Bhringraj is a medicinal Ayurvedic herb that mainly grows in moist areas. Belonging to the breathtaking sunflower family, it is also referred to as Eclipta Prostrata, King of Hair and Food for Hair. In places like India, great importance was bestowed upon bathing and hair care rituals. This herb was a significant part of those. Other plants were also included in the mix, like Bhrahmi, Amla and Jatamansi to list a few.

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Generally, this mix of beneficial herbs was soaked in coconut oil for about a day or two, until it became a paste-like green. This concoction was then slowly blended over a crackling fire and when warmed, stored in copper containers and applied to the hair every night.

Bhringraj has displayed intense antimicrobial and anti-fungal effects, according to recent studies. It’s extracts were found to be active against on a variety of strains of bacteria that include Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, and Proteus vulgaris and funguses like Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus. Sounds complicated? Let’s just say that whilst using Bhringraj, chances of hair full of dandruff and other bacteria are second to none.

Here are some additional effects of this amazing herb on hair:

Stress has been recorded as one of the major causes of hair fall. Bhringraj helps calm mental anxiety by having a lasting, cooling and comforting effect on the scalp, thereby working to prevent hair fall.

A nice champi using Bhringraj oil can definitely do away with scalp itchiness and its unwanted smells. This occurs mainly due to the herbs anti-inflammatory properties.

A massage with Bhringraj oil provides the much needed blood circulation your hair follicles require to trigger hair growth and regrowth. Hence, this herb can eventually correct baldness if used often and correctly.

The presence of haritaki in Bhringraj makes sure that the pigment of your hair is strengthened and if you suffer from a condition like premature graying, that it is restored, preventing discolouration of hair. Shiny, dense hair is an added advantage.

The herb can be used in an oil form, the best application method being to massage it right onto the scalp, letting roots of your hair absorb it for about 30 minutes and subsequently washing it off.

Tablet, churna and paste formulations of Bhringraj are also readily available for consumption and application respectively.

Medically reviewed by Rishabh Verma, RP