Ethnobotanical Perspectives of Eclipta alba with Special Reference to India: A Critical Review

Abstract

Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk., commonly known as Bhringaraj or false daisy, is a pantropical herb of the family Asteraceae that occupies a position of exceptional prominence in Indian traditional medicine. Embedded within the classical frameworks of Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani, as well as the living folk traditions of hundreds of tribal and rural communities across the subcontinent, the plant has served generations of practitioners as a versatile therapeutic resource. This critical narrative review synthesises ethnobotanical documentation, phytochemical characterisation, and pharmacological evidence pertaining to E. alba, with particular emphasis on its traditional uses across the diverse ecological and cultural landscapes of India. The plant's bioactive chemistry is dominated by wedelolactone, a coumestan-class polyphenolic lactone, alongside eclalbatin, ecliptine, luteolin, apigenin, and an array of triterpenoid saponins and phytosterols. These constituents underpin a well-documented pharmacological profile encompassing hepatoprotective, hair growth–promoting, anti-inflammatory, anticonvulsant, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities. Ethnobotanical surveys confirm consistent use of the plant for liver ailments, alopecia, skin disorders, venomous bites, and neurological complaints across geographically and culturally distant communities, with considerable convergence between classical textual records and field-documented folk knowledge. The review further considers cross-cultural perspectives from Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Americas, and evaluates emerging concerns regarding habitat pressure, unsustainable harvesting, bioprospecting, and the protection of associated traditional knowledge. Despite encouraging convergences between traditional use and pharmacological findings, critical gaps remain in clinical validation, phytochemical standardisation, and mechanistic elucidation. The review calls for integrated, interdisciplinary research that bridges ethnobotanical knowledge with rigorous biomedical investigation, whilst safeguarding the biocultural heritage this species represents.