Bhringraj (Eclipta): The hair tonic
Scientific Classification
- Scientific Name: Eclipta alba (L.) Hassk.
- Family: Asteraceae
Names in Different Languages
- English: Trailing Eclipta
- Sanskrit: Bhringraj, Kesharaj, Kesharanjan, Kuntalvardhan, Markav
- Hindi: Bhangera, Bhangra, Bhangraiya
- Gujarati: Bhangro, Kalo-Bhangro
- Marathi: Bhaaka, Bangara, Bhringraj
- Bengali: Kesari, Kasuria, Bhimraj, Keshutt
- Punjabi: Kishori, Kesraj, Kesari, Bhimraj
- Arabic: Kadimul-bint
- Konkan: Hatu Kenari
- Oriya: Caserda
- Tamil: Kekeshi, KV, Shilai, Kaikeshi
Introduction
Bhringraj is widely known for its association with promoting thick, soft, black hair. This herbaceous shrub grows all year round in wetlands and areas near water bodies, thriving at elevations up to 6,000 feet.A closely related species, Bhringraj chinensis (Yellow Bhringraj), is predominantly found in regions like Bengal, Assam, Konkan, and Madras.
External Appearance
- Growth: Bhringraj is a small, annual herbaceous shrub that spreads and occasionally grows erect with numerous hairy branches.
- Leaves: The leaves are usually sessile or have very small stems, and they are rectangular, garland-shaped, or oval
with pointed tips. - Flowers: White flowers grow in small heads and typically bloom in winter.
- Seeds: The seeds are long, small, and black.
- Juice: Crushing the leaves releases a greenish-black juice that quickly turns black.
Chemical Composition
- Contains an alkaloid called Ecliptin.
- Rich in essential oils.
Properties and Benefits
- Cough and wind pacifier
- Pain reliever
- Beneficial for the eyes
- Digestive aid
- Liver stimulant
- Blood purifier and enhancer
- Anti-inflammatory
- Leprosy treatment
- Worm killer
- Poison antidote
- Blood pressure reducer
- Body energizer
- Enhancer of vitality and lustre
- Strength enhancer
- Especially beneficial for hair health
Medicinal Uses of Bhringraj (Eclipta alba)
1. Diarrhoea and Dysentery
- For Common and Bloody Diarrhoea:
- Mix equal quantities of fine powder of Bhringraj root and wood apple powder.
- Consume 1 teaspoon of this mixture with fresh water three times daily.
- Highly beneficial for relieving diarrhoea and dysentery.
2. Fistula
- Prepare a poultice using Bhringraj.
- Tie the poultice over the fistula area.
- Helps cleanse and heal the fistula within a few days.
3. Syphilis
- For Wound Washing:
- Wash syphilis wounds with juice made from Bhringraj or a mixture of Bhringraj and jasmine leaf juices.
- Apply the juice as a paste to the wound for added benefits.
- For Stomach and Eye Diseases, Fistula, and Syphilis:
- Mix 3 parts Bhringraj powder with 1 part black pepper powder.
- Grind the mixture with Bhringraj juice and make 1-gram tablets.
- Consume 1-2 tablets in the morning and evening.
- For Skin Diseases:
- Mix 10 grams of Bhringraj juice with 2 pieces of black pepper powder.
- Consume this mixture in the morning and evening for 21 days.
- Follow a diet of cow milk, wheat bread, and sugar for optimal results.
4. Contraception and Women’s Health
- Prevent Premature Abortion:
- Mix 4 grams of Bhringraj juice with equal quantities of cow milk.
- Consume this every morning to prevent premature abortion, strengthen the fetus, and purify blood.
- Menorrhagia and Vaginal/Urethral Bleeding:
- Prepare a decoction using one-fourth of Bhringraj leaves.
- Consume 20-50 grams of this decoction in the morning and evening for relief.
- Post-Delivery Vaginal Pain:
- Mix equal parts of Bhringraj’s Panchang (entire plant) and fine powder of Bael root with honey.
- Consume in an appropriate quantity for immediate pain relief.
5. Testicular Swelling
- Grind the Panchang of Bhringraj to make a paste.
- Apply the paste as a tablet and tie it over the swollen area for relief.
6. Hemorrhoids (Arsh)
- Vaataj Hemorrhoids Relief:
- Grind 50 grams of Bhringraj leaves and 5 grams of black pepper into a fine paste.
- Make small pills (size of plums) and dry them in the shade.
- Take 1-2 pills three times daily with water for relief.
