This wild plant cures gray hair and stimulates hair growth.

In traditional medicine, Eclipta prostrata (also known as Eclipta alba) has a sweet and sour taste, a cooling nature, and acts on the liver and kidney meridians. It helps to cool and nourish the blood, support the liver and kidneys, stimulate hair growth, and prolong the hair growth phase.

Eclipta prostrata, also known as black ink grass, is a very common wild plant. When crushed, the leaves yield a black sap, which is why folk medicine has long associated it with the use of darkening hair.

According to Dr. Ngo Duc Phuong, Director of the Institute of Traditional Medicine, Eclipta alba is commonly used by crushing fresh leaves to extract juice or decocting dried herbs. In some areas, people crush the leaves to extract juice and apply it to their hair and scalp, believing that Eclipta alba helps to darken hair, reduce premature graying, decrease hair loss, and make hair stronger.

According to traditional medicine, Eclipta prostrata has a sweet and sour taste, a cooling nature, and acts on the liver and kidneys. It helps to cool and nourish the blood, and is related to hair. Eclipta prostrata contains wedelolacton, ecliptin, and flavonoids, which have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and liver-protective effects. Some experimental studies have shown that this plant can stimulate hair growth and prolong the hair growth phase.

Black nightshade plant. Photo: N. Huyen

The mechanism may involve reducing oxidative stress at the hair follicle, improving scalp microcirculation, and impacting the hair growth cycle.

"However, it's important to emphasize that there is no clear clinical evidence proving that drinking Eclipta alba extract will restore hair to its original color. Its main effect is to support and slow down the graying process and reduce hair loss, but it is not a hair dye or an instant hair color restorer," Dr. Phuong noted.

According to experts, people with low blood pressure and a cold constitution should use Eclipta alba in moderation and avoid prolonged use of high doses, and it should not replace treatment for pathological hair loss.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/loai-cay-moc-dai-chua-bac-dau-kich-thich-moc-toc-2518769.html