Encyclopedia · botanical
Bhringraj
Bhringraj is the Ayurvedic "king of hair" herb; extracts speed regrowth in rats and mice, but no human hair trial was found.
What it is
Bhringraj is Eclipta alba (also called E. prostrata), a small weed used in Ayurveda as an oil infusion (leaves steeped in sesame or coconut oil), a juice or a powder. Traditional claims include growth and delaying graying.
How it works
Rodent studies show earlier telogen-to-anagen conversion with FGF-7 and Shh-positive follicles (Datta 2009), and lower TGF-beta1 with more matrix keratinocytes in nude mice (Begum 2015).
What the studies show
- In male albino rats, petroleum-ether and ethanol extracts halved the time to hair-growth initiation, and 2% and 5% extracts beat 2% minoxidil in the model. Roy 2008
- In C57BL/6 mice, a methanol extract promoted the switch from telogen to anagen in a dose-dependent way. Datta 2009
- In nude mice, a petroleum-ether extract caused follicle enlargement, more proliferation and less TGF-beta1. Begum 2015
All hair data are from animals, which transfer poorly to human pattern baldness. The petroleum-ether extracts used are not what is in a bhringraj hair oil.
How it's used in studies
Rodents received 2-5% extract in a cream or vehicle on shaved skin. Commercial oils use an undefined extract concentration.
Side effects and safety
No human hair safety data were found. Herbal oils are mostly coconut or sesame, so sesame or coconut allergy and scalp irritation are the practical concerns. Oils are sometimes heavily scented.
Bottom line
Weak evidence. It is harmless-looking and culturally important, but there is no evidence in people. If you like it, treat it as a scalp-massage oil. Claims of reversing graying have no data behind them.
Studies 3
Roy RK, Thakur M, Dixit VK. Hair growth promoting activity of Eclipta alba in male albino rats. Arch Dermatol Res. 2008
Tested: petroleum-ether and ethanol extracts of Eclipta alba, 2% and 5%
Result: Halved the time to hair-growth start; 2% and 5% extracts beat 2% minoxidil in this model.
Read the study ↗Datta K et al. Eclipta alba extract with potential for hair growth promoting activity. J Ethnopharmacol. 2009
Tested: methanol extract of Eclipta alba
Result: Promoted the switch from telogen to anagen in a dose-dependent way.
Read the study ↗Begum S et al. Exogenous stimulation with Eclipta alba promotes hair matrix keratinocyte proliferation and downregulates TGF-beta1 expression in nude mice. Int J Mol Med. 2015
Tested: petroleum-ether extract of Eclipta alba
Result: Follicle enlargement, more matrix cell proliferation and lower TGF-beta1.
Read the study ↗Related
- AmlaAmla fruit has one small positive placebo-controlled trial of an oral syrup in women with pattern hair loss, plus lab and animal data; amla oils and masks are tradition.
- HibiscusHibiscus leaf and flower extracts grew hair in rats and cultured rat follicles, but no human hair trial exists.
- Castor oilCastor oil is a thick sealant that suits dry hair, but no controlled human trial shows it grows hair, and in rare cases it has matted a whole head of hair irreversibly.