Bhringraj

Bhringraj is creeping herb about 3mt in height. It is annual, erect and branched herb often rooting at nodes. This herb has white colored flowers with long stalk is placed on short, flat and rounded stem. Leaves are opposite, sessile and lance shaped. Well-developed roots of this plant are cylindrical and grayish in color. Floral heads are white in color, solitary, winged narrowly and about 6-8mm in diameter. This plant is moisture loving and grows in moist places throughout world.

Habitat

Brhingraj (Eclipta abla) herb is native of India and Southwest America. The herb occur as a weed and found throughout India in paddy growing fields. In many parts of India it is grown for medicinal purposes. It is also found in China and Brazil.

Classification

Kingdom
Plantae

Family
Asteraceae

Order
Asterales

Vernacular Names

Latin– Eclipta Alba
Common– False daisy
Hindi– Bhangra, Bhangaraiya
Kannada– Garagada soppu, Garga
Telugu– Kayanthakara, Kaikeshi
Marathi– Maka

Gujarati– Bhangaro
Bengali– Kesuriya
Punjabi– Bhangra
Malayalam– Jala bhangara, Tekaraja
Arabic– Kadimulabit

Ayurvedic Properties

Hindi / Sanskrit		English
Rasa	Katu, Tikta	Taste	Pungent, Bitter
Guna	Laghu, Ruksha	Physical Property	Light, Dry
Virya	Ushna	Potency	Hot
Vipaka	Katu	Metabolic Property (After Digestion)	Pungent

Effects on Doshas

It balances Vata and Kapha doshas.

Charak Samhita

Sushrut Samhita

Vagbhata

Bhavprakash

Raktpitta – Herb used in bleeding disorders.

Keshya – Herbs used for hair.

Shothhara

Rasayana

Guduchyadi varga

Practical Uses of Eclipta Alba

Bhringraj is preventive herb to stop ageing and it also balances pitta dosha in body.
Best way to use Bhringraj is in oil form. Bhringraj oil has amazing benefits, it helps to prevent hair fall, premature graying of hair and split ends. It helps in strengthening hair roots, promotes hair growth and good for overall hair care.
Simple paste of bhringraj leaves are used in baldness. Bhringraj extract is very effective to promote hair growth.
Bhringraj is also good for healthy functioning of liver. Liver is main site of metabolism of body and this herb is used to improve liver metabolism. It provides strength to liver and cure various liver disorders and promotes overall liver health.
Leaves of the herb are very effective for skin disorders, minor skin allergies and cracked heels.
It is considered as a rasayana and it helps in rejuvenating the body.
Bhringraj helps in the process of digestion and to reduce ama (undigested food).
It is very effective herb for weak eyesight and helps in the purification of blood in body.
Juice of leaves of this herb are used in the dehydration.
Bhringraj leaves extract are also used to get relief from toothache.
This herb has anti-microbial properties and is used to cure various infections caused by bacteria.
A black dye obtained from this herb is used in hair dyes and for tattooing.
It pacifies vata and kapha dosha.