Review on Nilibhringadi Taila: An Effective Keshya Medication
Journal name: Ayushdhara
Original article title: Review on Nilibhringadi Taila: An Effective Keshya Medication
AYUSHDHARA is an international peer-reviewed journal. It focuses on research in Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy, Allopathy, and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
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Vashishtha
PG Scholar, Dept. of RSBK, National Institute of Ayurveda, Deemed to be University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
Neha Meena
PG Scholar, Dept. of RSBK, National Institute of Ayurveda Deemed to be University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
Mohar Pal Meena
Associate Professor, Dept. of RSBK, National Institute of Ayurveda Deemed to be University, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.
Ayushdhara:
(A peer-reviewed, bi-monthly open-access journal)
Full text available for: Review on Nilibhringadi Taila: An Effective Keshya Medication
Year: 2022 | Doi: 10.47070/ayushdhara.v9i6.1103
Copyright (license): CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
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Summary of article contents:
Introduction
Hair problems are a common concern affecting approximately one-third of the global population, leading to issues such as hair loss, premature greying, and dull hair. Various factors contribute to these disorders, including hormonal imbalances, stress, poor dietary practices, and excessive use of chemical cosmetics. In India, hair health is particularly significant for both men and women, impacting their self-esteem and confidence. Ayurveda offers effective external treatments for hair management, with one notable formulation being Nilibhringadi Taila, an Ayurvedic and herbal oil designed to enhance hair quality.
Keshya Medications and Their Importance
In Ayurvedic terminology, hair is referred to as "Kesha," and medicines beneficial for hair are classified as "Keshya." The formulation Nilibhringadi Taila, rooted in ancient texts like Sahasrayogam and Chikitsa Manjari, is recognized for promoting hair growth and preventing issues like split ends and baldness. This medicinal oil is composed of twelve active ingredients, including Bhringraja, Yashtimadhu, and various types of milk, which work synergistically to nourish and strengthen hair. The unique properties of the individual components contribute to the overall efficacy of the formulation, making it a widely endorsed remedy in Ayurvedic practice.
Sneha Kalpana in Ayurveda
The Ayurvedic preparation known as Sneha Kalpana encompasses medicated oils and ghee, used for both therapeutic and cosmetic purposes. Nilibhringadi Taila represents a classic example of this category, emphasizing the importance of high-quality raw materials and traditional preparation methods in ensuring the effectiveness of these medications. The use of diverse ingredients, including herbal extracts and various milks, enhances the oil's penetration and action on the scalp and hair follicles, thereby addressing underlying issues that often lead to hair disorders.
Conclusion
Nilibhringadi Taila stands out as an effective treatment option for various scalp-related issues, including hair fall, premature greying, and other conditions that affect hair health. Its composition, which includes natural ingredients with confirmed healing properties, aligns with Ayurvedic principles of balancing bodily doshas and promoting overall wellness. As such, its application not only helps in addressing the symptoms but also contributes to the holistic health of hair. The formulation serves as a testament to the efficacy of traditional Ayurvedic treatments in modern hair care practices.
FAQ section (important questions/answers):
What is Nilibhringadi Taila and its benefits for hair?
Nilibhringadi Taila is an Ayurvedic herbal oil known for promoting hair health. It helps improve hair quality, treats split ends, premature greying, and baldness. Its natural ingredients are effective hair growth promoters and widely used in India.
What are the main ingredients in Nilibhringadi Taila?
The formulation contains ingredients like Nili, Bhringraja, Dhatri Phala, and Yashtimadhu. These ingredients are known for their properties that promote hair health, nourish the scalp, and stimulate hair growth.
How does Nilibhringadi Taila work on hair-related issues?
Nilibhringadi Taila acts on vitiated doshas responsible for hair disorders. It pacifies Vata and Pitta doshas, helping reduce hair fall and discoloration by utilizing the properties of its herbal ingredients.
Glossary definitions and references:
Scientific and Ayurvedic Glossary list for “Review on Nilibhringadi Taila: An Effective Keshya Medication”. This list explains important keywords that occur in this article and links it to the glossary for a better understanding of that concept in the context of Ayurveda and other topics.
1) Hair:
Hair is a complex structure made up of many components that work together to protect the scalp and provide physical attractiveness to the self-perception of beauty.