- Quick Relief for Hemorrhoids:
- Mix 3 grams of Bhringraj leaves and 5 pieces of black pepper into a fine powder.
- Consume this mixture with fresh water twice daily for 7 days.
- For Immediate Relief:
- Mix wheat flour in Bhringraj juice and prepare a powder using cow ghee.
- Soak it in buttermilk and eat it along with 1-2 radishes for relief.
- Steam Therapy:
- Give steam therapy to hemorrhoidal piles using Bhringraj leaves twice daily for relief.
7. Anal Fissure
- Grind Bhringraj root with turmeric powder.
- Apply the paste regularly to the affected area for relief.
Some other important diseases
Migraine
- Mix equal parts of Bhringraj juice and goat milk.
- Heat the mixture and drop it into the nose.
- Apply a paste made from Bhringraj juice mixed with black pepper powder for effective relief.
Hair Diseases
- For Hair Growth:
- Massage the juice of Bhringraj leaves onto areas with no hair.
- Promotes the growth of thick, black hair.
- Prevention of Premature Graying:
- Mix 3 drops of Triphala powder with Bhringraj juice, dry it, and grind it.
- Consume 1.5 grams daily to prevent premature graying and improve eyesight.
- With Indian Gooseberries:
- Immerse Indian gooseberries in Bhringraj juice and grind after drying.
- Consume 3 grams daily with fresh water to stop premature graying.
- Enhances eyesight and overall vitality.
- Hair Oil for All Hair Diseases:
- Boil 20 grams each of Bhringraj, Triphala, Anantmool, mango kernels, and 10 grams of Mandoor paste in 12 kg of oil and 1 kg of water.
- Filter when only oil remains. Apply regularly for hair health.
Eye Disorders
- General Eye Health:
- Take 10 grams of powdered shade-dried leaves, 3 grams of honey, and 3 grams of cow ghee every night for 40 days.
- Beneficial for all types of eye diseases, including vision impairment.
- Eye Drops:
- Pour 2 drops of Bhringraj juice into the eyes 1 hour before sunrise or sunset to cure swelling and other issues.
- Therapeutic Oil:
- Mix 50 grams of liquorice paste, 500 grams of sesame oil, 2 kg of cow milk, and 2 kg of Bhringraj juice.
- Cook on low flame and filter. Apply to the eyes and use as nasal drops to restore vision.
- Poultice for Eye Pain:
- Tie a poultice of Bhringraj leaves on the eyes for minor pain relief.
Goiter
- Grind Bhringraj leaves into patties, cook them in ghee, and tie them onto goiter knots for quick relief.
Mukhpaak (Mouth Ulcers)
- Chew 5 grams of Bhringraj leaves and spit out the saliva several times a day for quick relief.
Sinus Disease
- Prepare oil by mixing 250 grams of Bhringraj juice, 250 grams of sesame oil, and 10 grams of rock salt.
- Cook on low flame and drip 10 drops into both nostrils.
- Helps expel contaminated phlegm and worms, curing the disease.
Cough and Respiratory Disorders
- Cough and Fever Relief:
- Mix 4-6 grams of Bhringraj juice with 30 grams of milk.
- Consume in the morning and night for relief from phlegm, cough, and fever.
- Typhoid:
- Give 2 teaspoons of Bhringraj juice 2-3 times a day.
Blood Pressure
- Consume 2 teaspoons of Bhringraj leaf juice and 1 teaspoon of honey twice a day.
- Helps normalize high blood pressure and improves appetite by keeping the stomach healthy.
Poor Digestion and Anemia (Agnimandy and Pandu)
- Digestive Tonic:
- Dry the entire plant of Bhringraj in shade, grind into powder, and mix with Triphala powder and sugar candy.
- Take 20 grams with honey or water three times a day.
- Appetite Enhancer:
- Add rock salt to dried Bhringraj leaves and flowers powder.
- Consume 2 grams in the morning and evening.
- Jaundice and Liver Health:
- Mix 7 black pepper powder with 2 grams of fresh Bhringraj leaves paste and take with sour curd or buttermilk every morning.
- Beneficial for jaundice, liver enlargement, and abdominal inflammation.
Diphtheria
- Mix 10 grams of Bhringraj juice with equal parts cow ghee and one-fourth part pure yavakshar.
- Cook well and drink at intervals of two hours to cure diphtheria.
Abdominal Colic
- Grind 10 grams of Bhringraj leaves with 3 grams of black salt in water.
- Filter and consume 3-4 times a day for relief.
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