Amazing Hair, Skin & Health Benefits of Bhringraj | Karisalankanni
Bhringraj called karisalankanni in Tamil is known to many mainly for it's use in making bhringraj hair oil. Bhringraj hair oil is an amazing hair treatment that solves many hair problems. But bhringraj has other amazing health and medicinal benefits too - it treats anemia, skin diseases and cold related problems. If you don't get fresh leaves, you can try using the bhringraj powder, that is available everywhere now. If you don't like to consume bhringraj powder, then try the bhringraj capsules, but I prefer to use only the fresh herb. There are 2 varieties of bhringraj, one variety produces yellow flowers and the other variety produces beautiful small white flowers. Bhringraj's botanical name is Eclipta Alba and it's English name is False Daisy. I usually have bhringraj plants in the garden and I strongly suggest that you grow this amazing herb in your garden too, to enjoy it's many health benefits. This plant needs very little to no maintenance and regular watering and little bit of natural manure will be enough to maintain this wonderful plant. In Tamil Nadu, bhringraj is considered a sacred herb and is valued very highly for it's wonderful uses. Including karisalankanni in the diet regularly will prevent anemia and all liver related diseases. Try to include this herb in the diet of young children, if consumed from an early age, it will protect them from many diseases. Out of the two varietys of bhringraj, the yellow variety is used more for home remedies. The best way to consume it is to include it in our dhal or just make a simple filling for dosa by frying onions in little bit of oil and then add the greens and saute well, till it reduced in quantity and is cooked. Now add little bit of pepper powder, salt and little bit of freshly gated coconut. Saute well till there is no moisture left. Use this as a filling for dosas, sandwiches, rotis. Once we learn to cook with this amazing herb, we will continue to use it regularly in our diet.
1. Bhringraj for Hair loss, Grey hair & Hair Regrowth:
The best way to use bhringraj for hair is by making a hair oil with it. This bhringraj oil has amazing hair benefits. It prevents hair fall, premature greying, strengthens the hair roots, conditions the hair well, prevents split ends, stimulates hair growth, prevents baldness, premature greying and alopecia - in short everything that is needed for a healthy hair. Nowadays bhringraj oil is marketed everywhere, but you can make your own pure bhringraj oil at home very easily. I prefer to use homemade coconut oil that is not refined for making this oil and I would strongly suggest that you do the same for best results. You can identify this plant easily with it's flowers and it is also used extensively in home remedies. This oil can be made in two ways, the first method is made by grinding the bhringraj leaves without water and making it into small rounds and then sun drying it till crisp. Then the rounds are added to coconut oil in a glass jar and placed in hot sunlight till the color of the oil changes. This method takes around 3 to 4 days for the rounds to dry and for the coconut oil to get heated up. This method is best done during hot summer months. I did the second method, which is made by directly heating the paste in coconut oil. This oil has a beautiful green color and a unique pleasant smell. When I made this oil, the whole house was smelling of this oil. To use this oil, massage it well into the scalp before having your hair wash regularly and let it soak for at least 30 minutes. This oil stores well for up to 3 months at room temperature.
2. Bhringraj for Baldness:
A simple hair pack made with bhringraj leaves will prevent baldness. To make the hair pack, take the fresh leaves, grind it to a paste along with little yogurt and apply it to the scalp. Wait for 15 minutes before washing it off. The fresh leaves can be substituted with dried powder too. Bhringraj extracts have been proven for it's effectiveness in promoting new hair growth. This hair pack is supposed to be used at least weekly once, for best results. For this hair pack, both varieties of bhringraj plant can be used.
2. Bhringraj for Baldness:
A simple hair pack made with bhringraj leaves will prevent baldness. To make the hair pack, take the fresh leaves, grind it to a paste along with little yogurt and apply it to the scalp. Wait for 15 minutes before washing it off. The fresh leaves can be substituted with dried powder too. Bhringraj extracts have been proven for it's effectiveness in promoting new hair growth. This hair pack is supposed to be used at least weekly once, for best results. For this hair pack, both varieties of bhringraj plant can be used.
