Punarnava - healthy herbs

 

                                   Punarnava ( Boerhavia diffusa )

           Punarnava is annual Indigenous herbs , which spread like a spider web in most tropical backyards during the rainy season . The aerial part of plant dries up in summer and regenerates in the rainy season . It is a creeper that grow up to 2-3 meters in length , with pink flowers and green coloured oval fruits . “ Puna “ means again and Nava means new ( The world Punarnava means  “ renewal of the body “ or rejuvenation of the body ) . So it is rejuvenates the cells rather than only eliminating water from the body . It means it is useful even where the cells of various organs are damaged .All parts of Punarnava herbs are very useful as medicinal purpose . In our country India , Sri Lanka ,Nepal and are  many people use it as ayurvedic herbal medicine in their daily lives . Generally Punarnava plant has two varieties , the white and red Punarnava . Part of plant used – Whole plant , root  and leaf . It is helpful for kidney health and reducing fluid retention due its natural diuretic properties . It also help to improve liver function and support respiratory health .

Others name of Punarnava  - Family – Nyctaginaceae –

    Common Name ( Hog weed , Pig weed , Tar vine ) , English ( Spreading hog weed ) , Nepalese ( Punarnava ) , Bengali ( Punarnova ) , Kannada ( Komme ) , Telgu ( Punar-nava ) , Gujrati ( Satodi ) , Assam ( Pananua ) , Marathi ( Vasu , Ghetoli , Punarnava ) , Botanical name ( Boerhavia diffusa )  .

Properties of Punarnava –

1.     Some Ayurvedic properties of Punarnava are – Rasa / Taste –( Madhur / Sweet ,Tikta  / Bitter , Kashya / Astringent ) , Guna / Qualities  - ( Laghu / Lightness , Rooksha / Dryness), Vipaka –( Katu / Undergoes pungent taste conversion after digestion ) , Veerya / Potency  – ( Ushna / Hot potency ) . Action / Prabhava – Rejuvenating .

2.     Tridosha – It Balance Kapha and Vata dosha . According to Bhav Prakash , red Punarnava as  cool nature . According to a review of some article published , the white variety is known to be good for all three ayurvedic Doshas while the red Punarnava is to pacify Pitta dosha . Punarnava acts as a rejuvenating agent , balance Tridosha , minimize inflammation, prevent bloating , improves cardiac health and stimulates the formation of blood and increase haemoglobin level in the blood . Punarnava is renowned for its cardioprotective properties , helping to maintain a healthy heart . It may help to regulates blood pressure by promoting better circulation and reducing strain on the cardiovascular system .

3.     Punarnava is natural wonder herbs , which is beneficial for almost every essential body function .It is an anti-microbial , anti-oxidant, diuretic , inflammatory , ulcerative , and anti-inflammatory herbs with Rasayana / Rejuvenator properties .Consumption of Punarnava may not just alleviate the risk of some common infections but as a revitalizing agent . It also has a good effect on the hemostasis and heart .

4.  Improve liver function and digestion  -   Punarnava is used to revitalize and cleaning the liver, by removing toxins from the liver cells . This is because of its purification and diuretic properties. It may also helps to improve digestive fire due to its appetizer property . It helps to digest the food easily and minimize the load of liver . Punarnava acts as a very powerful herbs in controlling bilirubin levels and maintaining  a balance levels . Being a potent digestive agent , Punarnava herbs stimulate the secretion the gland  of digestive juices thereby increasing the absorption of essential nutrients and enhancing digestion . Its leaves and root act as a powerful digestive agent and cure all intestinal problems .

6.    Minimize UTI infection and enlargement of Prostate gland - The Punarnava plant has powerful anti-oxidants , anti-inflammatory ,anti- spasmodic , and anti-microbial properties , which helps to prevent bacterial infection in the  urinary tract . Because of these properties Punarnava acts as a diuretic and help to expel excess fluid from the body through urine . Thus Punarnava plant is extremely helpful in treating all type of UTI infection and thereby reducing inflammation and pain while urinating  or  such as painful urination  .  Anti-oxidants effect of Punarnava , reduce the inflammation of the enlarge prostate gland . Thus ,Enlarge prostate gland can get the greatest benefit by consuming  Punarnava .  

7.  Nephro protection -   Punarnava may activate nephro-protective functions which may help in curing kidney disease and supporting a healthy kidney function , with the help of its diuretic properties . It also helps to reduce the levels of glycosuria ( sugar in the urine) , albuminuria ( proteins in urine) ,lipuria (fat in urine) ,which can cause kidney stone. . Consuming Punarnava with chandraprabha vati are more effective for improving kidney function . By consuming Punarnava continuously ,reduce the level of urea and creatinine in blood of kidney patient .

9. Weight loss-  Punarnava is one of the best rejuvenative herbs ,  play a key role in burning excess fat for weight management . Increasing weight is only due to unhealthy food habit and life style which leads to a weak digestive fire . This increase accumulation of Ama , resulting in obesity . Punarnava is useful to control obesity as it helps improve metabolism and minimize Ama , due to its appetizer and digestive properties . Punarnava is also remove excess toxic fluids and waste product the body by increasing urine flow . In other ways , the presence of potent bioactive constituents prevent weight gain and reduce the bad cholesterol in the blood . Being mild laxative , it washes out toxic fluid from the body and maintain body weight .

