ABSTRACT
Synonyms: Eclipta alba (L.) Haask.; E. erecta L.; E. marginiata Boiss.; E. punctata L.; Verbesina alba L.; V. prostrata L. (basionym); de (HH2; USN).
Notes: Frequent users of the PubMed database by now realize that they need to search under old and new scientic names of the plant. It’s amazing the difference between the results of a search on E. alba and a search on E. prostrata, both adding a lot of material to this update. It’s a pantropical weed that’s looking more and more interesting, even loaded with nicotine, and apparently really useful in snake bite. Chinese and Indians say it will dye gray hair black, and Chinese suggest it makes the hair grow. I’m ready to volunteer for clinical trials. Since it is also a food plant I need it for the Green Farmacy Garden, though it is reported as a weed, even here in Maryland (along ditch banks and in waste places throughout). I’ve been looking for two years and overlooked it so far. It’s one of those things you can’t nd when you want it.
