kanjunni / Bhringraj/Kayyoonni Medicinal plant

Eclipta prostrata Plant Details

Scientific Info

• Scientific Name: Eclipta prostrata (syn. Eclipta alba)

• Family: Asteraceae (Sunflower family)

• Common Names:

  • English – False Daisy, Trailing Eclipta

  • Sanskrit – Bhringraj

  • Malayalam – Kayyunni ,kanjunni(കയ്യുന്നി)

  • Tamil – Karisalankanni

  • Hindi – Bhringraj / Bhangra
    

 Plant Description

• Type: Annual/perennial creeping herb

• Height: 30–40 cm (spreads low along ground)

• Leaves: Opposite, lance-shaped, green, slightly hairy

• Stems: Creeping, rooting at nodes

• Flowers: Small, white, daisy-like heads (0.5–1 cm across)

• Habitat: Grows abundantly in moist areas, along paddy fields, wetlands, and roadside soils

 Care & Cultivation

• Sun Light: Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade

• Soil: Moist, fertile, loamy soil is best

• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist; tolerates waterlogging (often grows near wetlands)

• Propagation: By seeds or stem cuttings

• Maintenance: Low-maintenance herb; grows like a weed in many places

•  Fertilizer

  1. Vermicompost / Cow dung manure(Best for Medicinal Quality)

  2. apply NPK

 Uses of Eclipta prostrata

Medicinal (Ayurveda & Folk Medicine)

• Famous as Bhringraj – highly valued in Ayurveda.

• Liver tonic: Protects against liver disorders (used in Ayurvedic formulations).

• Skin: Used for wounds, eczema, and skin infections.

• Other benefits: Used as a remedy for cough, cold, asthma, and anemia.

Culinary (Traditional)

• Young leaves sometimes cooked as a leafy vegetable in folk diets.

• Bitter in taste, usually mixed with other greens.

Environmental

• Acts as ground cover in wet areas.

• Important bee and pollinator plant due to small flowers.

 Hair Uses of Kayyunni (Bhringraj)

• Bhringraj oil is made by infusing leaves in coconut/sesame oil.

• Regular massage:

  • Stimulates hair growth

  • Prevents greying

  • Improves scalp health

  • Gives cooling effect