Bhringaraj

Eclipta prostrata

AsteraceaePantropical and subtropical regions; native to Indian subcontinent and Americas; widely naturalized in Southeast Asia, China, Africa, and Australia

Description

overall appearance

Annual or short-lived perennial herb 10–80 cm tall, with prostrate to erect stems covered in stiff white hairs that give the plant a rough, bristly texture. Called 'Kehraj' in Assamese, 'Bhringraj' means 'ruler of hair' in Sanskrit — reflecting its renowned hair-promoting effects.

roots

Short taproot system; white to light brown; fibrous lateral roots; non-medicinal compared to aerial parts

stem

Cylindrical to slightly angled, 1–4 mm thick; prostrate, ascending, or erect; rough with white appressed hairs; rooting at lower nodes; branched

leaves

Lanceolate to elliptic, 2–10 cm long and 0.5–2.5 cm wide; opposite; serrate margins; rough, hairy surface; sessile or with very short petiole; parallel venation from midrib

flowers

Small white daisy-like capitula 6–8 mm in diameter; white ray florets (2-lobed) surrounding yellow disk florets; solitary on axillary and terminal stalks 2–5 cm; each head on peduncle 1–4 cm

fruits/seeds

Achenes 1.5–2 mm; 2-winged or not; dark brown to black; without a pappus (or pappus of 2 small scales); produced in large quantities per plant

Active Compounds

Coumestans: wedelolactone (primary bioactive, 0.04–0.08%), demethylwedelolactoneAlkaloids: ecliptalbine, verazine (steroidal alkaloids)Triterpenoid saponins: α-terthienyl, eclalbasaponin I–VI (oleanolic acid glycosides)Sterols: β-sitosterol, daucosterol, stigmasterolThiophene derivatives: α-terthienyl (phototoxic compound)Polyphenols: luteolin, apigenin, caffeic acid, protocatechuic acidEcliptin (flavonoid)Nicotinic acid, vitamin A (β-carotene), and vitamin E

Traditional Uses

Ayurveda: primary herb for all hair conditions; stimulates hair growth, prevents premature graying, and strengthens hair follicles; Bhringaraj taila (oil) is cornerstone of Ayurvedic hair care
Ayurveda: liver tonic and treatment for jaundice, hepatitis, and liver enlargement; classified as hepatoprotective rasayana
TCM: Mo Han Lian — used for liver and kidney yin deficiency causing dizziness, blurred vision, premature graying; hemostatic herb
Ayurvedic treatment for respiratory conditions including asthma and bronchitis; leaf juice for cough
Snakebite antidote in folk medicine of India, Brazil, and Africa; wedelolactone has documented phospholipase A2 inhibition
Traditional skin conditions treatment: eczema, ringworm, and wounds with fresh juice application
Ayurvedic nervine tonic for epilepsy, memory, and anxiety
Indian folk medicine: treatment for splenomegaly and ascites

Modern Applications

Hair growth promotion: standardized extract demonstrated anagen phase stimulation in mice and increased keratinocyte proliferation; outperformed 2% minoxidil in one comparative study in mice
Hepatoprotection: wedelolactone inhibits NF-κB and TNF-α; aqueous extract shows hepatoprotective activity comparable to silymarin in paracetamol and CCl4-induced models
Antihepatitis B: wedelolactone inhibits HBsAg secretion and HBV DNA replication in vitro at IC50 of 20 μg/mL
Anti-snake venom: wedelolactone potently inhibits phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and metalloprotease activity of Bothrops venom; validated in Brazilian ethnobotanical research
Anti-inflammatory: wedelolactone inhibits 5-lipoxygenase and COX-2; comparable anti-inflammatory activity to indomethacin in mouse ear edema model
Antifungal: α-terthienyl demonstrates potent antifungal activity against dermatophytes under UV activation
Neuroprotection: ecliptalbine alkaloids show cholinesterase inhibitory activity and neuroprotection in oxidative stress models
Antidiabetic: saponin fraction reduces blood glucose and improves lipid profile in streptozotocin-diabetic rats via PPAR-γ and insulin receptor pathways

⚠️ Safety Information

Contraindications

Pregnancy: alkaloid content may stimulate uterine contractions; limited data but caution warranted
Phototoxicity risk: α-terthienyl is activated by UV light; high topical doses of the fresh plant should be used cautiously with UV exposure
Concurrent hepatotoxic drug therapy: while hepatoprotective, monitor liver enzymes when combining with other hepatically-active compounds
Anticoagulation therapy: mild antiplatelet activity; monitor INR with warfarin

Side Effects

Contact dermatitis possible with fresh plant (rare)
Mild diarrhea and gastric upset at doses above 5 g/day dried plant
Phototoxic reactions on skin with topical application followed by sun exposure (α-terthienyl)
Headache at high internal doses

Drug Interactions

Anticoagulants (warfarin, aspirin): antiplatelet activity from wedelolactone; monitor bleeding parameters
Hepatotoxic drugs (acetaminophen, statins): combined hepatoprotection vs. toxicity — generally safe in combination but monitor liver function
Antidiabetics: additive hypoglycemic effect; monitor blood glucose
Testosterone/androgen therapies: potential 5α-reductase inhibitory activity; theoretical interaction with androgen-modulating drugs