Punarnava (Boerhavia Diffusa)

One of the wonderful herbs in Ayurveda is punarnava. It works well for treating a wide range of illnesses.

It helps with kidney and urinary disorders and is the finest natural diuretic. Additionally, it is utilized to treat liver conditions like jaundice and hepatitis.

Description:

Punarnava is a perennial herb that grows diffusely and typically has a purple horizontal stem. Plant length is between 0.75 and 1 m.

However, it occasionally rises to four meters during the wet season and dries up in the summer. Punarnava leaves are typically 2-4 cm long, smooth and white on the underside, and hairy and rough green on top.

The blossoms are red and tiny. Fruits are circular or spherical and are approximately 1 centimeter in length. 

These fruits have cow bean-like seeds in them. When the surface is dry, punarnava roots are long, rounded, and twisted, ranging in color from yellow-brown to brown. Winter is the season for planting and flowering.

Habitat:

In India, boerhavia diffusa is found everywhere. Additionally, Australia, South Africa, Brazil, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, and the southern United States are home to it. This native herb of India can be found in the more temperate regions of the nation up to 2000 meters in the Himalayan region.

Scientific Classification:

• Kingdom: Plantae
• Clade: Tracheophytes
• Clade: Angiosperms
• Clade: Eudicots
• Order: Caryophyllales
• Family: Nyctaginaceae
• Genus: Boerhavia
• Species: B. diffusa
• Binomial name: Boerhavia diffusa

Other Names:

• English Name:
  Horse purslane, Red spiderling, Pigweed, Tarvine, Red Hogweed, Spreading Hogweed
• Hindi Name:
  Gadahpurna, Gadah bindo, Gadha-cand
• Marathi Name:
  Ghetuli
• Tamil Name:
  Mukkurttaikkoti, Mukaratee-Kirei
• Telugu Name:
  Atakamamidi
• Urdu Name:
  Tukhm-i-ispas
• Malayalam Name:
  Tavilama
• Bengali Name:
  Punarnova
• Marathi Name:
  Punarnava, Vasu
• Kannada Name:
  Komme
• Nepalese name:
  Punarnava
• French Name:
  (Fr. Guiana) ipecacuanha de Cayenne

Parts Used:

• Whole Plant, Root, Leaf

Chemical Constituents:

The chemical constituents of Punarnava are:
b-Sitosterol, a-2-sitosterol, palmitic acid, boerhaavia acid ester of b-sitosterol, stearic acid, arachidic acid, urosilic acid, boeravinon, tetracosanoic acid, hexacosonoic acid, hentriacontane,  triacontanol, b-Ecdysone, punarnavine, etc.

Ayurvedic Properties:

Benefits of Punarnava:

I. For Chronic Kidney Disease:
Punarnava treats renal illness well because of its diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and other qualities.
By removing waste from the body, punarnava revitalizes kidney cells and aids in maintaining a balance of bodily fluids.
The greatest herb for chronic renal illness is punarnava.

II. For Urinary Tract Infections:
Punarnava is a beneficial herb for urinary tract infections because of its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-microbial, and anti-spasmodic qualities.

Though it can happen to men as well, UTIs are more common in women. Punarnava relieves pain, lessens inflammation, and eradicates the infection.

III. For Congestive Heart Failure:
Punarnava's anti-inflammatory and antioxidant qualities aid in reducing edema, which lowers the risk of congestive heart failure.

IV. For Healthy Liver:
Punarnava has hepatoprotective qualities. It increases bile output, which keeps the liver healthy and enhances liver function.
Additionally, it works well for ascites, jaundice, and other liver conditions.

V. For Kidney Stones:
Punarnava's diuretic qualities aid in promoting more frequent urination and lowering the accumulation of fluid in the tissues.
Hence, it is beneficial for kidney stones.

VI. For fights against Obesity:
Additionally, punarnava combats obesity. It aids in the body's removal of surplus bodily fluids, which helps to lower obesity.

VII. Treats Arthritis:
Punarnava works wonders for ailments affecting the connective tissues and joints. 
It offers alleviation from joint discomfort and muscular irritation. It aids in the treatment of arthritis.

VIII. For Diabetes:
Punarnava possesses hypoglycemic qualities. It also raises plasma insulin levels, helping in glucose regulation.

Effects on the Body System:

• Renal system:
  It has a noticeable impact on the body's renal system. It is beneficial in renal problems because of its diuretic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.
• Hepatic system:
  Punarnava has hepatoprotective properties.
• Cardiovascular system:
  Positive benefits are also seen in the cardiovascular system.
• Nervous system:
  Punarnava has regenerating effects on the nervous system. For many other neural disorders, including sciatica and nervous weakness, it is particularly beneficial.

How to Utilize?

• Punarnava should only be taken with water after a meal.
• Because it can induce a burning sensation in the stomach, it should not be taken empty-handed.
• Take it without milk.

Dosage:

• Root powder: 1-3 g
• Whole plant decoction: 20-30g
• Fresh juice: 10-20 ml

Side Effects:

• Punarnava may cause hypertension.
• If taken without water or on an empty stomach, it may cause a burning sensation in the throat.
• If you suffer from any allergies related to ethanol, you should avoid using Punarnava.
• Punarnava should not be taken by pregnant women.
• This herb should not be used by children under the age of twelve.

Precautions to Be Taken:

• Punarnava includes alcohol; therefore, do not take it with alcohol. It might make you sleepy.
• You shouldn't take it right before you drive.
• Punarnava overdose can result in medical issues; therefore, avoid doing so.
• Although this herb is not addictive, it is best taken after speaking with a doctor.

Effect on Dosha:

Tridosha is affected by punarnava. It brings the body's Vata and Kapha doshas into balance. It balances the Kapha and Pitta doshas and increases the vata dosha.

Herbal items are prepared with this herb. The greatest items with standardized Punarnava plant extract were available from Planet Ayurveda.

Ayurmantra Ayurveda's Products: 

• Punarnava Powder
• Punarnava Tablets