Bhringraj – Benefits, Uses, Medicinal Qualities, and Side Effects of Eclipta Prostrata/False Daisy
Introduction
A variety of herbs have been traditionally used in the treatment of diseases since ancient times. Herbal plants rich in medicinal properties have also gained special status in Ayurvedic treatments. Bhringraj is one of the best herbal remedies found in Assam as well as in India. This herbal plant has been used in the treatment of various ailments for a long period of time, especially in the treatment of hair and skin.
What are Bhringraj/ Eclipta prostrata?
Bhringraj is a type of herbal plant blessed with excellent medicinal properties. Bhringraj is quite popular in Ayurvedic medicine for its health benefits. The plant is helpful in hair problems as well as for other health problems. Eclipta Prostrata is good for the skin and helps to combat respiratory problems. For these reasons, it has been used in India for centuries as an effective domestic remedy.
Where is it found?
Bhringraj is a perennial herbaceous plant with the ability to grow in wetlands. This plant is widely grown in shallow agricultural fields and corners of kitchen gardens etc. This plant can be found in the vicinity of water bodies during the rainy season. This plant is found in major countries like India, Thailand, Nepal, China and Brazil. Eclipta Prostrata is a species of ‘Eclipta’ and a member of the family ‘Asteraceae’. Bhringraj is called ‘Bhringraj’ in Hindi and ‘False Daisy’ in English. The scientific name of Bhringraj is- ‘Eclipta prostrata’.
Appearance
The height of Keheraj plant is about 20 cm. The stems are rounded, slender, wilted and purple-brown in color. Because of the extremely tender stems the plant grows horizontally attaching to the ground and root emerges from the knots. The leaves are placed opposite and elongated, oblong, 2-6 cm long and 1-2 cm wide. The flowers of the Bhringraj plant have many small, elongated and unequal clusters. The flowers are white and yellow. When the seeds are dry and mature, they turn black. Keheraj plant has a bitter, pungent taste.
Medicinal Qualities
Bhringraj is also known as “Kesharaja” in Ayurveda. This plant has been used for many years as a treatment for hair loss and other hair and skin problems. It promotes hair growth, prevents hair fall and treats premature hair graying. It improves skin tone and makes it radiant and treats many other skin ailments. Eclipta Prostrata has many benefits for chronic itching, chronic trauma, skin ulcers, eczema and other chronic skin diseases. Bhringraj herb increases the production of bile from the liver, improves liver function, reduces constipation and improves digestion and also increases metabolism.
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Chemical substance of Eclipta Prostrata
- Coumestans
- Polypeptide
- Polyethylene
- Thiophene derivatives
- Steroids
- Sterols
- Steroids
- Flavonoids
- Alkaloid ecliptine
- Wedelolactone
- Wedelic Acid
- Apigenin
- LuteOlin
- B Amyrin
Various lingual Names of Bhringraj
- English: False daisy, Trailing Eclipta
- Hindi: Bhringraj, Kesharaj,
- Tamil: Karisalankanni, Kavanthakara
- Malayalam: Kannanunni
- Telugu: Gs Lagara
- Kannada: Ajagara, kindig garige, Garung, Garungalu, Garungu
- Odia: Kesard
- Nepali: Bhringaraj, Bhangere jharr
- Assamese: Keheraj
- Others: Eclipta erecta, Eclipta alba, Eclipta punctata
Scientific Classification of Eclipta Prostrata
- Kingdom: Plantae
- unranked: Angiosperms
- unranked: Eudicots
- unranked: Asterids
- Order: Asterales
- Family: Asteraceae
- Genus: Eclipta
- Species: E.prostrata
- Scientific name: Eclipta prostrate
Benefits of Bhringraj/Eclipta Prostrate
1. Good for hair:
Bhringraj is considered as a super medicine for hair loss. Bhringraj contains hair-vitalizing medicinal properties that can prevent premature hair maturation and reduce hair fall. It helps in increasing the number of follicles in the hair growth process and also helps in speeding up the process. Bhringraj is excellent for improving hair growth. Applying Eclipta Prostrata leaf juice on hair reduces hair loss.
