How to Make Bhringraj Oil at Home from Bhringraj Powder

The short answer: put about 2 tablespoons of dry Bhringraj powder and 200 ml of coconut or sesame oil in a double boiler, warm it gently for 30–45 minutes, let it cool completely, then strain it through fine cloth into a clean, dry jar. You'll have a Bhringraj-infused oil to use on your scalp and lengths 30–60 minutes before you wash. Make small batches and use each one within 4 weeks.

What is Bhringraj oil?

Bhringraj oil isn't pressed from the plant. It's a carrier oil, such as coconut or sesame, with Bhringraj infused into it, sometimes along with other herbs; Mahabhringraj is the name usually given to multi-herb versions. The oil you make at home is the same idea with one herb: a Bhringraj-infused carrier oil, not an essential oil or an extract.

Can I make Bhringraj hair oil myself?

Yes, and it only takes a little care. You need:

• about 2 tablespoons of Bhringraj powder
• about 200 ml of carrier oil: coconut or sesame oil is simplest
• a heatproof bowl over a pan of water (a double boiler)
• fine mesh, muslin or cheesecloth for straining
• a clean, completely dry jar with a lid

How do I make Bhringraj oil at home?

1. Combine the dry powder and the oil in the bowl. Don't add water.
2. Warm it gently for 30–45 minutes over low heat, stirring now and then. The oil should get warm, never hot enough to smoke or fry the herb.
3. Let it cool completely.
4. Strain it through fine cloth into the dry jar. If sediment gets through, strain it again through a finer cloth.
5. Label it with the date, close it, and keep it somewhere cool and out of direct light.

Which carrier oil should I use?

• Coconut oil: the simplest carrier and easy to find. It turns solid in a cool room, which is normal: stand the closed jar in warm water to melt it rather than microwaving it.
• Sesame oil: a richer-feeling oil with a long place in Ayurvedic oiling. Skip it if you react to sesame.
• A lighter cosmetic oil: fine if texture matters most, and it may suit fine hair that's easily weighed down.
• Castor oil: very thick, so use a little in a blend with a lighter oil rather than on its own; it's easier to spread and wash out that way.
• Rosemary essential oil: optional, if you already use it. Add it to the finished, cooled oil only as directed on the rosemary oil's label, and never put it on your scalp undiluted. We make no claims for it.

How do I use Bhringraj oil on my hair?

Warm a small amount between your hands, massage it into your scalp, smooth it through your lengths, or both, and leave it 30–60 minutes before washing your hair as usual. Once or twice a week is plenty. Use less if your hair feels heavy or doesn't wash clean. Hair usually feels softer after washing, and dry lengths feel less rough.

Can I leave Bhringraj oil overnight?

You can, once you know your scalp is fine with the oil. Start with 30–60 minutes before washing; overnight is optional, and it doesn't give a stronger result. Shorten it or stop if your scalp starts to itch, feel heavy or uncomfortable, or gets build-up.

How long does homemade Bhringraj oil last?

Use it within 4 weeks. Homemade oil hasn't been tested for how long it keeps, so make small batches with clean, dry equipment and keep water out of it; once water gets in, it doesn't keep the same way. Throw it away sooner if it smells rancid or odd, or looks or feels different, and don't cover an off smell with essential oil.

Does Bhringraj hair oil really work?

As a pre-wash oil, yes: it spreads easily, gives your scalp and lengths an oiling session, and hair usually feels softer and less rough once it's washed. It doesn't make hair grow or stop hair fall; there's no good evidence that Bhringraj oil does either, and can Bhringraj regrow hair? explains why. You can usually tell after the first wash; there's no longer timetable to wait for.

What are the disadvantages of Bhringraj oil?

• It has to be washed out, and heavy oils or castor-rich blends can weigh fine hair down or leave build-up.
• Homemade oil doesn't keep long: 4 weeks at most, less if it smells off.
• The carrier oil counts as much as the herb: you can react to coconut, sesame or an added essential oil even if Bhringraj suits you.
• On very light, bleached or white hair, the oil can leave a residue that shows until it's washed out, so try it on one lock first.

Patch test the finished oil 24–48 hours before first use, on a small patch of clean, unbroken skin. Don't go ahead if the skin burns, swells, blisters or turns red, or if it itches and the itch doesn't settle. Always let warmed oil cool before it touches your scalp, and keep it out of your eyes.

Where can I find 100% pure Bhringraj oil?

"Pure Bhringraj oil" is a confusing label, because Bhringraj oil is almost always a carrier oil with the herb infused into it. Check which carrier oil is used and whether the botanical name, Eclipta prostrata, is listed. If you want to know exactly what's in it, make your own from the powder and a carrier oil you choose.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which brand of Bhringraj hair oil is best?

We don't rank brands. Check the label for the carrier oil, the botanical name Eclipta prostrata and any added herbs or fragrance, and judge it by how it suits your scalp and how easily it washes out. A hair-growth promise isn't a sign of a better oil.

Which Ayurvedic Bhringraj hair oil is the best?

There's no single best one for everyone. Traditional Ayurvedic oils are often multi-herb blends such as Mahabhringraj, while a homemade oil has just Bhringraj and the carrier you pick. Choose by ingredients, feel and how your scalp gets on with it.

Which is better, castor oil or Bhringraj oil?

They're different: castor oil is a thick carrier oil, while Bhringraj oil is a carrier oil with the herb infused in it, and a little castor oil can go into a Bhringraj blend. Bhringraj vs rosemary, castor and onion oil compares them.

Can I mix Bhringraj powder with coconut oil?

Yes: this page is how. To use the powder as a mask instead, mix it with warm water; see how to use Bhringraj powder for hair.