False Daisy

Commonly known as False Daisy, yerba de tago, and bhringraj, Eclipta is a plant belonging to the family Asteraceae which grows abundantly in the tropics and is used with success in Ayurvedic medicine.

The herb is also Yunani medicine. According to Ayurveda, Eclipta is bitter, hot fattening, alterative, anthelminticum, and alexipharmic. The Eclipta or bhringraj leaf extract is considered a powerful liver tonic, rejuvenative, and especially good for the hair. A mixture of Eclipta and mineral oil keeps the hair dark and lustrous; when applied to the scalp it promotes hair growth.

The herb Eclipta alba (bhringraj) contains mainly coumestans i.e. wedelolactone (I) and demethylwedelolactone (II), polypeptides, polyacetylenes, thiophene-derivatives, steroids, triterpenes and flavonoids. Eclipta alba (bhringraj) is also used against anemia, eye diseases, asthma and dysentery. It is believed that the juice of Eclipta when added with honey, can treat upper respiratory congestion in children.

Eclipta alba (bhringraj) is the best known herb for preventing balding and premature graying. The whole plant and seeds of bhringraj have great medicinal value. Bhrngaraja is equally useful both, internally as well as externally. A black dye obtained from Eclipta alba is also for dyeing hair and tattooing.

The Eclipta alba (bhringraj) leaf juice boiled with sesame or coconut oil for anointing the head to render the hair black and luxuriant has been practiced since ancient times. Oil prepared out of amla (Indian gooseberry) and Eclipta and sometimes with brahmi is very popular formula as hair oil and is used to blacken the hair.

Eclipta is also 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.