5 Amazing Benefits of Bhringraj Oil for Your Hair

Bhringraj is the Ayurvedic name for Eclipta prostrata, a plant species in the sunflower family. Its other names include false daisy, bhangra, karisalankanni, and yerba de tago. Eclipta prostrata is widespread across warm temperate to tropical areas worldwide, including India, Nepal, China, Thailand, and Brazil.

Bhringraj is valued in traditional medicine for its high content of various phytochemicals such as flavonoids, triterpenes, sterols, steroids, thriphene derivatives, polyacetylenes, polypeptides, and coumestans. Bhringraj oil, obtained by mixing bhringraj extract with coconut or another carrier oil, is most often used for hair care due to its ability to improve the strength and growth of the hair. What are the hair benefits of bhringraj oil?

1. Improves Hair Growth and Reduces Hair Loss

When you massage bhringraj oil into your scalp, it helps boost blood circulation, ensuring that your follicles get enough nutrients and oxygen to grow healthy hair. As a result, the hair sheds less and grows faster.

2. Relieves Dry and Itchy Scalp

Like most carrier oils, bhringraj oil has moisture-locking properties. It easily penetrates the scalp and prevents dryness, itching and flaking without making your hair look and feel greasy. In addition, bhringraj oil produces an anti-inflammatory effect.

3. Combats Dandruff

There are many causes for dandruff, but the majority of time this skin condition is caused by microorganisms (certain types of bacteria or the yeast-like fungus Malassezia furfur). Bhringraj oil has antiseptic properties, meaning that it is effective in killing pathogenic bacteria and fungi that grow in skin oil.

4. Prevents Brittle Hair and Split Ends

Thanks to its moisturizing and nourishing properties, bhringraj oil effectively strengthens the hair and improves its structure, elasticity and flexibility, preventing brittle hair and split ends.

5. Restores Healthy Shine

Healthy hair has a shine to it that’s hard to confuse with anything else. By providing your hair with the moisture and nutrients it needs, bhringraj oil restores its healthy shine and keeps your hair from looking dull and straw-like.

How to Use Bhringraj Oil for Hair Growth

Most often, bhringraj oil is used as a hair growth treatment. To boost hair growth, you need to heat 2 tbsp oil in a double boiler or a microwave until it is warm, apply the oil onto your scalp and massage gently. Put on a shower cap, wrap your head in a towel, and leave the oil on for 30 to 45 minutes. Then wash your hair thoroughly with a sulfate-free shampoo. For a visible effect, apply bhringraj oil 2 or 3 times a week.

For additional hair benefits, you can combine bhringraj oil with other carrier oils or Ayurvedic herbs. For example, sesame oil provides additional protection from sun damage, amla (Indian gooseberry) has antioxidant properties and therefore prevents premature graying, coconut oil prevents dry and frizzy hair, and castor oil improves overall hair health and texture.