3. Bhringraj for Liver:
Bhringraj is a liver tonic. Like Keelanelli, bhringraj is also used widely for treating liver disorders. We are increasingly eating out nowadays, when compared to our elders. Regularly eating junk food or food that has been mass produced that emphasis only on taste, plays havoc with our liver. Last week, I was talking to a person, who cooks regularly for marriages about adding colors to food. He said that not alone he, but almost all the cooks adds synthetic colors to almost all the chutneys, sweets, even certain gravies to get the appealing bright color. No wonder, each time we have food outside, the next day we feel so sluggish and tired. Adding bhringraj to our diet keeps our liver healthy. You can simply steam the finely cut and cleaned bhringraj leaves in a steamer and consume. If you don't like it bland, have it in the way mentioned above. It is best had along with dhal or as a stuffing for bread, roti, etc. It can also be used as a substitute in any recipe that calls for palak| spinach. Try to use bhringraj at least weekly once in the diet.
4. Bhringraj For Skin:
In my personal experience, home remedies work wonderfully for skin related diseases. Bhringraj leaves are amazing for treating skin related diseases. Bhringraj juice is very effective for treating cracked heels, minor skin allergies. Take leaves of yellow bhringraj plant, wash and pound it in a mortar and pestle to get the juice. Apply this juice directly on the affected area continuously for a few days to see results. This juice also helps in faster healing of wounds. This juice is best applied, when it's fresh.
5. Bhringraj for Cold & Cough:
Take the bhringraj leaves and extract the juice by pounding it in a mortar and pestle along with little boiled water and strain. Now add a few drops of honey to this strained mixture, this mixture is very effective for treating cold and cough. This remedy can be used for both children and adults. This mixture can be consumed once every day for best results.
6. Bhringraj for Anemia:
A simple homemade soup made with bhringraj leaves treats anemia very effectively, as bhringraj is very high in iron. To make the soup heat little bit of homemade ghee in a pan and season it with cumin seeds. Once the cumin seeds splutter, add 1 finely sliced large onion, 2 finely cut garlic clove and then 1 small tomato, saute well and add the bhringraj leaves. Once it is fried well, season with salt and pepper, add water till it is fully immersed in water and pressure cook for 2 whistles. Switch off, mash it with a hand blender and strain. This soup, if had daily will treat anemia very effectively.
7. Bhringraj for Sinus Infection:
Bhringraj is very effective for treating sinus infection. Take a handful of bhringraj leaves in a pan. Pound 1/4 tsp peppercorns coarsely in a mortar and pestle and add it to the bhringraj leaves along with 3 pinches of organic turmeric powder. Boil till it reduces in quantity and strain. This home remedy, works very well for treating any sinus related problems. Make sure that the pepper corns are coarse, else the mixture will be very spicy. This remedy can be used for young children too, but reduce the quantity of peppercorns.
4. Bhringraj For Skin:
In my personal experience, home remedies work wonderfully for skin related diseases. Bhringraj leaves are amazing for treating skin related diseases. Bhringraj juice is very effective for treating cracked heels, minor skin allergies. Take leaves of yellow bhringraj plant, wash and pound it in a mortar and pestle to get the juice. Apply this juice directly on the affected area continuously for a few days to see results. This juice also helps in faster healing of wounds. This juice is best applied, when it's fresh.
5. Bhringraj for Cold & Cough:
Take the bhringraj leaves and extract the juice by pounding it in a mortar and pestle along with little boiled water and strain. Now add a few drops of honey to this strained mixture, this mixture is very effective for treating cold and cough. This remedy can be used for both children and adults. This mixture can be consumed once every day for best results.
6. Bhringraj for Anemia:
A simple homemade soup made with bhringraj leaves treats anemia very effectively, as bhringraj is very high in iron. To make the soup heat little bit of homemade ghee in a pan and season it with cumin seeds. Once the cumin seeds splutter, add 1 finely sliced large onion, 2 finely cut garlic clove and then 1 small tomato, saute well and add the bhringraj leaves. Once it is fried well, season with salt and pepper, add water till it is fully immersed in water and pressure cook for 2 whistles. Switch off, mash it with a hand blender and strain. This soup, if had daily will treat anemia very effectively.
7. Bhringraj for Sinus Infection:
Bhringraj is very effective for treating sinus infection. Take a handful of bhringraj leaves in a pan. Pound 1/4 tsp peppercorns coarsely in a mortar and pestle and add it to the bhringraj leaves along with 3 pinches of organic turmeric powder. Boil till it reduces in quantity and strain. This home remedy, works very well for treating any sinus related problems. Make sure that the pepper corns are coarse, else the mixture will be very spicy. This remedy can be used for young children too, but reduce the quantity of peppercorns.
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