Talk:Bhrungaraja
| Section/Chapter | Herb database/Bhrungaraja |
|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Eclipta prostrata Linn. |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Availability | Available |
| Contributors | Team Dravyaguna |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | Awaited |
Eclipta prostrata Linn. (syn. Eclipta alba (Linn.) Hassk.), popularly known as Bhrungaraja (False Daisy), is a small, branched, annual herb belonging to the family Asteraceae. It is highly revered in Ayurveda as a primary Rasayana (rejuvenative) and Kesya (hair-promoting) drug, traditionally utilized for managing liver disorders, hair loss, and respiratory conditions.
English name
False daisy, Yerba de tago
Therapeutic uses
Sotha (oedema), Svasa (dyspnea), Kasa (cough), Pandu (anemia), Yakrutaroga (liver disease), Krumiroga (worms), Shirahashoola (headache), Hridroga (heart disease)[1]
Synonyms in Charak Samhita
Bhrungaraja
Synonyms in Bhavaprakasha Nighantu
Bhrungarajo, Markava (prevents premature greying of hair), Bhrunga, Angaraka, Kesharaja (good effect on hair), Kesharanjana, Bhrungara[2]
Varieties
Raja Nighantu
Mentioned 3 types[3]
- Sweta (White)
- Pita (Yellow)
- Nila (Blue)
Botanical Profile & Traditional Context
In traditional Ayurvedic therapeutics, Bhrungaraja is classified as a potent Rasayana with pungent (katu) and bitter (tikta) tastes, hot potency (ushna veerya), and dry/sharp qualities (ruksha, tikshna guna). It acts as a kaphahara, vatahara, amahara, kesya, and chakshushya agent, holding a supreme reputation for nourishing hair, supporting liver detoxification, and improving vitality.[2]
Ayurvedic pharmacological properties
| Sr.no. | Pharmacological criteria | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taste (rasa) | Pungent (katu), Bitter (tikta)[2] |
| 2 | Potency (veerya) | Hot (ushna)[2] |
| 3 | Post digestion effect (vipaka) | Pungent (katu)[2] |
| 4 | Qualities (guna) | Dry (ruksha), Sharp (tikshna)[2] |
| 5 | Actions (karma) | Balya, kaphahara, vatahara, amahara, rasayana, kesya, chakshushya, vishahara[2] |
Reference in Charak Samhita and its actions
| Sr.no. | Reference in Charak Samhita | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha.Sa.Kalpa Sthana 1/25 | Vamanartha (for therapeutic emesis) |
Dose
- Juice form: 3–6 ml[1]
Important formulations
As per A.P.I.[1]
- Bhrungamalakadi taila
- Bhrungaraja taila
- Bhrungarajasava
Current availability
Available
- In India – Found throughout India, particularly growing abundantly in damp situations across Karnataka, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Maharashtra[1].
Phytoconstituents
The coumestans wedelolactone and demethylwedelolactone are regarded as the main active principles behind the liver-protective action of Eclipta prostrata.[4] The plant also contains flavonoids (such as luteolin, luteolin-7-O-β-D-glucoside and apigenin), phenolic acids (such as protocatechuic acid and caffeic acid), triterpenoid saponins and triterpenes (such as eclalbasaponins, echinocystic acid and oleanolic acid), sterols (β-sitosterol and stigmasterol), steroidal alkaloids of the verazine type, and thiophene derivatives (such as α-terthienylmethanol).[5]
Pharmacological Activities & Therapeutic Efficacy
Hepatoprotective Action (Yakrutaroga)
Bhrungaraja is the best-known drug in Ayurveda for liver disorders, and its hepatoprotective action has been tested in experimental liver injury models.
- Scientific Evidence: An alcoholic extract of freshly collected Eclipta alba showed dose-dependent, significant protection against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in rats and mice. The protection was assessed through hexobarbitone-induced sleep time, zoxazolamine-induced paralysis time, bromosulphalein clearance, and serum levels of transaminases, bilirubin and protein.[6]
Hair Growth Promotion (Kesya)
The classical description of Bhrungaraja as Kesya is supported by animal studies on hair growth.
- Scientific Evidence: Petroleum ether and ethanol extracts, applied topically as a cream on shaved skin of albino rats, halved the time for hair growth to start and shortened the time for complete hair growth. The 5% petroleum ether extract gave more follicles in the anagen phase (69 ± 4) than the control (47 ± 13), and the 2% and 5% petroleum ether extracts performed better than 2% minoxidil.[7]
- Mechanism: In C57BL/6N mice, an oral methanol extract of Eclipta prostrata enhanced the induction of anagen, increased FGF-7 expression and decreased FGF-5 expression. In human dermal papilla cells the extract also increased FGF-7 and activated mTOR signalling.[8]
Wound Healing
Traditional local use of the leaves on wounds has been examined in rats.
