Bhrungraj is the best hair tonic and a 3 meter-tall creeping herb. This herb is annual, upright, branching, and frequently roots at nodes. This herb features white flowers on a short, flat, rounded stem with a long stalk. The leaves are lance-shaped, sessile, and opposite. This plant, when well-developed, has cylindrical, grayish roots. Floral heads measure 6 to 8 mm in diameter, are solitary, winged, and white in color. This plant thrives in damp environments all around the world because it loves wetness.
The popular name for Bhrungraj (Eclipta abla) is false daisy. “Bhrungraja” and “Tekarajah” are the Sanskrit names for Bhrungraj, whereas “Bhangra” and “Bhangraiya” are typical Hindi names. It is the primary herb used in coloring hair. This herb is used as an anti-venom for snake poisoning in China and Brazil. It is a ubiquitous weed in India’s wastelands.
Bhringraj, or Eclipta abla, is regarded as a “Rasayana” plant in Ayurveda, meaning it promotes anti-aging properties, lifespan and regeneration. Maintaining tridosha equilibrium is the central tenet of Ayurveda. This herb maintains the imbalance of tridosha and works wonders on it. Wonderful herb bhringraj is utilized in Ayurveda for liver cirrhosis and hair care. Memory, hair, teeth, bones, vision, and hearing are all revitalized by it. This herb contains a lot of ecliptine, a chemical component. This plant’s leaves are high in proteins, and the extract has a resinous quality. In cases of debility, it is a general tonic. The properties of the herb include hepato-protective, antiviral, antibacterial, analgesic, and antioxidant properties. Wedololactone, amyrin, heptacosanol, hentriacontanol, and stigmasterol are also present in this plant.
The herb known as bhrungraj (Eclipta abla) is indigenous to Southwest America and India. In rice fields all over India, the herb grows wild like a weed. It is cultivated for medical uses in several regions of India. It can also be found in Brazil and China.
Classification & alternative names of Bhrungraj:
Classification / Taxonomy of Eclipta alba (Bhringraj) :
- Kingdom – Plantae
- Subkingdom – Viridaeplantae
- Infrakingdom – Streptophyta
- Division – Tracheophyta
- Subdivision – Spermatophytina
- Infradivision – Angiospermae
- Class – Magnoliopsida
- Superorder – Asteranae
- Order – Asterales
- Family – Asteraceae
- Genus – Eclipta
- Species – alba
- Common name – False Lily, Bhrungraj
- Alternative Names:
- Latin name – Eclipta Alba
- Common name – False daisy
- Hindi name – Bhangra, Bhangaralya
- 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 of Bhrungraj-the best hair tonic:
Rasa/Taste – Katu(Pungent), Tikta (Bitter).
2. Guna – Laghu (Light) , Ruksha (Dry)
3. Virya / Potency – Ushna / Hot
4. Vipaka / Metabolic Property (After Digestion) – Katu / Pungent.
5. Effects on Doshas – It balances Vata and Kapha doshas.
Charak Samhita mentioned its uses in Raktpitta (bleeding disorders) and as Keshya – (Herbs used for hair).
Sushrut Samhita mentioned its uses as Shotha-hara (Inflammation-reliever).
Vagbhata mentioned its uses as Rsayana (Rejuvenator).
Bhavprakash Nighantu included this herb in Guduchyadi varga.
Bhringraj, Markav, Bhring, Angarak, Keshraj, Bhringaar and Kesharanjana all are different names of Eclipta Alba. This herb has various properties such as it is pungent in taste, has hot potency, dry, pacifies (vata, kapha) and good for hair. It is aphrodisiac, good for skin and tooth, provides strength to the body and is used to cure worm infestation, cough, asthma, inflammation, toxins, anemia, leprosy, skin disorders and various disorders associated with the head.
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)
- Neel bhringraj (blue variety)
As per Raj-Nighantu, 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.
Eclipta Alba's Uses in Practice:
- Bhrungraj is a preventative herb that regulates the body’s pitta dosha and delays the aging process.
- The best form of Bhringraj to utilize is as oil. Amazingly beneficial, Bhrungraj oil helps avoid split ends, premature graying of the hair, and hair loss. It is beneficial for general hair care, strengthens hair roots, and encourages hair growth.
- For baldness, Bhrungraj leaf paste is used simply. The extract from Bhrungraj is particularly good at promoting hair growth.
- Bhrungraj is also beneficial to the liver’s normal function. The primary site of the body’s metabolism is the liver, and this plant is used to enhance liver metabolism. It strengthens the liver, treats a variety of liver conditions, and enhances liver health in general.
- Herb leaves are excellent for minor skin allergies, skin conditions, and cracked heels.
- It is regarded as a rasayana and aids in the body’s renewal.
- Bhrungraj facilitates reduced ama (undigested food) and aids in the digestive process.
- It is a highly useful herb for impaired vision and aids in the body’s blood purification.
- This herb’s leaf juice is used to treat dehydration.
- Toothache treatment can also be achieved with extract from Bhrungraj plants.
- This plant is used to treat a variety of bacterial diseases due to its anti-microbial qualities.
- This herb yields a black dye that is used for tattoos and hair coloring.