2) Taila (Thaila):
Taila is an oil preparation used in various Ayurvedic treatments, often as a part of Sneha Kalpana, which encompasses medicated oils and ghee used for both therapeutic and cosmetic purposes.
3) Nilibhringadi (Nilibhrngadi):
Nilibhringadi is an Ayurvedic formulation mentioned in Sahasrayogam and Chikitsa Manjari and known for promoting abundant growth of long, dark, and dense hair.
4) Drug:
The efficacy and therapeutic activities of Nilibhringadi Taila depend on the quality and properties of the medicinal drugs or herbs used in its preparation.
5) Milk:
Milk, or Kshira, is an integral part of the preparation of Nilibhringadi Taila and various types of milk are used for their specific properties like cow milk, goat milk, buffalo milk, and coconut milk.
6) Pitta:
Vitiated Pitta doshas are responsible for conditions such as hair discoloration and using Pitta Shamaka (Pitta pacifying) properties of certain drugs can help in treating these conditions.
7) Samaka (Shamaka):
Shamaka refers to the pacifying or balancing property that certain Ayurvedic medications possess, making them effective against specific doshas such as Pitta, Vata, or Kapha.
8) Vata:
In Ayurveda, Vitiated Vata doshas are believed to contribute to hair fall, and treatments often involve medications that have Vata Shamaka properties to counteract this imbalance.
9) Keshya (Kesya):
Keshya refers to medications that are beneficial for hair health, helping promote hair growth, improve quality, treat issues like split hairs, premature greying, and prevent baldness.
10) Kesa (Kesha):
Kesha is the Sanskrit term for hair, and it is governed by multiple factors including Kesha Sanjanana (origin), Kesha Vardhan (growth), and Kesha Ranjana (natural color maintenance).
11) Madhura:
Madhura means 'sweet' and is one of the tastes (Rasa) in Ayurveda that has beneficial properties like pacifying Vata and Pitta doshas when used in medicinal formulations.
12) Kshira (Ksira):
Kshira translates to milk in Ayurveda and serves as an essential ingredient in various medicinal preparations, including Nilibhringadi Taila, where it contributes to the therapeutic properties.
13) Dugdha:
Dugdha is another term for milk, used extensively in Ayurvedic medicine. Various types of milk, like cow, goat, and buffalo milk, offer distinct therapeutic effects in formulations like Nilibhringadi Taila.
14) Dosha (Dosa):
Doshas are the three fundamental bodily bio-elements in Ayurveda: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. The balance or imbalance of these doshas determines an individual's health.
15) Sneha:
Sneha refers to oil or ghee used in Ayurveda for external and internal applications. It possesses properties that enhance the drug's potency and provide therapeutic benefits.
16) Virya:
Virya represents the potency (hot or cold) of a substance in Ayurveda, indicating its ability to influence the doshas, bodily tissues, and overall health.
17) Katu:
Katu is a pungent taste (Rasa) in Ayurveda. It has specific properties and effects useful for treating various conditions by pacifying certain doshas, especially Kapha.
18) Cow milk (Cow's milk):
Cow milk, or Godugdha, is used in Ayurvedic preparations for its nutritional and therapeutic qualities. Different types of cow milk have unique properties that make them suitable for balancing specific doshas.
19) Prastha (Prashtha):
Prastha is a traditional measure used in Ayurvedic formulations to specify the quantity of ingredients. It is a standard unit for measuring substances like milk or oil.
20) Tikta:
Tikta denotes the bitter taste in Ayurveda, which has properties beneficial for balancing certain doshas like Pitta and Kapha and is often found in plants like Nili and Satakratulata.
21) Narikela:
Narikela refers to coconut, and in the context of Nilibhringadi Taila, Narikela Kshira (coconut milk) is an integral ingredient known for its nourishing properties.
22) Khalitya:
Khalitya is an Ayurvedic term for gradual hair loss. It involves the vitiation of Vata and Pitta doshas that causes permanent hair fall when obstructing the Romakupa.
23) Ruksha (Ruksa):
Ruksha describes a property that is dry or rough in nature. Ingredients with Ruksha guna are often used to pacify excess Kapha dosha.
24) Vipaka:
Vipaka refers to the post-digestive effect of a substance, which influences the long-term outcome on doshas and bodily tissues.
25) Kapha:
Kapha is one of the three doshas in Ayurveda, associated with qualities like steadiness and lubrication. An imbalance in Kapha can lead to issues like hair loss.
