Bhringaraj – Benefits and Medicinal uses

 

Bhringaraj is a very famous herb known for the benefits in hair growth and liver disorders. It is also effective in diseases of skin, respiratory disorders, eye disorders etc.,

It helps improve the hair growth, prevent hair fall and helps stop premature greying of hair. It increases the production of bile from the liver, corrects the digestion, enhances the digestion, improves the liver functions, and reduces constipation.

Botanical Name – Eclipta alba

Family — Asteraceae

 

Common Names of Bhringaraj —  

• English – False Daisy
• Sanskrit – Bhringaraj
• Kannada – garagada soppu, Garaga
• Telugu – Galgara
• Marathi – Maka
• Punjabi – Bhangra

Medicinal Properties of Bhringaraja –

• Keshya – Promotes hair growth
• Varnya – Improves skin color
• Drishti Vardhak – Increases eyesight
• Hepatic stimulant
• Kapha Vata Dosha hara
• Is a digestive stimulant
• Promotes the discharge of bile
• Helps in the formation of Red Blood cells
• Decreases fever by inducing perspiration.

Therapeutic Indications of Bhringaraja –

Hair fall – Bhringaraja swarasa (Juice) can be applied on the hair and internally Bhringaraj Churna (1to 3 grams) daily twice a day with water is advised.

Some formulations which are advised are –

• Mahabhringaraja Taila
• Neelibhringadi Taila
• Bhringaraja Taila
• Bhringamalakyadi Taila

Premature whitening of Hair – Take half a teaspoon of Triphala Churna and mix it with Bhringaraja Swarasa and let it dry. After it has dried, ground this powder. Take this mixture in the morning empty stomach for a month.

Chronic Fever with loss of appetite, decrease digestion — 3 to 5 ml Bhringraj Juice is given with milk twice daily for a span of 2 weeks.

In cough with kapha – The swarasa of Bhringaraja with Honey can be given or Sitopaladi churna with Bhringaraja swarasa.

In Amlapitta – Bhringaraja churna + Old jaggery + Haritaki churna

In Headache – Bhringaraja Juice (3 to 5 ml) thrice daily.

Mouth Ulcers – Chewing of Bhringaraja Leaves helps treat them.

 

 

Dosage and administration —

Powder –

• 9 grams per day in divided doses
• 2 to 3 times a day
• Before Meal
• With Lukewarm water; Honey or Cow ghee

Swarasa –

• 30 ml per day (in divided doses)
• 2 to 3 times a day
• Before meal
• Honey, Milk, Mishri etc.,

Side effects of Bhringaraja –  

No side effect occurs with Bhringraja

Contraindications

There are no absolute contraindications for Bhringraja.

Some ayurvedic formulations –

1. Mahabhringaraja Oil
2. Bhringaraja Oil
3. Bhringamalakyadi Taila
4. Bhringaraja Churna
5. Neelibhringadi Taila