Bhringaraj (Eclipta Alba) - the beauty herb
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important question which many patients pose to a Vaidya. Everyone likes
to remain youthful. Many use cosmetics these days; however, to look
good, it is necessary to apply your mind to diet and lifestyle, in
addition to cosmetics. To keep the body fit and looks good, super power
has given us many herbs. Though human body is the most beautiful and
complex creation of the super power, harmony with natutre, ayurvedic
lifestyle is a must to keep it so.
Amongst various herbs entering the cosmetics department, Bhringaraj
comes readily to the mind. It is an excellent hepato tonic. These days
the liver diseases have increased in number. Liver is the mother who
guards our health to maximum, while kidney is father who protects from
evil influence of toxins. Underfunctioning liver causes slowing down of
agni, the digestive power. The reduced digestion causes fatigue,
exhaustion and weakness, which spoils beauty. Increase of acidity of
digestive track, mucous and stickiness in stools, jaundice etc are
consequences. Use of bhringraj reduces the swelling of liver and
kindles true hunger, the digestive agni. Smoking, alcohol, bettle
leaves chewing, excess of tea-coffee increase liver burden, but
Bhringraj causes adequate bile secretion. In most of the stomach
diseases, Aamdosha is the dominating dosha. Worms and undesirable
microbes grow in such ama and cause low stomach pain, piles, sounds in
the intestines after food, bloating, flatulation, foul smell in
flatulation. Under these circumstances, fresh juice of Bhringraj leaves
can be taken every morning empty stomach, 2-3 ml, for three to six
weeks. This improves tone of liver, spleen and digestion. If the dose
is exceeded, vomiting or vomiting sensation can occur. The swelling on
oesophagous occurs when one takes hot, spicy, fried or foods containing
chillies for long time. This swelling progresses into peptic ulcer into
stomach or duodenum. This can result into ulceration as well as hiatus
hernia. In all these cases fresh bhringaraja juice (swaras in
traditional texts) gives very beneficial results. Those who can not
obtain or make fresh juice, can bring leaves, let them dry in shade and
make powder. This powder must be mixed in fresh leaves juice to make
small tablets. The tablets can be taken about 250 mg empty stomach and
at bed time as a liver tonic.
The Bhringraj is a well known hair tonic, helping to stop hair loss. If
hair are turning gray prematurely, the color will return to natural.
Increases R.B.C. in blood. Due to reduced exhaustion one can easily go
on staircases without panting. Bhringraj also helps in elimination of
worms. The anxiety reduces for those doing intelligent work. Due to
improvement in the liver tone, the blemishes on face also ligten and
bringing natural color to the face. The raw undigested ama reduces,
helping dissolving the extra `Meda'. What is not well known about
Bhringaraj is that it helps in dissolving this `Meda' albeit very
slowly. Urine, sweat and motions eliminate the extra `Meda'. In all
ayurvedic texts, Bhringaraj is praised as a Rasayana and causing
Vajikarana. Bhringaraj, if used properly, can reduce sexual weakness,
by improving liver. Liver has an important role in sexual life.
Bhringaraj is almost an elixir in several other respects. Thus migraine
headache, vertigo, the heat getting rejected, (burning sensation)
through feet soles and palms, feverish feeling but thermometer shows
normal temperature, whole body is felt as hot only by patients, etc are
some of ailments, where Bhringaraj is the herb of first choice.
Bhringraj is useful not only as hair grower, but also in night-
blindness. One shloka in ancient texts translates thus: A person who
takes bhringaraj swarasa early morning empty stomach, and keeps certain
food restrictions (Pathya), he becomes strong and with rich semen (Bal
and Veerya yukta) and lives hundred years. This experiment can be
carried out for about two months every year, when fresh bhringraj
leaves are available plenty.
Few other receipe using Bhringaraj are as follows:
1. If one takes Amalki, sesame seeds and bhringaraj juice in the same
order, he will not have any ailments of five senses.
2. The well known medicine Sutshekhar Ras used for hyper acidity, GERD,
(amlapitta, vidagdha ajirna) is also made by using fresh juice of
bhringaraja as binder. Aarogyavardhini Ras is another medicine for
liver, prepared by using Bhringaraj swaras as binder, though many
pharmacies use neem juice also as binder, reducing cost. This tablet
differs in cost according to bhasmas used in preparation, and almost
200% variation can be seen in Indian pharmacies.
3. Well known medicine for worms of all types, i.e. Krumi Kuthar is
also made by using Bhringaraj fresh juice as binder.
Thus Bhringaraj reduces Kapha, increases Haemoglobin, strengthens
bones, and acts as tonic for eyes, brain, intestines, liver, spleen.
The Bhringaraj oil is best hair tonic. While Brahmi oil makes brain
cool, Amalki oil makes hair very smooth, Bhringaraj oil reduces
dandruff, removes old hair and grows fresh hair. The pores in the
scalp open due to this oil. Hence the name `Keshranjan'.
Few more uses of this king herb are also in order. Useful in skin
diseases too. Gives Relief in Leucoderma. Along with other medicines,
acts as supportive in epilepsy, (Apasmara, achaki, khech etc), excess
urination (Mutratisar). With ajwain powder, it is powerful pitta
pacifier.
Gargling with Bhringaraj decoction helps in tooth pain, gum bleeds,
pain, swelling.
In response to the querry by Alstrup, author would say that Bhringaraj
and Jatamasi will make an excellent combination, and what is offered is
best remedy that can be communicated over the net, where real problems
of patient, the root cause of hair loss can not be ascertained.
However, the combination is not harmful in any manner.
Dr Shirish Bhate (shiris...@yahoo.com)
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