Eclipta Alba (Eclipta prostrata), also known as Bhringraj or False Daisy, is a sprawling annual with small white daisy-like flowers and narrow, slightly rough leaves that have been central to Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. It is a modest-looking plant that does not announce itself visually - small flowers, spreading habit, unremarkable foliage - but its importance in the traditional medicine of India, China, and Southeast Asia is extraordinary, particularly in the context of hair and liver health in folk tradition.

Growing Information
Eclipta Alba thrives in full sun to partial shade and moist to wet soil - it is native to moist, disturbed ground, field edges, and stream banks across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. Unlike most medicinal herbs, it actually tolerates and appreciates consistently wet conditions. Grows as an annual in Missouri, completing its life cycle in one season and self-seeding in favorable conditions. Plants reach 12-24 inches, spreading low and wide. Keep consistently moist for best growth.

Traditional Use
Eclipta Alba, known as Bhringraj in Ayurvedic medicine, holds one of the most significant positions of any plant in the Indian herbal tradition. It has been used for centuries in Ayurveda, particularly in traditional preparations for hair health and liver support. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it is known as Han Lian Cao and has been used for over a thousand years. Contemporary herbalists working with Ayurvedic and East Asian traditions value the whole plant, harvested at peak flowering. It is considered a rasayana - a rejuvenating herb - in the Ayurvedic classification system.

Care on Arrival
Water well upon arrival and keep consistently moist - Eclipta Alba does not tolerate drying out. Settle in a bright location before transplanting. Plant after your last frost date in moist soil, in a spot that stays consistently damp. This is one of the few medicinal herbs that genuinely benefits from a wetter planting site. Mulch generously to retain soil moisture. Water consistently through the season. The plant will self-seed if conditions are favorable, providing a continuous garden presence.

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If Eclipta Alba appeals to you, explore other Ayurvedic herbs: Ashwagandha is the most important rasayana in the tradition, and Holy Basil (Tulsi) is another foundational Ayurvedic plant. For other plants with significant traditional Chinese herbal use, add Astragalus and Baical Skullcap. Boneset shares its preference for moist conditions.

At Zenobia's Garden, every plant is grown on our 8-acre farm in Perry County, Missouri - tended by hand with attention to soil health, plant vitality, and botanical integrity. We grow medicinal herbs because we believe in them, and we want the plants that leave our farm to thrive in yours. Questions about your order or your plants? Reach us at susan@zenobiasgarden.com - we're growers first, and we're happy to help.