We had interesting discussion on the topic of premature baldness.
Some remedies were suggested by Dr Venu Gopal (Msg# 3748,3753,3766).
Several earlier posts on the subject of male/female pattern hair
loss, their connection to hormonal changes, mineral content in food,
etc are discussed in earlier messages (3199, 2961, 2516, 2263, 2206,
2196, 1873, 1210, 920, 531).
Despite good suggestion, alstrup expects further stronger more
effective therapy in one of his recent posts. Hair grow above the
brain, and any problem related to brain requires long term treatment
with patience.
The objective of this post is not to give any further miracle
treatment, but to put forward a point that hair loss in most cases is
only a symptom of some other diseases, based on Vata and Pitta
prakopa, as suggested by Dr Venu Gopal. In fact an experienced Vaidya
will judge the pulse by looking at hair only! One can look up so many
ayurveda sites on the net and check the hair column when doing 'self
dosha test'!

Another objective is to bring out all the uses where Bhringaraj can
be put to. It is very useful herb.

"What should I do to remain energetic and look beautiful?" is an
important question which many patients pose to a Vaidya. Everyone
likes to remain youthful. Many use cosmetics these days; however, to
look good, it is necessary to apply your mind to diet and lifestyle,
in addition to cosmetics. To keep the body fit and looks good, super
power has given us many herbs. Though human body is the most
beautiful and complex creation of the super power, harmony with
natutre, ayurvedic lifestyle is a must to keep it so.

Amongst various herbs entering the cosmetics department, Bhringaraj
comes readily to the mind. It is an excellent hepato tonic. These
days the liver diseases have increased in number. Liver is the mother
who guards our health to maximum, while kidney is father who protects
from evil influence of toxins. Underfunctioning liver causes slowing
down of agni, the digestive power. The reduced digestion causes
fatigue, exhaustion and weakness, which spoils beauty. Increase of
acidity of digestive track, mucous and stickiness in stools, jaundice
etc are consequences. Use of bhringraj reduces the swelling of liver
and kindles true hunger, the digestive agni. Smoking, alcohol, bettle
leaves chewing, excess of tea-coffee increase liver burden, but
Bhringraj causes adequate bile secretion. In most of the stomach
diseases, Aamdosha is the dominating dosha. Worms and undesirable
microbes grow in such ama and cause low stomach pain, piles, sounds
in the intestines after food, bloating, flatulation, foul smell in
flatulation. Under these circumstances, fresh juice of Bhringraj
leaves can be taken every morning empty stomach, 2-3 ml, for three to
six weeks. This improves tone of liver, spleen and digestion. If the
dose is exceeded, vomiting or vomiting sensation can occur. The
swelling on oesophagous occurs when one takes hot, spicy, fried or
foods containing chillies for long time. This swelling progresses
into peptic ulcer into stomach or duodenum. This can result into
ulceration as well as hiatus hernia. In all these cases fresh
bhringaraja juice (swaras in traditional texts) gives very beneficial
results. Those who can not obtain or make fresh juice, can bring
leaves, let them dry in shade and make powder. This powder must be
mixed in fresh leaves juice to make small tablets. The tablets can be
taken about 250 mg empty stomach and at bed time as a liver tonic.

The Bhringraj is a well known hair tonic, helping to stop hair loss.
If hair are turning gray prematurely, the color will return to
natural. Increases R.B.C. in blood. Due to reduced exhaustion one can
easily go on staircases without panting. Bhringraj also helps in
elimination of worms. The anxiety reduces for those doing intelligent
work. Due to improvement in the liver tone, the blemishes on face
also ligten and bringing natural color to the face. The raw
undigested ama reduces, helping dissolving the extra `Meda'. What is
not well known about Bhringaraj is that it helps in dissolving
this `Meda' albeit very slowly. Urine, sweat and motions eliminate
the extra `Meda'. In all ayurvedic texts, Bhringaraj is praised as a
Rasayana and causing Vajikarana. Bhringaraj, if used properly, can
reduce sexual weakness, by improving liver. Liver has an important
role in sexual life. Bhringaraj is almost an elixir in several other
respects. Thus migraine headache, vertigo, the heat getting rejected
(burning sensation) through feet soles and palms, feverish feeling
but thermometer shows normal temperature, whole body is felt as hot
only by patients, etc are some of ailments, where Bhringaraj is the
herb of first choice.

Bhringraj is useful not only as hair grower, but also in night-
blindness. One shloka in ancient texts translates thus:
A person who takes bhringaraj swarasa early morning empty stomach,
and keeps certain food restrictions (Pathya), he becomes strong and
with rich semen (Bal and Veerya yukta) and lives hundred years. This
experiment can be carried out for about two months every year, when
fresh bhringraj leaves are available plenty. Few other receipe using
Bhringaraj are as follows:

1. If one takes Amalki, sesame seeds and bhringaraj juice in the
same order, he will not have any ailments of five senses.

2. The well known medicine Sutshekhar Ras used for hyper
acidity, GERD, (amlapitta, vidagdha ajirna) is also made by using
fresh juice of bhringaraja as binder. Aarogyavardhini Ras is another
medicine for liver, prepared by using Bhringaraj swaras as binder,
though many pharmacies use neem juice also as binder, reducing cost.
This tablet differs in cost according to bhasmas used in preparation,
and almost 200% variation can be seen in Indian pharmacies.

3. Well known medicine for worms of all types, i.e. Krumi Kuthar
is also made by using Bhringaraj fresh juice as binder.

Thus Bhringaraj reduces Kapha, increases Haemoglobin, strengthens
bones, and acts as tonic for eyes, brain, intestines, liver, spleen.
The Bhringaraj oil is best hair tonic. While Brahmi oil makes brain
cool, Amalki oil makes hair very smooth, Bhringaraj oil reduces
dandruff, removes old hair and grows fresh hair. The pores in the
scalp open due to this oil. Hence the name `Keshranjan'.

Few more uses of this king herb are also in order. Useful in skin
diseases too. Gives Relief in Leucoderma. Along with other medicines,
acts as supportive in epilepsy, (Apasmara, achaki, khech etc), excess
urination (Mutratisar). With ajwain powder, it is powerful pitta
pacifier.

Gargling with Bhringaraj decoction helps in tooth pain, gum bleeds,
pain, swelling.

In response to the querry by Alstrup, author would say that
Bhringaraj and Jatamasi will make an excellent combination, and what
is offered is best remedy that can be communicated over the net,
where real problems of patient, the root cause of hair loss can not
be ascertained. However, the combination is not harmful in any manner.

Dr Bhate