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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.

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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.

How to take it

TimingTiming does not matter for capsules; scalp oil is usually left on 30 to 60 minutes before washing out.
With food?Take capsules with food.
Worth knowingPatch test the oil behind your ear for two days first — contact dermatitis is the most commonly reported problem with topical use.

Frequently asked questions

Does bhringraj oil really grow hair?

The evidence for bhringraj (Eclipta alba) and hair growth is limited: it comes from a laboratory and mouse study showing a shift into the hair growth phase. No randomized controlled trial of oral or topical bhringraj for hair loss in humans has been published.

Is bhringraj good for the liver?

Bhringraj's liver reputation rests on rodent studies of chemically induced liver injury, so the evidence is limited. There are no controlled human trials for any liver disease, and people with liver disease should not self-treat with bhringraj.

How much bhringraj should I take per day?

Bhringraj has no clinically validated dose. Traditional and label doses are 500–1,000 mg of leaf powder or extract daily, taken with food, or an oil left on the scalp for 30 to 60 minutes before washing out.

Does bhringraj oil have side effects?

The main reported problem with topical bhringraj is contact dermatitis, so patch test the oil behind your ear for two days before using it on your scalp. Formal safety data are sparse, so avoid bhringraj in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Scientific references

Related in Joints & skin

Herbal medicines: what the evidence says (335)