Bhringraj
Eclipta prostrata
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).
| Botanical name | Eclipta prostrata |
|---|---|
| Family | Asteraceae · other entries in this family |
| Order | Asterales |
| 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. |
| Taxon identifiers | GBIF 5384950 · Wikidata Q857092 · NCBI Taxonomy 53719 |
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Bhringraj |
How does it work?
- Hair growth: 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 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, apigenin) provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects on scalp tissue.
- 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. Journal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 38844249 · doi: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. Biomolecules. PMID 34827736 · doi:10.3390/biom11111738
Systematic review of over 100 studies confirmed hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, 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 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, Beta-sitosterol, 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 for hair growth and Keshya Taila formulations
- With Bhumyamalaki for hepatoprotective synergy
- With Kutki for liver disorders
- With Brahmi for hair oil and cognitive benefits
- With coconut oil or sesame oil as base for scalp application
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Other clinical studies and reviews5
- 2025. Screening the Active Phytochemicals From Eclipta prostrata and Unraveling Their Molecular Insight Into Human MalignanciesCancer innovation. PMID 41439000 · doi:10.1002/cai2.70038
- 2021. Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. (Asteraceae): Ethnomedicinal Uses, Chemical Constituents, and Biological ActivitiesBiomolecules. PMID 34827736 · doi:10.3390/biom11111738
- 2019. A review on traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology of Eclipta prostrata (L.) LJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 31395303 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2019.112109
- 2017. Ethnopharmacological uses, phytochemistry, biological activities, and biotechnological applications of Eclipta prostrataApplied microbiology and biotechnology. PMID 28623383 · doi:10.1007/s00253-017-8363-9
- 1992. Plants with a reputation against snakebiteToxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology. PMID 1440620 · doi:10.1016/0041-0101(92)90429-9
Laboratory and animal studies7
- 2025. Wedelolactone Ameliorates Ischemic Stroke by Inhibiting Oxidative Damage and Ferroptosis via HIF-1α/SLC7A11/GPX4 SignalingDrug design, development and therapy. PMID 40810078 · doi:10.2147/DDDT.S528831
- 2024. Discovery of petroleum ether extract of eclipta targeting p53/Fas pathway for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced alopecia: Network pharmacology and experimental validationJournal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 38844249 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2024.118405
- 2024. Ethanol extract of Eclipta prostrata induces multiple myeloma ferroptosis via Keap1/Nrf2/HO-1 axisPhytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. PMID 38507850 · doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2024.155401
- 2023. Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activities of Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. Extract and Isolated CompoundsMolecules (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 37959773 · doi:10.3390/molecules28217354
- 2022. Wedelolactone, a Component from Eclipta prostrata (L.) L., Inhibits the Proliferation and Migration of Head and Neck Squamous Cancer Cells through the AhR PathwayCurrent pharmaceutical biotechnology. PMID 35255785 · doi:10.2174/1389201023666220307110554
- 2020. Bioactive terpenoid constituents from Eclipta prostrataPhytochemistry. PMID 31726325 · doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2019.112192
- 2012. Eclipta prostrata L. phytochemicals: isolation, structure elucidation, and their antitumor activityFood and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association. PMID 22902823 · doi:10.1016/j.fct.2012.08.007
Available from Age Ayurveda
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Grow and Glow Hair OilA herbal hair taila, traditionally used to support scalp health and hair strength.
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