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

Bhringraj (भृङ्गराज) is a common herb with little white flowers and is found near moist soils.

Bhringraj/Bhangra plant and flowers
Eclipta Alba

Bhringraj (भृङ्गराज) is a common herb with little white flowers and is 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 have been known to Indians for ages. In the olden days, the use of Kaajal (Soorma) was very popular. Rural women used to make Kaajal by 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 would get its medicinal properties.

Bhringraj flower and seed-cups

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

A Bhringraj seed-cup
after flowers

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

Bhringraj Seeds

Ayurveda recommends the extracts of Bhringraaj leaves as a liver tonic. It improves digestion and is used as a medicine for 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 an amulet or a Tabeez.

Many Bhringraj products are in the market, like Bhringraj Powder and Bhringraj oil. You can even order them online. To see these products online at Amazon, visit the link

- https://amzn.to/33vfKBY

At Flipkart, visit

- http://fkrt.it/alHdI5uuuN

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