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:
Post a Comment