Eclipta Alba (Bhringaraja)

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Introduction

Bhringaraja, also known as Kesharaja in Sanskrit, is a renowned herb traditionally used to prevent hair fall. In English, it is called False Daisy, while its botanical name is Eclipta Alba, belonging to the Asteraceae family. This plant is known by various regional names: Markava, Kesharanjana, Bharnagaraha, Bringa, Mahaneela, Ravipriya, Angaraka, Suryavarta, and Pitrupriya in Sanskrit; Bhangra, Bhangaraiya, Mochkand in Hindi; Garagada Soppu, Garga, Kadigargu in Kannada; Guntagalagaraku, Galgara in Telugu; Kayanthakarra, Kaikeshi in Tamil; and Bhringaraja in Marathi.

Description of the Plant

Native to South-East Asia and parts of South-West America, Bhringaraja is a fast-growing creeper that thrives in moist conditions. The plant has a short, flat or round stem and produces white flowers on long stalks. Its lance-shaped leaves grow in opposite pairs, and its roots are cylindrical and greyish.

The plant is widespread in India, China, Taiwan, and Brazil. It flourishes in various soil types, as it’s considered a weed, making it resilient and easy to propagate either through cuttings or seeds. Based on the flower’s color, three varieties exist: white, yellow, and blue.

Chemical Composition

Bhringaraja contains an alkaloid called ecliptine, and its extract is resinous in nature. The leaves are rich in protein. Its chief active constituents include coumestan derivatives such as wedelolactone (1.6%), demethylwedelolactone, desmethyl-wedelolactone-7-glucoside, along with ecliptal, B-amyrin, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, hentriacontanol, heptacosanol, and stigmasterol.

Medicinal Properties

The entire Bhringaraja plant — roots, stems, leaves, and flowers — is used in medicinal preparations. It’s praised in both the Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita for its therapeutic benefits. It possesses a wide range of medicinal properties, including:

• Anti-cancer

• Anti-leprotic

• Analgesic (pain-relieving)

• Antioxidant

• Anti-inflammatory

• Antibacterial

• Antiviral

• Spasmogenic

• Anti-hepatotoxic (liver-protective)

• Septic

• Antimyotoxic

• Hypotensive

• Ovicidal (kills parasite eggs)

In Ayurveda, its characteristics are classified as:

• Rasa (Taste): Bitter, Pungent, Sweet

• Virya (Potency): Cooling

• Vipaka (Post-digestive effect): Pungent

It balances both Kapha and Vata doshas and has a calming, cooling effect on the mind, making it useful in managing mental agitation and stress.

Therapeutic Uses

Hair Care:
Bhringaraja is considered a Rasayana (rejuvenator) in Ayurveda and is highly regarded for promoting hair health. It naturally conditions hair, arrests hair fall, and boosts growth. A hair mask combining Bhringaraja powder, amla, tulsi, and neem powders is traditionally applied for scalp rejuvenation.

Liver Disorders:
Extracts from its leaves are highly effective in treating liver cirrhosis, rejuvenating liver function, and supporting overall hepatic health.

Wound Healing & Skin Care:
A paste made from Bhringaraja leaves acts as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent. It hastens wound healing, clears scars, and improves skin tone and complexion.

Respiratory Health:
A teaspoon of Bhringaraja powder mixed with honey serves as a reliable remedy for coughs and other respiratory issues.

Digestive & Intestinal Ailments:
Its leaves help treat ulcers, reduce digestive inflammation, and work as an anthelmintic (expels intestinal worms), particularly beneficial for children when mixed with castor oil and honey.

Urinary Infections:
Combining Bhringaraja powder with salt eases burning sensations during urination.

Other Uses:

• Cracked Heels: Leaf paste provides rapid relief.

• Insect Bites: Paste application soothes irritation.

• Women’s Health: Leaf juice or powder with honey alleviates bleeding disorders and uterine bleeding.

• Elephantiasis: Leaf paste with sesame oil is traditionally used.

• Low Cholesterol: Regular consumption lowers cholesterol levels.

• Headache: Powder mixed with oil applied on the head relieves headaches.

• Swollen Glands: Leaf paste with palm oil soothes swollen glands.

• Splenic & Hepatic Conditions: Root powder treats spleen enlargement and hepatitis.

• Miscarriage Prevention & Postpartum Care: Reduces uterine pain and bleeding.

• Blood Purification: Acts as an excellent blood cleanser.

• Piles: Fumigation with Bhringaraja relieves symptoms.

• Eye & Ear Infections: Fresh leaf extract serves as a traditional remedy.