Punarnava (Boerhavia Diffusa) - Uses, Properties, Benefits & Dosage

Introduction

Punarnava is one of the amazing herb in Ayurveda. It is effective to treat large number of diseases. It is the best natural diuretic and beneficial in renal and urinary conditions. It is also used for the treatment of liver disorders such as hepatitis and jaundice.

Description of Punarnava Plant

Punarnava is a perennial diffuse herb that has a horizontal stem that is usually purple. Plant length about 0.75–1 m. But sometimes it rises to 4 meters in the rainy season and in summer it dries up. Punarnava leaves are usually 2.5–4cm long, white and smooth at the bottom with rough green and smooth hairs on the upper surface. The flowers are small in size and red in color. Fruits are round or circular, about 1 cm long. These fruits contain seeds like cow beans. Punnaava roots are yellowish-brown to brown, long, rounded and twisted when the surface is dry. Plantations and flowers are performed during the winter.

Habitat

Boerhavia diffusa occurs throughout India. It is also found in Australia, Sudan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Brazil and the southern United States. In India, it is an indigenous herb found in the Himalayan region up to an altitude of 2000 meters in the more temperate parts of the country.

Scientific Classification

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

Name of Punarnava in Different Languages

• English Name - Red Hogweed, Spreading Hogweed, Horse purslane, Red spiderling, Pigweed, Tarvine
• Hindi Name - Gadha-cand, Gadahpurna, Gadah bindo
• Tamil Name - Mukaratte- Kirai
• 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 Medicinally

• Punarnava Whole Plant
• Punarnava Root
• Punarnava Leaf

Chemical Constituents

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

Ancient Verse for Punarnava

Meaning: This shloka explains Punarnava is bitter in taste, light and becomes pungent in taste after digestion. It has cool potency and balances Kapha and Vata doshas. It helps to bind the stool and is used to manage cold cough, digestive fire and blood disorder.

Ayurvedic Properties of Punarnava

Hindi / Sanskrit		English
Rasa	Madhura, Tikta, Kashaya	Taste	Sweet, Bitter, Astringent
Guna	Laghu, Rooksha	Physical Property	Light, Dry
Virya	Sheeta	Potency	Cold
Vipaka	Katu	Metabolic Property (After Digestion)	Pungent

Medicinal Properties of Punarnava

• Diuretic (1) (2)
• Antistress (2) (3)
• Adaptogenic(2) (3)
• Immunomodulatory activity (2) (3)
• Antibacterial (4) and very high Antiviral activity
• Hypoglycemic activity (4)
• Anti Fibrinolytic activity (3) (4)
• Antiproliferative (4) and Anticarcinogenic activity (4)
• Antioxidant activity
• Hepatoprotective activity (5)
• Anti-inflammatory (6)

Benefits of Punarnava

In Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

Punarnava has diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and many properties which make it effective in the kidney disease. Punarnava rejuvenates the kidney cells and help to balance the body fluids by eliminating the waste from the body. Punarnava is best herb for the chronic kidney disease (10).

In Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)

Punarnava has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti-microbial, and anti-spasmodic, properties which this herb effective in urinary tract infection. UTI is very common in women, although it can also occur in men. Punarnava clears the infection, reduces inflammation and provides relief from pain (8) (7).

In Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

Due to antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of punarnava it helps to induce edema which decreases the risk of congestive heart failure. (8).

For Healthy Liver

Punarnava possesses hepatoprotective property (5). It stimulate the bile secretion which helps to keep the liver healthy and improves the function of liver. It is also effective in the jaundice, ascites and other liver diseases.

In Kidney Stones

The diuretic property of Punarnava helps to improve the regular urination and reduce the buildup of fluids in the tissues. Therefore it is beneficial in kidney stones (8).

Fights Obesity

Punarnava is also helps to fight obesity (8). It helps to excrete extra body fluids from the body which is good for reducing obesity.

Treats Arthritis

Punarnava is very effective in the medical condition which affect joints and connective tissues (6). It provide relief from the joint pain and inflammation of the muscles. Thus it helps to treat arthritis (8).

In Diabetes

Punarnava has hypoglycemic property (4) (8). It helps to control the glucose levels and also increase the plasma insulin levels.

Effects of Punarnava on Body System

• Renal system - It shows effective result on renal system of the body. Especially its diuretic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory make it useful in renal disorders.
• Hepatic system - Punarnava have hepatoprotective action.
• Cardiovascular system - It also shows good effects on cardiovascular system.
• Nervous system - Punarnava shows rejuvenating properties on nerve system (8). It is very good for sciatica or nervous weakness and many other nervous disorder.

How to Use?

• Punarnava should be consumed with water post meal only.
• It should not be taken on empty stomach because it can cause burning sensation.
• Do not take it with milk.

Dosage

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

Side Effects of Punarnava

• Punarnava can increase the blood pressure
• It may create burning sensation in the throat if taken on an empty stomach or without water.
• You must not use Punarnava if you have any ethanol related allergies.
• Pregnant women should be avoided to take Punarnava.
• The children below12 years of age should avoid the use of this herb.

Precautions to be Taken

• Do not take Punarnava with alcohol because it contains alcohol in it. It may cause drowsiness.
• It should not be taken before driving.
• Do not take overdose of punarnava, it can create medical problem on overdose.
• It is not addictive herb but always prefer to take after consulting physician.