Tuesday, September 15, 2020

Bhringraj (भृङ्गराज)- An easily available herb for hair and skincare

Bhringraj (भृङ्गराज) is a common herb with little white flowers and found near moist soils.
Bhringraj/Bhangra plant and flowers
Eclipta Alba


        Bhringraj (भृङ्गराज) is a common herb with little white flowers and found near moist soils. It is widely found in the Indian subcontinent and East Asia. Locally it is known as Bhangra or Bhamroiya in Bihar/Jharkhand. The common English name is False Daisy but it belongs to the sunflower family. The scientific name of Bhringraj is Eclipta Alba.

Bhringraj/Bhangra plant
and flowers. 
Eclipta Alba

 

        Its medicinal properties are known to Indians for ages. In the olden days, the use of Kaajal (Soorma) was very popular. Rural women used to make Kaajal with lighting an earthen lamp and collecting the lampblack over an earthen disc. The juice of the Bhringraj plant was used to wet the cotton lamp wick so that the Kaajal will get its medicinal properties.

Bhringraj flower and seed-cups

 

          In Ayurveda, it is recommended for skin care and hair nutrient. In Sanskrit, Bhring means beetles the insects having deep black colors. So the Bhringraj plant symbolizes a plant that gives hair deep dark color. It is also known for preventing premature greying of hairs and growing hairs on the bald to some extent. For hair care, it is mixed to a carrier oil (mostly coconut oil) and applied to the hair roots. It can be prepared at home by mixing dried Bhringraj leaves to the oil and keeping in the sunlight for two to three days. This also adds shine to hairs. Application of warm Bhringraj oil to hair roots also prevents hair-fall and removes dandruff.

A Bhringraj seed-cup
after flowers


        It is useful in skincare too. Application of its paste to wounds makes recovery faster and prevents skar marks.

Bhringraj Seeds

 

       Ayurveda recommends the extracts of Bhringraaj leaves as a liver tonic. It improves digestion and is used as medicine in jaundice. This extract is also recommended to cure intestinal parasites. This plant has revitalizing and anti-aging properties. It is also recommended for sexual health in Ayurveda. People use it for different cures in rural areas of different states of India.

Bhringraj/Bhangra plant, flowers, and seed-cups

      Other than its medicinal properties it is believed to bring good luck to a person. For this, its roots are worn like amulet or Tabeez.


       There are many Bhringraj products in the market like Bhringraj Powder and Bhringraj oil. Even you can order them online. For seeing these products online at Amazon, visit the link 

https://amzn.to/33vfKBY

At Flipkart, visit 

http://fkrt.it/alHdI5uuuN 

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