Bhringraj (Eclipta Alba)

Bhringraj is a 3 m tall creeping herb. It is a branching, upright, annual herb that frequently roots at the nodes. This herb has long-stemmed, white flowers that are attached to a short, flat, and rounded stem. Opposing, sessile, and lance-shaped leaves are present. The cylindrical, grey roots of this plant are well-developed. The flower heads are white in color, single, narrowly winged, and 6 to 8 mm in diameter. This plant thrives in damp environments and can be seen growing there all over the world.

General Information

The popular name for brhingraj (Eclipta abla) is false daisy. Brhingraj is known by the Sanskrit names "Bhringraja" and "Tekarajah" and by the popular Hindi names "Bhangra" and "Bhangraya". There is only one main herb used in hair dyes. This herb is used as an anti-venom for snake poisoning in China and Brazil. It grows everywhere in waste areas in India.

Bhringraj (Eclipta abla) is regarded as a "rasayana" plant in Ayurveda, which is a system of traditional medicine. The balance of the tridosha is the central idea of Ayurveda. This plant effectively maintains the tridosha's imbalance. The beautiful herb bhringraj is utilized in AYURVEDA for cirrhosis and hair care. It revitalizes bones, hair, teeth, hearing, eyesight, and memory. This herb contains a lot of ecliptine, a chemical component. Protein-rich leaves and a resinous extract characterize this plant. In cases of debility, it is a general tonic. The herb contains heptao-protective, analgesic, antiviral, antibacterial, and anticancer properties. It also contains stigmasterol, heptacosanol, amyrin, wedololactone, and hentriacontanol.

Habitat

The herb known as Bhringraj (Eclipta abla) is indigenous to India and southwest America. The plant is a weed that grows as a weed in rice fields all over India. It is grown for medical uses in several regions of India. Brazil and China also have it.

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 works well for the conditions listed below.:-

• Jathraagni Deepaka - Herb that stimulates the digestive system.
• Ruchivardakam - Herb used as an appetizer.
• Netrahitkara - Herb good for eyes.
• Keshranjaka - Herb good for hair.
• Kapha-vish nashaka - Herb to eliminate toxins and the Kapha Dosha.

Practical Uses of Bhringraj 

• Bhringraj is a preventative herb that delays the aging process and regulates the body's pitta dosha.
• Bhringraj is best used in oil form. Amazing benefits of bhringraj oil include prevention of hair loss, early graying, and split ends. It supports hair development, strengthens hair roots, and is beneficial for all-around hair care.
• Baldness is treated with a simple paste made from bhringraj plants. Bhringraj extract works wonders to encourage hair development.
• Bhringraj is advantageous for the liver's healthy operation. This plant is utilized to enhance liver metabolism, which is the body's primary location of metabolism. It gives the liver strength, treats different liver conditions, and fosters general liver health.
• Herb leaves are excellent for treating skin conditions, minor skin allergies, and damaged heels.
• It is regarded as a Rasayana and aids in the body's renewal.
• Bhringraj facilitates the digestive process and lessens ama (undigested food).
• It is a very powerful herb for poor eyesight and aids in the body's blood cleansing.
• This herb's leaf juice is used to treat dehydration.
• Extract from bhringraj plants is also used to treat toothaches.
• This plant is used to treat a variety of bacterial diseases because it possesses anti-microbial qualities.
• This herb can be used to make a black dye that is utilized in tattoo ink and hair dye.
• It calms the kapha and vata doshas and provides effective ayurveda for kapha balance.

Part Used

• Roots
• Seeds
• Seed oil
• Whole plant

Dosage

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

Ayumantra’s Ayurvedic product of Bhringraj