26) Rakta:
Rakta translates to 'blood' in Ayurveda and is closely related to the health and growth of tissues, including hair. Disorders related to Rakta can impact hair color and vitality.
27) Gunja (Gumja):
Gunja, sourced from Abrus precatorius, is an Ayurvedic herb with properties effective against hair loss and conditions like Indralupta.
28) Dhatu:
Dhatu refers to the bodily tissues in Ayurveda, essential for maintaining overall health. Hair is considered a byproduct of Asthi (bone) Dhatu.
29) Guru:
Guru refers to the heavy quality (Guna) in Ayurvedic medicine, affecting digestion and bodily functions, often balancing Vata and Pitta doshas.
30) Guna:
Guna means 'quality' in Ayurveda, describing characteristics like heavy, light, dry, or oily. These qualities influence the therapeutic effects of substances.
31) Vatadosha (Vatadosa, Vata-dosha):
Vata-dosha, one of the three doshas in Ayurveda, governs movement and communication within the body. Its imbalance can lead to conditions like hair loss.
32) Mahisha (Mahisa):
Mahisha refers to buffalo, and Mahisha Kshira or buffalo milk is used in Ayurvedic formulations for its nourishing and heavy qualities.
33) Kalpana:
Kalpana is a term used in Ayurveda to describe formulations or preparations, such as Sneha Kalpana, which includes medicated oils and ghee.
34) Disease:
Disease in Ayurveda is often caused by an imbalance of the doshas, leading to conditions such as hair fall or discoloration when related to hair health.
35) Dravya:
Dravya refers to the substances or ingredients used in Ayurvedic medicine, each with specific properties and therapeutic actions.
36) India:
India is a country where Ayurveda has been practiced for millennia, and formulations like Nilibhringadi Taila are widely used and prescribed.
37) Tila:
Tila, or sesame seed, is often used for its oil in Ayurvedic preparations like Tila Taila (sesame oil), known for its nourishing and therapeutic properties.
38) Rasa (Rasha):
Rasa means 'taste' in Ayurveda and is crucial in determining the therapeutic effects of a substance, with six primary Rasas: sweet, sour, salty, bitter, pungent, and astringent.
39) Nili:
Nili, or Indigofera tinctoria, is a key herb in Nilibhringadi Taila known for its beneficial effects on hair health and color.
40) Yashtimadhu (Yastimadhu, Yashti-madhu):
Yashtimadhu, known scientifically as Glycyrrhiza glabra, is an important ingredient in Nilibhringadi Taila, celebrated for its Keshya (hair beneficial) properties.
41) Tilataila (Tila-taila):
Tila Taila, or sesame oil, is used as the base oil in many Ayurvedic formulations, including Nilibhringadi Taila, and offers numerous therapeutic benefits.
42) Rasanjana (Rasa-anjana, Rasamjana):
Rasanjana is an ingredient in Nilibhringadi Taila, often substituted with Daruharidra in modern formulations as per Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India for its therapeutic properties.
43) Ayurveda (Ayus-veda):
Ayurveda is an ancient system of medicine that focuses on balancing the doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) to maintain health and treat various diseases.
44) Romakupa (Roman-kupa):
Romakupa refers to hair follicles, where imbalances in doshas like Vata, Pitta, and Kapha can lead to hair-related issues such as Khalitya or Palitya.
45) Snigdha:
Snigdha is a quality (Guna) in Ayurveda meaning 'oily' or 'moist,' often required for treating dry conditions and pacifying Vata dosha.
46) Palitya:
Palitya refers to hair whitening or greying in Ayurveda, often resulting from Pitta dosha imbalance. Certain Shamaka (pacifying) treatments can help manage it.
47) Kashaya (Kasaya):
Kashaya means 'astringent,' one of the six primary tastes in Ayurveda, used to pacify Pitta and Kapha doshas.
48) Anjana (Amjana):
Anjana in its classical form refers to galena (lead sulphide), but is substituted with Daruharidra in modern Ayurvedic formulations for safety and efficacy.
49) Laghu:
Laghu describes a light quality (Guna) in Ayurveda, often used to balance Kapha and aid in conditions like hair loss by optimizing the drug's absorption and action.
50) Pala:
Pala is a traditional metric unit in Ayurveda used to measure the quantity of ingredients in formulations like Nilibhringadi Taila.