- Scientific Evidence: An ethanolic leaf extract at two dose levels (150 and 300 mg/kg) was tested in incision, excision and dead-space wound models. Treated rats showed higher skin breaking strength, granuloma breaking strength, wound contraction, hydroxyproline content and dry granuloma weight, together with a shorter epithelialisation period.[9]
- Mechanism: Granuloma tissue from treated rats had higher levels of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase, and histology showed more collagen deposition. The authors attributed the effect to free radical scavenging and improved collagen formation.[9]
Safety and Toxicity
- Oral toxicity (animal study): An alcoholic extract of Eclipta alba given by gavage to rats at 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000 mg/kg for 15 days produced no signs of toxicity, no significant change in body weight, and no significant change in liver (ALT, AST, ALP, bilirubin) or kidney (creatinine, BUN) markers.[10]
- Standard therapeutic dose: Fresh leaf juice (swarasa) 3–6 ml.[1]
- Precautions: Use under the guidance of a qualified Ayurveda physician, particularly in chronic conditions or when taking conventional medicines. Medicated oils and decoctions are to be used as directed by the physician.
Research Gaps
Most of the pharmacological evidence for Bhrungaraja comes from in vitro and animal studies. Detailed mechanism studies and properly designed clinical studies are still needed to establish its safety and efficacy in humans.[5]
Summary of Therapeutic Profile
| Indication | Preparation studied | Model | Principal finding | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liver disorders / Yakrutaroga | Alcoholic extract | CCl4-induced liver injury, rats and mice | Dose-dependent hepatoprotection; improved serum transaminases, bilirubin and protein | [6] |
| Hair loss / Alopecia | Petroleum ether and ethanol extracts (topical cream) | Albino rats | Earlier onset and completion of hair growth; more anagen follicles | [7] |
| Wounds / Vrana | Ethanolic leaf extract | Incision, excision and dead-space wounds in rats | Faster contraction and epithelialisation; higher collagen content | [9] |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 2: 10.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Shri Bhavamishra, Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Guduchyadi Varga, verse no. 239, Edited by Padmashree Pro. Krushnachandra Chunekar, Reprint Edition, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, 2020.
- ↑ Dr. Indradev Tripathi, Raja Nighantu of Pandit Narahari, ed. 2006, Chaukhambha Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi, Shatavhadi Varga.
- ↑ Wagner, H.; Geyer, B.; Kiso, Y.; Hikino, H.; Rao, G. S. (1986). "Coumestans as the main active principles of the liver drugs Eclipta alba and Wedelia calendulacea". Planta Medica. 52 (5): 370–374. PMID 3797500. doi:10.1055/s-2007-969188.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Timalsina, D.; Devkota, H. P. (2021). "Eclipta prostrata (L.) L. (Asteraceae): Ethnomedicinal uses, chemical constituents, and biological activities". Biomolecules. 11 (11): 1738. PMID 34827736 Check
|pmid=value (help). doi:10.3390/biom11111738. - ↑ 6.0 6.1 Singh, B.; Saxena, A. K.; Chandan, B. K.; Agarwal, S. G.; Bhatia, M. S.; Anand, K. K. (1993). "Hepatoprotective effect of ethanolic extract of Eclipta alba on experimental liver damage in rats and mice". Phytotherapy Research. 7 (2): 154–158. doi:10.1002/ptr.2650070212.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Roy, R. K.; Thakur, M.; Dixit, V. K. (2008). "Hair growth promoting activity of Eclipta alba in male albino rats". Archives of Dermatological Research. 300 (7): 357–364. PMID 18478241. doi:10.1007/s00403-008-0860-3.
- ↑ Lee, K. H.; Choi, D.; Jeong, S. I.; Kim, S. J.; Lee, C. H.; Seo, H. S.; Jeong, H. S. (2019). "Eclipta prostrata promotes the induction of anagen, sustains the anagen phase through regulation of FGF-7 and FGF-5". Pharmaceutical Biology. 57 (1): 105–111. PMID 30757935 Check
|pmid=value (help). doi:10.1080/13880209.2018.1561729. - ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Sharma, S.; Sikarwar, M. S. (2008). "Wound healing activity of ethanolic extract of leaves of Eclipta alba". Pharmacognosy Magazine. 4 (13 (Suppl)): 108–111.
- ↑ Yadav, N. K.; Arya, R. K.; Dev, K.; Sharma, C.; Hossain, Z.; Meena, S.; Arya, K. R.; Gayen, J. R.; Datta, D.; Singh, R. K. (2017). "Alcoholic extract of Eclipta alba shows in vitro antioxidant and anticancer activity without exhibiting toxicological effects". Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. 2017: 9094641. PMID 28250894. doi:10.1155/2017/9094641.