Boerhaavia diffusa
Boerhaavia repens.
Punarnava, benikasumi, bish kapra, denispat, godhaparna, hand qoqa, herlee a cochons, mukkirattai, punarnwa, sarana, spreading hogweed. [1]
Boerhaavia diffusa is a prostrate herb found growing in tropical, wet areas, mostly during rainy seasons. The creeping, hairy and sometimes purplish stems yield small red or white flowers. The leaves of this plant are smooth and oblong or cordite.
B. diffusa needs full sunlight in order to flourish. It can withstand droughts although it prefers a moist soil. It is used in traditional medicinal systems throughout tropical climates of the world, and in Nigeria is used as rabbit food. Medicinal use dates back thousands of years in India; the Sanskrit name applied to B. diffusa is “Punarnava” which translates roughly to “one which renews the body”. It should be noted that a few studies have found that the plant is most effective, medically, when harvested in the month of May. [2][3][4]
Beta-sitosterol, chlorides, chlorates, hentriacontane, nitrates, potassium nitrate, Punarnavine, sulfates, ursolic acid, beta-ecdysone, boeravine, boeravinones, flavons, hypoxanthine-9-L-arabinofuranoside, liridoderdin, punarnavoside, syringaresinol mono Beta-D-glucoside. [1][3]
Whole plant. [1]
Boerhaavia diffusa, often called Punarnava, has been used in the Ayurvedic system of medicine for thousands of years. Extracts can be taken from the whole plant or just the root. Most commonly, Punarnava is used to treat gastrointestinal and hepatic disorders. [3][5] The leaves from Punarnava are traditionally used to treat dyspepsia, enlarged spleen, and general abdominal discomfort. [5] The whole plant is used in treatment of biliousness, jaundice, internal inflammation and constipation. [1][5] In addition to its use in the gastrointestinal system, Punarnava has been used in asthma, congestion. It also has been used as a blood purifier, cardiotonic and a treatment for anemia. Ayurvedic medicine also qualifies Punarnava as useful in treatment of leucorrhoea, anascara, and as an antidote to snake venom. Its rasa (taste) has been classified as madhura (sweet), titka (bitter), and kasaya (astringent). [6] Punarnava pacifies the kapha and vata doshas, stimulates the pitta dosha and has a generally warming effect on the body.
Herb infusion: One to three teaspoons (5 – 15 grams) whole herb up to three times per day. [1]
Root – 250mg to 500 mg one to two times per day.
Pre-clinical
Boerhaavia diffusa is presently being studied for its potential role in diabetes and liver disorders. Numerous laboratory and animal studies have proven the efficacy of B. diffusa as a hypoglycemic. [2][7][8] This is probably due to its regenerative actions upon Beta-cells in the pancreas. [9] One study suggested that the effect of B. diffusa on blood glucose was comparable to glibenclamide. [6]
B. diffusa has been used to treat hepatic disorders for thousands of years. Today there are many studies that verify this claim. One animal study evaluated the effect of B. diffusa on rats with ethanol-induced liver damage. The liver damage consisted of increased levels of cholesterol, free fatty acids and triglycerides in the liver and kidneys, all of which were reversed after treatment with B. diffusa. [10] Additional studies have confirmed the usage of B. diffusa as a hepatoprotective with no signs of toxicity. [3][11]
B. diffusa also may play a role in cancer treatment. Animal studies have shown the effectiveness of using B. diffusa as both a chemopreventive in mice and radioprotective in mice. [12][13]
Animal studies have also confirmed the effectiveness of B. diffusa as a dermatological antifungal. These studies show that treatment decreases the growth of various species of fungus from the Microsporum genus. [14][15] Additional research has indicated that B. diffusa, particularly the chemical Punarnavine, has the ability to inhibit the metastasis of certain melanomas in mice. [16][17][18]
In other research settings animal and preclinical studies have showed that B. diffusa exhibits spasmolyticanalgesic, and immunomodulatory activity. [19][20][21][22]
Clinical
No documentation.
Interaction with other Herbs
No documentation.
Interaction with Drugs
Not to be used by those taking medication for hepatic disorders as this herb may alter treatment outcomes. [6]
Not to be used by those taking diabetes medication as this herb may alter the dosage required. [10]
Side effects
No documentation.
Pregnancy
Not to be used by pregnant and nursing women.
Age limitation
No documentation.
Adverse reaction
No documentation.
2) Western Herb
3) South Central America Herbs