Bhringraj: the 'king of hair' herb, explained
Why Ayurveda prizes bhringraj for hair, what animal studies have found, and why human evidence is still missing.
2 min read · Updated 2026-11-14
The herb in the name
Bhringraj is often translated as "king of hair". The plant, Eclipta alba or Eclipta prostrata, is a small member of the sunflower family that grows in damp places across India, Thailand and Brazil. Ayurveda has used it for the scalp and hair, as well as for the liver, for centuries, usually as a herbal oil.
What the rat study found
The study most often quoted was published in Archives of Dermatological Research in 2008. Researchers made extracts of the plant, blended them into a cream and applied it to shaved skin on rats. A 2% minoxidil solution served as the comparison.
With a 5% petroleum ether extract, hair started growing again in about half the time of untreated animals. Counting follicles in the active growth phase, the treated group averaged 69 against 47 in controls, and both the 2% and 5% extracts did better than 2% minoxidil.
A separate study in mice, published by Indian researchers in 2012, found a fraction of the extract helped hair growth recover after a chemotherapy drug had stopped it.
Why that is not the end of the story
Rodent skin is not human scalp, and hair loss in people has many causes, from genetics to hormones to stress. A 2023 health review summarised the position plainly: most bhringraj research is old and was done on rats, so more human studies are needed to confirm any effect on people.
| What we know | What we do not know |
|---|---|
| Long traditional use in hair oils | Whether it changes hair growth in people |
| Positive results in rats and mice | Effective human dose and form |
| Generally gentle when used on the scalp | Long-term human safety data |
How to use it today
Bhringraj fits best in a regular oiling routine. Massage the oil into the scalp an hour or more before washing. Kart Naturals uses bhringraj with fenugreek and tea tree in its scalp tonic.
If you are losing hair suddenly or in patches, see a dermatologist. Herbal care is a good companion to medical advice, never a replacement for it.
Questions
What is bhringraj called in English?
False daisy. Its botanical names are Eclipta alba and Eclipta prostrata.
Is bhringraj proven to regrow hair?
No. The best-known studies were done on rats and mice. Human clinical trials are still needed.
How is bhringraj used?
Traditionally as an oil, made by cooking the leaves in a carrier oil, massaged into the scalp before washing.
Sources
- Roy RK, Thakur M, Dixit VK. Hair growth promoting activity of Eclipta alba in male albino rats. Arch Dermatol Res 2008;300(7):357-64
- Datta K et al. Eclipta alba extract with potential for reversing chemotherapy-induced alopecia: an experimental study in mice. Ann Natl Acad Med Sci (India) 2012;48:43-64
- Healthline. Bhringraj oil: benefits and research
This guide is general information about traditional and natural care. It is not medical advice. For a skin, scalp or health condition, speak to a dermatologist or qualified practitioner.
