According to a patent filed by Avon, eclipta prostrata extract is used as an astringent, emetic, anti-inflammatory, and liver treatment, as well as to delaying hair graying. Externally, oil of the plant has been used to treat eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, herpes zoster, neurodermatitis, and wounds.
Marketing of Eclipta Prostrata
Eclipta prostrata extract is marketed as a hair growth tonic and is used in anti-cellulite creams. Only anecdotal evidence supports its use as a hair growth stimulator and Avon owns the patent for its use in anti-cellulite creams. However, according to suppliers of eclipta extract, this ingredient functions as a natural cosmetic colorant “without any form of synthetic lake or artificial color additive being added at any stage during its development.” It’s listed as being used for makeup instead of skincare.
Antibacterial and antifungal effects of Eclipta Prostrata extract
According to one study, where Eclipta Prostrata Extract was tested against the bacteria Staphylococcus
aureus, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the fungi Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger by agar plate disc diffusion method, the antimicrobial screening revealed that the extracts exhibited moderate antibacterial activity against bacteria, however, the extracts shown good antifungal activity nearer to the activity of standard drug (clotrimazole).
Anti-inflammatory effects of Eclipta Prostrata extract
The extracts Eclipta alba (Astraceae) leaves were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activity using carrageenan-induced rat paw oedema method in albino rats. Both 100 and 200 mg/kg doses of the extracts demonstrated considerable anti-inflammatory activity. The ethanol extract at 200mg/kg dose have shown better anti-inflammatory response among the study doses.
Sources
Evaluation of Anti -Inflammatory Activity of Eclipta alba in rats.
Patent by Avon, for products containing this extract for use on cellulite: “Use of eclipta prostrata and other ppar-gamma inhibitors in cosmetics and compositions thereof.”
Chevallier, A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley; London 1996
Medicinal Plants of Nepal. Dept. of Medicinal Plants, Nepal, 1993
Animal study: Anti-inflammatory activity of methanolic extract of Eclipta prostrata L. (Astearaceae)