2. Good for skin:
The benefits of Bhringraj for traditional skin diseases can be noticed. The anti-microbial properties of Eclipta Prostrata play an important role in skin infections. It is of great importance in helping to heal wounds. When used externally as a paste or juice, it soothes swollen skin and treats problems like eczema, pimples, acne, acne, acne, etc.
3. Good for liver:
Bhringraj protects the liver (one of the most important internal organs) from harmful chemicals that can damage it. Demethyl wedelolactone and wedelolactone are some of the compounds in Eclipta Prostrata that have anti-toxic-anti-inflammatory activity which helps in the regeneration of liver cells.
4. Good for heart health:
Due to its strong anti-oxidative nature, it helps in the treatment of various heart diseases. It controls high blood pressure, controls cholesterol, strengthens the heart muscle, prevents the accumulation of lipids in the blood vessels and therefore increases the risk of heart attack, cardiac arrest, stroke and so on. Regular consumption of Bhringraj decoction mixed with honey is effectively helpful in improving heart health.
5. Helps in dealing with dysentery:
Dysentery is a health condition that causes diarrhea, stomach ache, vomiting and fever. Bhringraj helps in fighting against bacteria which causes diarrhea. Eclipta Prostrata decoction can be given orally to cure diarrhea. Keharaj leaf juice with honey helps in relieving the symptoms of diarrhea.
6. Gastric ulcer:
Heart inflammation, stomach inflammation, stomach ache, nausea are some of the symptoms of gastric or peptic ulcer. Eclipta Prostrata can help fight gastric ulcers, which can be treated with regular aspirin and anti-inflammatory drugs. Bhringraj extract may help reduce ulcers induced by aspirin and alcohol.
7. Relieves Pain:
Bhringraj has strong analgesic properties which play an important role in relieving toxins and inflammation. Therefore, medicinal plants are widely used for rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Fresh leaf extract of Bhringraj is popularly used as a remedy for toxins, inflammation and swelling. The benefits and uses of Eclipta Prostrata are also seen as part of Ayurvedic medicine for its anti-toxic properties.
8. Snake bites and scorpion stings:
The antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties of Bhringraj make it an excellent herbal remedy for scorpion bites, snake bites and other insect bites. But in order to avoid complications, it is necessary to consult a doctor before using it in any type of treatment.
9. Improves immunity:
Bhringraj has anti-inflammatory properties that protect the environment from harmful germs. The active ingredients of Eclipta Prostrata reduce weakness and fragmentation and improve the vitality of the body. It also improves the function of the adrenal gland which helps in reducing the level of stress.
10. For respiratory problems:
Being full of strong antimicrobial properties, it is very useful in preventing infections. Therefore, it plays an important role in the treatment of respiratory diseases like cough and cold, bronchitis and asthma. Anti-inflammatory properties help reduce the inflammation of bronchitis.
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Uses of Bhringraj /Eclipta Prostrata
The whole plant is used from the stems, leaves to flowers of Bhringraj. Bhringraj leaf juice and Bhringraj oil are used for hair. Bhringraj leaf juice or paste is used to treat skin problems as well as many other ailments. In addition, decoction, extract, paste, etc. of different parts of the plant are used in different ways for various diseases. There are various types of herbal remedies available in the market such as supplements, capsules and oils etc. which can be used differently for various ailments.
Side Effects of Bhringraj/Eclipta Prostrata
- Excessive consumption of herbs can cause stomach problems.
- Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should not use Keheraj without a doctor’s advice.
- If you are a diabetic and your sugar level is high then you should avoid taking Kheraj.
- If you have any problem while taking Keheraj herbal medicine, contact your doctor immediately.
Therefore, it should be used in the right amount on a regular basis considering the benefits of Bhringraj herbal medicine as overdose of any herb is harmful to health. Eclipta Prostrata herbs are very useful although in the treatment of diseases it is necessary to consult a doctor before using it.
Conclusion
The above article provided you with a basic knowledge of Bhringraj herb discussing the uses, chemical elements, different linguistic names, disadvantages, and other benefits of Eclipta Prostrata. We hope that the information contained in this article will help you in various ways. Thank You!