Latin:
Eclipta Alba
Hassk.
Family:
Compositae
Vernacular
names:
Sanskrit -
Bhringaraj;
Hindi -
Bhangra;
English -
Bhringaraj;
Bengali -
Kesuti;
Marathi -
Maka; Tamil
- Garuja;
Unani -
Bungrah;
Chinese -
Lichang;
Japanese -
Takasaburo
Part Used:
root and
stems
Ayurvedic
Energetics:
Rasa:
pungent,
bitter
Veerya:
heatingVipaka:
pungentGuna:
light, dry
Doshas: VK-
; P+
Pharmacological Action:
hepatic
deobstruent
and tonic,
alterative,
emetic,
purgative,
antiseptic,
antiviral
Clinical Research:E. Alba protected guinea pigs against mortality
from carbon
tetrachloride-induced
liver damage
. In the
control
group there
was a 77.7%
mortality
rate after
24 hours
versus 22.3%
in the E.
alba-treated
group. Serum
transaminases
were also
significantly
lower in the
treated
group.
Histopathological
examination
of the liver
revealed a
reduction of
parenchymal
damage in
the E.
alba-treated
animals.
Similar
hepatoprotective
effects have
also been
reported in
rabbits .
Gupta,
et.al.
reported E.
alba to
possess
myocardial
depressant
and
hypotensive
effects.
There are
also reports
of clinical
improvement
in the
treatment of
infective
hepatitis ,
. The
alcoholic
extract has
shown
antiviral
activity
against
Ranikhet
disease
virus.
Traditional Uses:
Bhringaraj
is commonly
used as a
deobstruent
to promote
bile flow
and to
protect the
liverparenchymal
tissue in
viral
hepatitis
and other
conditions
involving
hepatic
enlargement.
The fresh
juice of the
leaves is
given in the
treatment of
edema,
fevers,
liver
disorders,
and
rheumatic
joint pains;
it is also
used to
improve the
appetite and
to stimulate
digestion.
The juice is
given with
honey to
treat upper
respiratory
congestion
in children.
A hair oil
prepared
from boiling
the fresh
leaves with
either
coconut or
sesame oil
renders the
hair black
and
lustrous. It
is popularly
used to
enhance the
memory and
has a
reputation
as an
antiaging
agent in
Ayurveda. An
herbal
poultice is
made with
sesame oil
and used
over
glandular
swellings
and various
skin
conditions.
The leaf
juice is
also
effective
when applied
externally
to treat
minor cuts,
abrasions,
and burns.
Indications:
viral
hepatitis,
hepatic
enlargement
with biliary
stasis, hair
hygiene,
impaired
memory,
minor cuts,
abrasions
and burns.
Formulations
and
Dosage:fresh
leaf juice :
24 ml
tidleaf
powder : 4
grams
