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Limited evidenceJoints & skin

Bhringraj (Eclipta Alba)

An Ayurvedic herb famous for hair growth and liver support. The hair evidence is entirely from rodents and cell studies; the only human trial looked at blood pressure.

Evidence last reviewed: August 2026

What the science says

  • Hair growth Limited evidence

    A laboratory and animal study found that Eclipta prostrata extract induced the anagen growth phase in mice and altered FGF-7 and FGF-5 expression. No randomized controlled trial of oral or topical bhringraj for hair loss in humans is indexed in PubMed.

  • Blood pressure and cholesterol Limited evidence

    A small pilot study in mildly hypertensive subjects reported diuretic, hypotensive and cholesterol-lowering effects. It was explicitly a pilot with a small sample, and it has not been replicated.

  • Liver support Limited evidence

    Reviews of Eclipta prostrata catalogue hepatoprotective activity in chemically induced liver injury models in rodents. There are no controlled human trials for liver disease of any kind.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseNo clinically validated dose. Traditional and label doses are 500–1,000 mg of leaf powder or extract daily, or an oil applied to the scalp.
SafetyLong history of dietary and topical use with little formal safety data. Reports of contact dermatitis with topical use exist. Because of a lack of data, avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding; people with liver disease should not self-treat with it.

Scientific references

Where to buy

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