The Materia Medica of the Hindus, compiled from Sanskrit Medical Works c5.s12.t6.4

c5.s12.t6.4

THERE is some confusion between the Sanskrit and vernacular names of Wedelia calendulacea, and Eclipta prostrata. Both these plants are called kesaráj or kesuriá in Bengali, and the two Sanskrit names of bhringarája and kesarája are used as synonyms. The Hindustani term bhángrá, derived from the Sanskrit bhringarája is however generally applied to Wedelia calendulacea, and this is the plant used in medicine at present. The leaves, which have a slight camphoraceous taste, are considered tonic, alterative, and useful in cough, cephalalgia, skin diseases and alopecia. The juice of the leaves is much used as a snuff in cephalalgia, and in soaking various sorts of powders for the preparation of pills.¹ "In tattooing the natives after puncturing the skin, rub the juicy green leaves of *Eclipta prostrata* over the part; which gives the desired indelible colour, namely a deep bluish black." The leaves of both these plants are used in various ways for the purpose of dyeing grey hair and for promoting the growth of hair.