Eclipta alba,
Asteraceae
Medicinal Uses
- Throat irritation: 5 grams of dried
bhringaraja powder is mixed with
honey and licked. This is effective
in the treatment of cold, cough,
throat irritation, anaemia, asthma
etc.
- Liver disorders: Fresh juice
bringaraja 10‒15 ml is taken
early in the morning preferably
in the empty stomach for 7-12
days helps significantly in the
treatment of liver disorders and
obstructive jaundice. - Male infertility: 3 grams seeds or
seed powder is soaked in sugar
water for half an hour and taken
daily in the morning and evening.
This helps to improve the sexual
vigour and promotes the sperm
count. - Chronic skin diseases: Daily
intake of 5gms of bringaraj in
one cup of water and made this
decoction is consumed twice
daily. This has good benefit over
the steroid resistant skin diseases
and in psoriasis. - Hair care: 25 gram of Bhringaraja
paste, 100 ml of sesame or
coconut oil and 400 ml Bhringaraja
decoction or 200 ml of fresh juice
are taken and oil is cooked. This is
effective in dandruff, hair fall and
premature greying of hair. - Rejuvenation: Intake of powder
of bringaraja leaves, black
sesamum, amalaki and sugar in
equal quantity acts as a Rasayana.
(Immuno modulator).
Vernacular names
Assamese : Bhrngaraja
Bengali : Bheemraja, Kesuriya, Kesari
English : Trailing Eclipta, Thistles,
False Daisy
Gujrati : Bhangaro, Bhangro
Hindi : Bhangara, Bhangaraiya
Kannada : Garujalu, Gurugada, Soppu,
Keshavardhana, Kodigaraju
Malayalam : Kayyonni, Knnunni
Marathi : Bhangra, Bhringiraja, Maka
Punjabi : Bhangra
Tamil : Karisalankanni, Karisalanganni,
Karisalai
Telugu : Guntakalagara, Guntagalagara
Urdu : Bhangra
Bhringaraja (Eclipta prostrata or Eclipta alba), known as False Daisy, is a traditional Ayurvedic,, annual,, erect, or prostate herb. It is widely used for promoting hair health (hair fall reduction, grey hair prevention), as a liver tonic, and for skin diseases. Key components include wedelolactone, and it thrives in moist tropical regions.
Key Details on Bhringaraja
- Botanical Profile: A member of the Asteraceae family, it has white, small daisy-like flowers and lance-shaped leaves. It often grows in wet rice paddies and on the sides of streams.
- Ayurvedic Uses:
- Hair Health: Commonly known as “Keshaya” (hair tonic) and used in Bhringaraja Taila to nourish the scalp and promote hair growth.
- Medicinal Properties: Traditionally used for treating jaundice, liver disorders, skin issues, and as a diuretic.
- Active Compounds: Contains phytochemicals such as wedelolactone, demethylwedelolactone, luteolin, and apigenin.
- Usage: The leaves and stems are used to make oil, paste, or extracts.
- Safety: While generally safe, it can act as a diuretic and might interact with certain medications. It is recommended to consult a doctor before use, especially during pregnancy.