12.  Arthritis / Amvata disease in which vitiation of vat dosha and accumulation of Ama / toxic  remain in the body , takes place in the joints and create pain .Punarnava helps to correct digestive fire and reduce Ama due to appetizer , anti-inflammatory and digestive fire properties  . It also has Vata balancing and diuretic properties which gives relief from joint pain . Due to diuretic activity , Punarnava helps to remove excess uric acid from the body .

13.  Help in Controlling diabetes -Punarnava might be best for diabetes as it has anti-diabetic activity and rejuvenation properties ,  which helps the control blood sugar levels by restoring and regulating the cells responsible for producing and maintain insulin level in the body . The level of insulin produced by pancreatic cells is significantly increased while taking Punarnava herbs, which helps to minimize blood sugar level  .

14. Immunity improvement -  Punarnava is good remedy for cold and  fever caused by climate change and consuming cold foods . These help in smooth breathing by removing the mucus that has accumulated in the airways and prevents the progression of the common cold and provide relief of it . Punarnava leads to development of our body function. Immunity is one of the major body function responsible for keeping off infection and disease from our bodies . Punarnava act as an immunomodulant ( improve immunity ) thus it always keeping us from falling sick .

Chemical properties of Punarnava  -

1.     Punarnava contains 1.61 % of daily recommended amount of total fat in 100 gm  . It contains 2.2 % of daily required proteins intake and 160 mg of salt . It contains 140 mg of calcium and 44.8 mg of vitamin C . Punarnava is a good source of nutritional supplements , such as 15 Amino acid ( 6 essential ) in the whole plant and 14 Amino acid ( 7 essential ) . Presence of Vitamin B3,  B2 and Iron also found  in Punarnava roots  .

2.     Amino acid are molecules used by all living things to make proteins . Our body needs 20 different amino acid to proper function . In Punarnava 15 amino acid found  out of 20 . They play keys role in synthesis of hormones , possess antioxidant abilities ,assisting in the creation and growth of muscles , boost our immune system and many others .

3.     The chemical constituents of Punarnava are b-Sitosterol , a-2-sitosterol ,Palmitic acid , Boerhaavia acid  , Boeravinon , Tetracosanoic , Hexacosonoic , Stearic , Arachidic acid , Ursolic acid , Punarnavine  etc.

4.     The roots of Punarnava are the source of secondary metabolite such as  Isoflavonoids known as Rotenoids , Flavonoids , Flavonoids glycosides , Lignans , Alkaloids , Phenolic glycosides  , C-methyl flavones , Flavanol , Isoflavones , Phenolic acid , Xanthones and steroids ( Ecdysteroids ) , Sterol ,Sterol ester ,  Fatty acid ,.

5.     Rotenoids are naturally occurring substance containing a hydrochromeno (3,4-b) chromene nucleus . Biological application of Rotenoids such as anti-cancerous , anti-oxidants , anti-inflammatory , anti-microbial and cytotoxic activities .

6.     Flavonoids are secondary metabolites , which perform may many function like regulating cell growth , protecting against biotic and a biotic stresses . It also act as detoxifying agents and anti-microbial defensive compounds .

7.     Flavonoids glycosides compound produced in leaves to protect against damage from higher  level of solar radiations . This compound possess a number of benefits , including anti-cancerous , anti-oxidants , anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties . They also help as neuro-protective and cardio-protective effects .

8.     Lignans are defined as phytoestrogens , which included health benefit like , a  minimize risk of heart problem , cancer etc .. In some research paper shows and suggested that consuming   plant lignans benefits prostate health and may help to reduced its developing cancer .

9.     Punarnavine is a quinolizidine alkaloids , which are useful as an appetizer , eye tonic , for flushing out the renal system and treat blood pressure . It possess analgesic , anti-inflammatory , hepatoprotective , immunomodulatory and anti-proliferative properties . In some research paper published , conclusion are – Punarnavine showed anti-depressant  -like activity probably through inhabitation of brain MAO-activity ,decrease plasma nitrite level due to its antioxidants activity .

10.  Ur Solic acid is a pentacyclic triterpenoid , which can be used as an treatment and prevention of cancer , obesity , diabetes , cardiovascular disease , liver problem etc.

11.  b-Sitosterol is one of several phytosterol ,which mostly use for lowering cholesterol levels and improving of an enlarged prostate . It is also used for curing heart problem , arthritis disease .

Use of Punarnava –

1.     Punarnava leaves have anti-bacterial properties that make it an excellent for reduce bacterial infection caused due to both gram –positive and gram-negative bacteria .The extract of Punarnava also help soothe cough as it act as an expectorant .

2.     In jaundice and Liver problem , Punarnava decoction is highly effective .

3.     Punarnava have nephroprotective action .For reducing  Fat , protein and sugar in urine , Punarnava is used  with Chandraprabha Vati for better result .

Side Effect of Punarnava –

1.     It is a better that , if currently consuming any kind of medicine ,consult ayurvedic doctor before taking Punarnava as it may interfere with the drug action .

2.     Punarnava has diuretic properties , which means it leads to water loss from our body  . It is necessary that we follow moderation before taking Punarnava and consult ayurvedic doctor  to know proper dosage .

3.     Please consult physician before consuming the Punarnava . Not suitable for pregnant women and children below 12 years . Do not take Punarnava with alcohol  . It may cause drowsiness .

4.     If Punarnava used unwisely in high dosage more than 10 gm per day , it can cause vomiting . Punarnava not use if you have any ethanol related allergies . It may create burning sensation in the throat if taken on empty stomach or without water .

Disclaimer –

   This article is only for  educational purpose , general information and is not for medicinal purpose . Taking Punarnava as a medicinal purpose always consume  after consulting doctor.