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BHRINGRAJ
(Botanical
Name - Eclipta alba)
Family: Compositae
Origin of Herbs:
This tropical annual is a creeping
and moisture-loving herb; it has a short, flat or round, brown stem
and small white flowers on a long stalk. It grows 3" tall; the
leaves are opposite and lance-shaped.
Eclipta grows abundantly in the tropics and is used with success in
Ayurvedic medicine.
Habitat/Occurrence: In paddy growing areas of India, it
occurs as common weed. In many parts of India it is grown
commercially as a medicinal crop. Stem:
Stems and branches are hairy.
Leaves:
Opposite, sessile, oblong- lanceolate; also strigose and
hairy.
Flowers:
In heads, involucral bracts, axillary, ray flowers ligulate; disk
ones tubular.
Flowering
Time: October to December in Indian conditions.
Fruit:
Achene.
Useful
Parts: Whole plant.
Healing power
and curative properties :
Eclipta
alba is mainly used in hair oils, but it has been considered a good
drug in hepatotoxicity. In hair oils, it may be used alongwith
Centela asiatica (Brahmi) and Phyllanthus emblica (Amla). It may be
used to prevent habitual abortion and miscarriage and also in cases
of post-delivery uterine pain. A decoction of leaves is used in
uterine haemorrhage. The juice of the plant with honey is given to
infants with castor oil for expulsion of worms. For the relief in
piles, fumigation with Eclipta alba is considered beneficial. The
paste prepared by mincing fresh plants has got an anti-inflammatory
effect and may be applied to insect bites, stings, swellings and
other skin diseases. But in Ayurveda, it is mainly used in hair
oil.
Hair Problem:
For healthy black and long hair the
plant is commonly used in hair oils all over India
Loss of appetite:
Fresh juice of leaves is used for
increasing appetite, improving digestion and mild bowel regulator.
Liver disorders:
It is commonly used in viral hepatitis to promote bile
flow and protect the parenchyma.
Memory enhancer:
It is commonly used to enhance memory and learning.Other uses:
The plant has a reputation as an anti aging agent in Ayurveda. It is also used as a general tonic for debility.
Externally it is used for inflammation, minor cuts and burns and the
fresh leaf juice is considered very effective in stopping bleeding.
Leaf juice mixed with honey is also used for children with upper
respiratory infection. It is used in eye and ear infections.
Ayurvedic supplements that contains Bhringraj :
Mahabhringraj
Oil
Bhringraj
Asava
Aroygavardhini Plus
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