Eclipta prostrata - Han Lian Cao

Family:	Compositae
Habit:	Annual
Height:	0.6
Width:	0.6
Synonyms:	E. alba. (L.)Hassk.
Range:	E. Asia - China, Japan and Korea to Australia.

Eclipta prostrata (Han Lian Cao) is a Annual which grows to a height of 0.6m and a width of 0.6m . It has a hardness rating of 9.
Han Lian Cao will flower in February. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Han Lian Cao will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Han Lian Cao prefers soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Wet places in the lowlands of Japan, especially by paddy fields[58].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Can be planted in Cultivated Beds
• A bog garden plant

Cultivation Details

Requires a damp to wet soil and a position in some shade[238]. This is a tropical species and it might need more summer heat and a longer growing season than is normally available in British summers[K].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 1/5
Tender leaves and young shoots - cooked and used as a vegetable[105, 177, 179, 254, 272].

• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 3/5
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 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].

• Antiseptic - Preventing sepsis, decay or putrefaction, it destroys or arrests the growth of micro-organisms.
• Astringent - Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
• Depurative - Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.
• Emetic - Induces vomiting.
• Febrifuge - Reduces fevers.
• Ophthalmic - Treats eye complaints.
• Purgative - A drastic laxative causing a cleansing or watery evacuation of the bowels, usually with a griping pain.
• Styptic - An astringent that stops bleeding by contracting the blood vessels.
• Tonic - Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer, after the last expected frosts. Give the plants some extra protection, such as a cloche, until they are established and growing away well.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

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

• Dye - Plants that provide dyes.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Flora Europaea
?
Author: ?
Rating:
Publisher : An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1964

Flora of Japan. (English translation)
Ohwi. G.
Author: Ohwi. G.
Rating:
Publisher : The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.
Date of Publication : 1965

DISCLAIMER: All information published on AussieGardening.com.au is for entertainment purposes only. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained here with other sources. The information is not intended to replace medical advice offered by doctors or dietary advice by dieticians. AussieGardening.com.au will not be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, exemplary, or other damages arising therefrom.