# Bhringraj

> Bhringraj (Eclipta prostrata) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) Part I as a hepatoprotective herb (monograph name: Bhringaraja).

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Eclipta prostrata
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** Listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) Part I as a hepatoprotective herb (monograph name: Bhringaraja). Recognized in Ayurveda, Unani (as Bhangraa), and Siddha (as Karissalaankanni) traditional medicine systems. No standalone WHO monograph identified, but referenced in WHO traditional medicine databases. Important Ayurvedic formulations include Bhringaraja Taila, Niuli Bhringaradi Taila, and Bhringarajasava.

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Bhringraj |

## How does it work?

- Hair growth: [Wedelolactone](/glossary/compounds-t-z/#wedelolactone) activates Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway, increases dermal papilla cell proliferation, and binds VEGF receptor.
- Hair growth: Inhibits 5-alpha-reductase activity (similar to finasteride); inhibits TGF-beta1 expression, promoting hair matrix cell proliferation.
- Hair growth: Promotes anagen phase induction and sustenance through regulation of FGF-7 (upregulation) and FGF-5 (downregulation).
- Hepatoprotection: Wedelolactone and [demethylwedelolactone](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#demethylwedelolactone) display hepatocyto-protective action, enabling liver cell regeneration and ameliorating hepatic injury from oxidative stress.
- Hepatoprotection: Reduces fat deposition, mononuclear infiltration, and necrotic foci while stimulating hepatocyte regeneration.
- Anti-inflammatory: Flavonoid constituents ([luteolin](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#luteolin), [apigenin](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#apigenin)) provide [antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/) and anti-inflammatory effects on scalp tissue.
- [Antihypertensive](/glossary/pharmacology/#antihypertensive): Increases urine volume and modulates lipid metabolism markers.

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Wang W, Wang H, Luo Y and others 2024. [Discovery of petroleum ether extract of eclipta targeting p53/Fas pathway for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced alopecia: Network pharmacology and experimental validation](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38844249/). *Journal of ethnopharmacology*. PMID [38844249](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38844249/) · [doi:10.1016/j.jep.2024.118405](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2024.118405)  
  Network pharmacology and experimental validation confirmed Eclipta extract modulates the p53/Fas pathway, promoting hair matrix cell proliferation by inhibiting TGF-beta1 expression.
- Timalsina D, Devkota HP 2021. [Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. (Asteraceae): Ethnomedicinal Uses, Chemical Constituents, and Biological Activities](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34827736/). *Biomolecules*. PMID [34827736](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34827736/) · [doi:10.3390/biom11111738](https://doi.org/10.3390/biom11111738)  
  Systematic review of over 100 studies confirmed hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, [antimicrobial](/reference/antimicrobial/), antioxidant, and hair-growth-promoting activities. Identified wedelolactone, eclalbasaponins, ursolic acid, and luteolin as key bioactives.

*3 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.*

## Recent safety updates

- Generally considered safe for most healthy adults at moderate doses; low risk of serious side effects when used appropriately.
- Biphasic hepatic effect demonstrated: small-to-moderate doses are hepatoprotective, but large doses are hepatotoxic in animal studies.
- Drug interaction: Eclipta significantly increases 11-beta-HSD enzyme activity, increasing plasma prednisolone concentration when coadministered with glucocorticoids.
- Drug interaction: Reduces multidrug resistance to chemotherapy agents in human cancer cell lines via effects on P-glycoprotein systems.
- Avoid during pregnancy and lactation due to insufficient safety data and potential liver toxicity at high doses.
- A case report of fixed drug eruption was documented after an Ayurvedic supplement containing Eclipta alba and Withania somnifera.
- No well-controlled human safety trials; most toxicity data derived from animal models.

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (powder), Taila (oil), Swarasa (fresh juice), Tablet, Capsule, Kashayam (decoction), Keshya Taila (hair oil), Bhringrajasava (fermented)

**Standard Dosage:** 3-5g powder twice daily; 10-20ml fresh juice; 500mg extract capsule twice daily; Taila for external scalp application liberally

**Bioavailability:** Wedelolactone shows moderate oral bioavailability (~30%) with significant hepatic first-pass metabolism. Coumestans are well absorbed from the GI tract. Eclalbasaponins have low oral bioavailability (<15%)—lipid formulations recommended. Phytosomes of Bhringraj extract show 3-4x improved bioavailability of wedelolactone. Fresh juice (Swarasa) provides highest bioavailability of water-soluble actives.

**Optimal Timing:** Morning on empty stomach for liver health; Taila application 30 minutes before hair wash; juice early morning for general rejuvenation

**Standardized Extract:** Whole herb extract standardized to wedelolactone NLT 5%; ecliptasaponin NLT 1%. Hair oil: 10% w/v Bhringraj extract in sesame/[coconut oil](/glossary/concepts-a-m/#coconut-oil) base.

**Shelf Life:** 2 years (powder); 3 years (tablet/capsule); 3-5 years (Taila); 3 days (fresh juice, refrigerated)

**Storage:** Powder and tablets in airtight containers away from light. Oil preparations in amber glass bottles. Fresh juice must be refrigerated and used within 72 hours.

**Marker Compounds:** Wedelolactone, Demethylwedelolactone, Ecliptasaponin A-D, Eclalbatin, Luteolin, [Apigenin](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#apigenin), Beta-[sitosterol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sitosterol), [Stigmasterol](/reference/stigmasterol/), Coumestan

### Extraction Methods

- Hydroalcoholic extraction (60:40 ethanol:water)
- Cold pressing for fresh juice (Swarasa)
- Traditional Taila preparation (1:4:16 kalka:taila:kwath ratio)
- Supercritical CO2 for wedelolactone concentration
- Aqueous decoction for hepatoprotective use
- Ethyl acetate extraction for coumestan-rich fractions

### Synergistic Combinations

- With [Amla](/herb/amla/) for hair growth and Keshya Taila formulations
- With [Bhumyamalaki](/herb/bhumyamalaki/) for hepatoprotective synergy
- With Kutki for liver disorders
- With [Brahmi](/herb/brahmi/) for hair oil and cognitive benefits
- With coconut oil or [sesame oil](/glossary/concepts-m-y/#tila-taila) as base for scalp application

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/bhringraj/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- AgeAyurveda Product Catalog
- Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.