- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- Asia, Africa, North America, South America (warm regions worldwide)
- Sanskrit
- Bhringaraj
- Other names
- Valse madeliefje
- Traditions
- Ayurveda, Chinese medical traditions
Asia · Herb · № 354
Eclipta prostrata
Herb · Asia
Bhringraj
Eclipta prostrata
Traditionally attributed effects: strengthens the liver, decongestant, tonic, cleansing, antiviral; for enlarged liver and spleen, skin diseases, fever, oedema, rheumatism; hair oil for black and full hair; for swollen glands, elephantiasis, headache and toothache.
Safety notes
Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Chinese materia medica: Not with cold from deficiency of spleen or kidney.
Preparation
Tea 4–12 ml; powder 3–6 g; fresh leaf juice 2–8 ml; leaf juice cooked in sesame or coconut oil as hair oil; paste with sesame oil externally.
Use in traditions
Described in the Ayurvedic materia medica and Ayurveda in the kitchen and daily care. Sanskrit name: Bhringaraj. Bhringaraj, 'king of the bees', is the best-known herb for the hair in India: bhringaraj oil is used against hair loss and grey hair. The fresh juice stains black and was used as tattoo ink. In Chinese medicine (mo han lian) it cools the blood.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Ayurvedic materia medica
Attributed effects
Strengthens the liver, decongestant, tonic, cleansing, antiviral; for enlarged liver and spleen, skin diseases, fever, oedema, rheumatism; hair oil for black and full hair; for swollen glands, elephantiasis, headache and toothache.
Preparation and amount
Tea 4–12 ml; powder 3–6 g; fresh leaf juice 2–8 ml; leaf juice cooked in sesame or coconut oil as hair oil; paste with sesame oil externally.
Everyday Ayurveda
Attributed effects
Cares for the hair, promotes circulation in the scalp and reduces stress.
Preparation and amount
Powder in shampoo paste or mixed into hair oil.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- sweet, sour, cold
- Meridians
- liver, kidney
Attributed effects
Han lian cao nourishes liver and kidney yin in tinnitus, early grey hair, loose teeth, dizziness and blurred vision, and cools the blood in all kinds of bleeding from heat (nose, vomiting, urine, stool, uterus). Externally to stop bleeding.
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 6–18 g a day, usually in a decoction. A common weed, also in North America.
Combinations
- With privet fruit in er zhi wan for early grey hair
Caution: Not with cold from deficiency of spleen or kidney.