51) Glycyrrhiza glabra:
Glycyrrhiza glabra, commonly known as Yashtimadhu or licorice, is used in Nilibhringadi Taila for its beneficial effects on hair.
52) Goat milk:
Goat milk, or Aja Dugdha, is included in Nilibhringadi Taila for its light, cooling properties and its benefits in various conditions.
53) Indigofera tinctoria:
Indigofera tinctoria, known as Nili, is an important herb in Nilibhringadi Taila for enhancing hair quality and promoting growth.
54) Kesharanjana (Kesaranjana):
Kesha-ranjana pertains to maintaining the natural black color of hair, achieved through specific Ayurvedic treatments and formulations.
55) Dravadravya (Drava-dravya):
Drava-dravya are liquid ingredients used in Ayurvedic formulations that contribute to the overall therapeutic properties, as seen in Nilibhringadi Taila.
56) Asthidhatu (Asthi-dhatu):
Asthi-dhatu refers to bone tissue in Ayurveda. Hair is considered a byproduct of Asthi-dhatu, and maintaining its health is crucial for good hair.
57) Pittadosha (Pittadosa, Pitta-dosha):
Pitta-dosha governs metabolism and heat within the body. Imbalances can lead to hair discoloration and other issues, managed through Pitta Shamaka treatments.
58) Vasishtha (Vasistha, Vashishtha):
One of the authors of the document is Vashishtha, who has contributed to this review on Nilibhringadi Taila, providing insights on its formulation and benefits.
59) Vatapitta (Vata-pitta):
Vata-pitta describes the combined aspects of these two doshas in Ayurveda. Imbalances between them can lead to hair loss and other hair-related issues.
60) Ajakshira (Ajaksira):
Aja-kshira is goat milk, known for its therapeutic properties and included in formulations like Nilibhringadi Taila for its specific benefits.
61) Ajadugdha (Aja-dugdha):
Aja-dugdha is another term for goat milk, used in Nilibhringadi Taila for its beneficial properties in treating various conditions like Atisara and Shosha.
62) Knowledge:
In Ayurveda, knowledge encompasses the understanding of doshas, herbs, and formulations to manage health and treat diseases effectively.
63) Medicine:
Medicine, in the context of Ayurveda, involves using plants, minerals, and animal products in various formulations to treat imbalances in the body's doshas.
64) Shitala (Sitala):
Sheetala means 'cooling' and describes the effect certain substances have, useful for treating conditions aggravated by excess heat or Pitta dosha.
65) Manjari (Mamjari):
Chikitsa Manjari is one of the texts where Nilibhringadi Taila is mentioned, contributing to Ayurvedic knowledge on the treatment of hair-related issues.
66) Ranjana (Ramjana):
Ranjana refers to blackening, usually of hair in Ayurvedic treatments, like the effects seen from certain ingredients in Nilibhringadi Taila for maintaining natural hair color.
67) Buffalo (Buffaloes):
Mahisha refers to buffalo, and its milk, Mahisha Kshira, is used in Ayurvedic formulations for its thick, nourishing properties.
68) Mineral:
In Ayurveda, minerals such as lead sulphide (Anjana) are used in treatments, though modern practice often substitutes these with safer herbal alternatives.
69) Ghrita (Ghrta):
Ghrita is ghee used in Ayurveda for its therapeutic properties, often in Sneha Kalpana for treating a variety of conditions through external and internal applications.
70) Dhatri (Dhatr):
Dhatriphala, also known as Amla or Indian Gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica), is a vital ingredient in Nilibhringadi Taila, known for its antioxidant properties and beneficial effects on hair.
71) Kerala:
Kerala is a region in India known for its rich tradition of Ayurveda, where formulations like Nilibhringadi Taila are produced and used.
72) Family:
Family, in a botanical sense, refers to the classification of plants. For example, Nili belongs to the Fabaceae family, each family denoting specific characteristics.
73) Phala:
Phala means fruit in Ayurveda, like Dhatri Phala used in formulations for its specific therapeutic actions.
74) Asthi (Ashthi):
Asthi is the term for bone tissue in Ayurveda, and it is believed that hair is a byproduct of Asthi Dhatu.
75) Drava:
Drava means liquid in Ayurveda and includes substances like milk or oils used in medicinal preparations.
[Note: The above list is limited to 75. Total glossary definitions available: 133]