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Bhringaraj

Botanical Name(s): Eclipta Alba
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Asterales
Family: Asteraceae
Genus: Eclipta L.
Species: Eclipta prostrata (L.)
Popular Name(s): Babri, Galagara, Gunta-kalagara, Kaikeshi, Karisha-langanni, Karisirang-kanni, Kesharaji, Kesuri, Kesuria, Kesutti, Maka, Mochkand
Parts Used: Herb, roots, leaves
Habitat: Throughout India & Southwestern America

Description
Bhringaraj is a creeping and moisture-loving herb. It has a short, flat or round stem and small white flowers on a long stalk. It grows 3" tall; the leaves are opposite and lance shaped. The roots of the pant are well developed, cylindrical and grayish in color. Floral heads are solitary, white in color, achene compressed, narrowly winged and 6-8 mm in diameter. The plant grows commonly in moist places all over the world, as a weed.

Plant Chemicals
The extract obtained from Bhringaraj plant contains an alkaloid called ecliptine. This extract is resinous in nature. The leaves of the plant contain a rich amount of protein. The chief constituents of Bhringaraj are coumestan derivatives like wedololactone[1.6%], demethylwedelolactone, desmethyl-wedelolactone-7glucoside and other constituents are ecliptal, ß-amyrin, luteolin-7-O-glucoside, hentriacontanol, heptacosanol, stigmasterol. It is known for its anticancer, antileprotic, analgesic, antioxidant, antimyotoxic, antihaemorrhagic, antihepatotoxic, antiviral, antibacterial, spasmogenic, hypotensive and ovicidal properties.

Uses & Benefits of Bhringaraj