Eclipta (Mo Han Lian)

墨旱蓮
Eclipta (Mohanlian)

Pharmaceutical Name: Herba Ecliptae

Botanical Name: Eclipta prostrata L.

Common Name: Eclipta

Source of Earliest Record: Xinxiu Bencao

Part Used: The aerial parts of the plant are gathered in early autumn, dried in the sun and cut into pieces.

Natural Properties & Taste: Sweet, sour and cold

Meridians: Liver and kidney

Therapeutic Effects:
1. To nourish yin and tonify the kidneys.

2. To cool the blood and stop bleeding.

Indications & Combinations:

1. Deficient yin of the liver and kidneys manifested as early graying of hair, dizziness, vertigo and blurred vision. Eclipta (Mohanlian) is used with Grossy privet fruit (Nuzhenzi) in the formula Erzhi Wan.

2. Deficient yin with internal heat causing extravasation of blood manifested as vomiting with blood, epistaxis, hematuria, bloody stool and uterine bleeding. Eclipta (Mohanlian) is used with Fresh rehmannia root (Shengdihuang), Donkey hide gelatin (Ejiao), Imperata rhizome (Baimaogen) and Cattail pollen (Puhuang).

3. Hemorrhage due to external injuries. Eclipta (Mohanlian) is used alone for external use to stop bleeding.

Dosage: 10-15 g (double dosage for the fresh herb)

Cautions & Contraindications: This herb is contraindicated in cases with diarrhea due to cold and deficiency of the spleen and stomach.