Bhringraj (Eclipta Alba) - Properties, Benefits, Uses & Dosage

Description of Plant

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.

General Information

Brhingraj (Eclipta abla) is commonly called false daisy. Sanskrit name of Brhingraj are "Bhringraja" and "Tekarajah" and common Hindi names are "Bhangra" and "Bhangraya". It is one main herb that is used in hair dyes. China and Brazil are using this herb as anti-venom for snake poisoning. It is common weed in India throughout waste grounds.

In Ayurveda Bhringraj (Eclipta abla) is considered to be "rasayana", herb for longevity and rejuvenation. Main principle of Ayurveda is to balance tridosha. This herb works wonderfully on tridosha and maintain their imbalance. Bhringraj is wonderful herb used in AYURVEDA for hair care and cirrhosis. It rejuvenates memory, hair, teeth, bones, vision and hearing. This herb is rich in chemical compound called ecliptine. Leaves of this plant are rich in proteins and extract is resinous in nature. It is a general tonic in case of debility. The herb has antioxidant, analgesic, antiviral, antibacterial, anticancer and heptao-protective in nature. It also contains wedololactone, amyrin, heptacosanol, hentriacontanol and stigmasterol.

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

Names

• Latin name – Eclipta Alba
• Common name – False daisy
• Hindi name – Bhangra, Bhangaraiya
• Kannada name – Garagada soppu, Garga
• Telugu name – Kayanthakara, Kaikeshi
• Marathi name – Maka
• Gujarati name – Bhangaro
• Bengali name – Kesuriya
• Punjabi name – Bhangra
• Malayalam name – Jala bhangara, Tekaraja
• Arabic name – Kadimulabit

Ayurvedic Properties

Effects on Doshas

It balances Vata and Kapha doshas.

Rajnighantu

Rajnighantu describes this herb under moolakadi gana.

According to Rajnighantu there are three types of Bhringraj:-

1. Shweta bhringraj (white variety)
2. Peet bhringraj (yellow variety)
3. Neel bhringraj (blue variety)

This herb is effective in various disorders that are mentioned below:-

• Jathraagni deepaka - Herb used to stimulate digestive fire.
• Ruchivardakam - Herb used as appetizer.
• Netrahitkara - Herb good for eyes.
• Keshranjaka - Herb good for hair.
• Kapha-vish nashaka - Herb to destroy kapha dosha and poisons.

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.

Part Used

• Roots
• Seeds
• Seed oil
• Whole plant

Dosage

• Oil – 3-5 drops
• Fresh juice – 5-10ml
• Powder – 2 – 3 gm in divided doses