvenative and liver tonic[238, 254].*

The whole Eclipata Prostrata plant contains the alkaloids nicotine and ecliptine as well as coumarin[283]. Eclipta Prostrata is astringent, deobstruent, depurative, emetic, febrifuge, ophthalmic, purgative, styptic and tonic[147, 176, 178].*

Eclipta Prostrata or Han Lian Cao is used internally in the treatment of dropsy and liver complaints[152], anemia, diphtheria etc[238], tinnitus, tooth loss and premature greying of the hair[176]. Externally, Eclipta is used as an oil to treat hair loss and is also applied to athlete's foot, eczema, dermatitis, wounds etc[238, 254].*

The Han Lian Cao plant juice, mixed with an aromatic, 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 Eclipta Prostrata 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].*

Other Uses*

A black dye is obtained from the plant[238] used as a hair dye and for tattooing[238].*

References

• [105] Tanaka. T.Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976
• [147] ?A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press 0 ISBN 0-914294-92-X
• [152] Lassak. E. V. and McCarthy. T.Australian Medicinal Plants. 0
• [176] Yeung. Him-Che.Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985
• [177] Kunkel. G.Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984 ISBN 3874292169
• [178] Stuart. Rev. G. A.Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 0
• [179] Reid. B. E.Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977
• [238] Bown. D.Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
• [240] Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C.Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986
• [243] Medicinal Plants of Nepal Dept. of Medicinal Plants. Nepal. 1993
• [254] Chevallier. A.The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148
• [272] Manandhar. N. P.Plants and People of Nepal Timber Press. Oregon. 2002 ISBN 0-88192-527-6
• [279] Medicinal Plants in the Republic of Korea World Health Organisation, Manila 1998 ISBN 92 9061 120 0
• [283] Nguyen Van Dan & Doan Thi NhuMedicinal Plants in Vietnam World Health Organisation 1989 ISBN 92 9061 101 4

Source: Eclipta Prostrata Han Lian Cao Plants For A Future, England 1996-2008.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

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