Pharmacological activities of Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk. (Bhringaraja): A Review

Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk, family: Asteraceae (Bhringaraja) is traditionally used in medicaments in Asian countries including Sri Lanka. Pharmaceutical products containing Eclipta alba (E.alba) have been used for different kinds of diseases and it had been mentioned in different types of prescriptions in Authentic texts in Ayurveda (Samhitha Grantha). Objective of this review is to discuss about the pharmacological activities and provides an integrated, synthesized overview of the current state of knowledge on E. alba with Ayurvedic and traditional knowledge. Data collected from Ayurveda texts, research papers, peer-reviewed indexed scientific journals, and authentic websites. E. alba is a small branched perennial herb, found in sandy and clay soils as waterlogged areas. E. alba has hepatoprotective, hair growth promoting, antidiabetic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, neuropharmacological, antioxidant, antimicrobial, cardiovascular, immunomodulatory, anti-epilepsy, anti-venom, anticancer, antiulcer, anthelmintic, and anti-hyperlipidemic properties. The reason for these properties is stated to be its major chemical compounds such as wedelolactone, dimethyl wedeloctone, ecliptic, etc. Therapeutic actions such as relieving swelling (Sothahara), relieving pains (Vedana Sthapana), purifying wounds (Vrana shodhana), wound healing (Vrana ropaṇa), giving normal colour to body parts (Sa-varṇakaraṇa), improving vision (Chakshushya), promoting hair growth (Keshavardhana), giving normal black to hair (Kesha ranjana) etc. have been mentioned in Samhitha Grantha and Ayurveda pharmacopeia.