Jul 23, 2017

Punarnava - Mukurattai








Botanical Name: Boerhavia Diffusa
Common Name: Hog weed, Pig weed, Spreading Hog weed
Sanskrit: Punarnava, Shothagni, Rakta punarnava, Lal Punarnava, Santh
Hindi: Punarnava , Gadhacand, Lalpunarnava, Gadhapurana, Shothagni
Tamil: Mukurattai, Karichcharanai
Malayalam: Thazhuthama, Chuvanna Tazhutama
Assamese: Ranga Punarnabha
Bengali: Rakta punarnava
Gujarati: Dholisaturdi, Motosatodo
Kannada: Komme gida, Sanadika, Kommeberu, Komma, Teglame, Ganajali
Marathi: Ghetuli, Vasuchimuli, Satodimula, Punarnava, Khaparkhuti
Oriya: Lalapuruni, Nalipuruni
Punjabi: ltcit (Ial), Khattan
Telugu: Atika mamidi, Erra galijeru

Description
Boerhaavia Diffusa is a flowering plant that is commonly known as punarnava which means rejuvenating or renewing the body. The other common names of the plant are tarvine, spreading hogweed and red spiderling. This herbal medicine is used to relieve pain and the leaves are used as a green vegetable in numerous parts of India.

Punarnava is a very important medicinal herb of Ayurveda. Its name is derived from two words, Punar (= once again /regaining/restoring) and Nava (=new, renew or young), so the literal meaning of the name is, one which becomes new or young again. This name signifies the rejuvenating property of Punarnava. It is a Rasayan herb of Ayurveda which renews the body or restores youth.

This widely dispersed plant is found all throughout India, southern parts of United States and the Pacific. The plant has small fruits which are sticky and grow only a few inches above the ground.  This herb is a weed that grows widely in across India. It is a creeper that usually grows up to the height of 2 to 3 meters. It has pink colored flowers and green colored oval shaped fruits. The herb had been noticed by villagers for bringing back to life a dead plant thus giving it the name of ‘The Renewer’. It is known to rejuvenate the cells of the body and eliminate excessive water from it. These benefits of the Boerhaavia Diffusa make it highly advantageous for the kidney and liver

Punarnava is diuretic used to treat urinary problems, very good for liver and very effective in jaundice and urolithiasis. This is tonic for heart, liver and kidney.

Whole plant or the roots of Punarnava are used along with other ingredients for the preparation of medicines for anemia, jaundice, asthma, cough, colic, enlargement of liver, piles, abdominal worms, acute leprosy, heart disease, fistula, blood and skin diseases, anasarca, liver and spleen diseases, strangury, retention of urine, etc. It is taken along with Gokhru for kidney disorders. It enhances antibody response and reduces Pitta and Kapha.

The leaves and roots of plant are eaten as vegetable for better health. The plant is cooling and helps to reduce excessive heat in body.

For medicinal purpose the juice, decoction, infusion, powder or paste of plant is used. During rainy season the plant is abundantly available and can be used fresh.


Ayurvedic Properties and Medicinal uses
In Ayurveda, Punarnava refers to the dried, matured whole plant of Boerhaavia diffusa. This medicinal herb is used since ancient times to treat various ailments. The mention of plant is found in Charaka Samhita, and Sushruta Samhita.

Asthma, bronchitis, menstrual problems
Root decoction is given twice a day for one month. Or Powder of the root is given in doses of 5 grams thrice a day. Or Dried plant powder is smoked as a cigarette once day for one month. Or Root powder 3 grams + Turmeric half gram, consumed twice a day.

Blisters, ulcers
Paste of roots + milk, is applied topically.

Body heat, scanty urination, swelling of legs
The plant / root powder is taken for one week.

Burning urination
Whole plant of Punarnava + seeds of Gokhru / Tribulus terrestris + Puttura / Aerva lanata are made into a decoction and given internally.

Dengue fever, malaria
Punarnava + Giloy decoction is given. 

Dropsy (Edema), ascites, Oedema during pregnancy, Anasarca (generalized body swelling)
Punarnava produces diuresis in cases of oedema and ascites, especially due to liver, peritoneal and kidney ailments. The fresh boiled herb should be given or liquid extract of the fresh or dry plant can be given in doses of 4 to 6 grams. Or
Punarnava leaves vegetable is consumed to reduce edema.

Decreased urine production
Root decoction is given with sugar and milk at night after food.

Diarrhea
Root powder is given to stop diarrhea.

Energy tonic
Root powder 3 grams + milk is taken.

Eye diseases
Root paste with fresh milk is applied. Or Root paste + Ghee, is applied in eyes to reduce swelling.

Heart Diseases
The leaves are eaten as vegetable.

Hydrocele
Root paste is applied topically to treat Hydrocele.

Induce vomiting
The roots are consumed in large dose (above 5 grams).

Insomnia / Sleeplessness, jaundice, kidney diseases
The decoction of whole plant is taken in dose of 50-100ml.

Inflammatory conditions, rashes, urticaria
Root powder 1 teaspoon + Sonth dry ginger 1 gram, is given.

Improving appetite
Root powder is taken in dose of 3 grams.

Laxative, Diuretic
Punarnava root powder/ decoction is given.

Leucorrhoea, spermatorrhoea
The root powder in a dose of 500 mg, twice daily for 15 days is given.

Prostrate problems
Take root powder 4 grams with hot water.

Rejuvenation
The paste or decoction of the leaves and roots is given. According to Ashtaanga Hridaya, the paste of Punarnavaa (20 g) is taken with milk daily.

Rheumatism
Whole plant decoction is given.

Sore throat
Leaves juice is given.

Skin diseases
A paste of the root can be applied on oedematous swellings.

Stomach ache, colitis
Two tea spoonful extract of Whole plant of Punarnava + one tea spoonful of honey, is given twice a day. Or A powder of the root is given in doses of 5 grams thrice a day.

Swelling
Root powder is taken in dose of 3 grams with Go mutra.

To increase lactation
Boil half teaspoon roots in cup of milk. Filter and drink.

Ulcers, abscesses
A hot poultice of the root can be applied.

Worms

Root decoction is given. Or A powder of the root is given in doses of 5 grams thrice a day.











No comments: