Punarnava
| Section/Chapter | Herb database/Punarnava |
|---|---|
| Botanical name(s) | Boerhavia diffusa Linn. |
| Family | Nyctaginaceae |
| Availability | Available |
| Contributors | Team Dravyaguna |
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Publisher | Charak Samhita Research, Training and Skill Development Centre |
| DOI | Awaited |
Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa L., family Nyctaginaceae) is a rejuvenative (Rasayana) medicinal plant widely studied for its nephroprotective, hepatoprotective, and immunomodulatory properties.
English name
Spreading hogweed
Therapeutic use
Shotha(oedema), Pandu(Anemia and diseases due to blood deficiency)[1]
Synonyms in Charak Samhita
Punarnava, Shothaghni(reduse oedema), Varshabhu(it is perennial plant gets regenerated during rainy season ), Kshudravarshabhu, Katthillak, Varshaketu(regenerates in varsha rutu), Vrushchira, Kathillaka
Synonyms in bhavprakash nighantu
Shwetamula(root is white in colour), Dirghapatrika[2]
Varieties
According to bhavprakash nighantu
- Shweta punarnava
- Rakta punarnava
According to rajanighantu
Mentioned 3 types[3]
- Shweta punarnava
- Rakta punarnava
- Nila punarnava
Ayurvedic pharmacological properties
| Sr.no. | Pharmacological criteria | Properties |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Taste (rasa) | Sweet (madhura), Bitter (tikta), Astringent (kashaya) |
| 2 | Potency (veerya) | Hot (ushna) |
| 3 | Post digestion effect (vipaka) | Sweet (madhura) |
| 4 | Qualities (guna) | Light (laghu), Rough (ruksha) |
| 5 | Actions (karma) | Pacify vata, pitta and kapha |
Reference in Charak Samhita and its actions
| Sr.no. | Reference in Charak Samhita | Activity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 2/12 | Asthapana(Herbs used in Therapeutic Enema) |
| 2 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(22) | Svedopaga mahakashaya(helping dia-phoresis/sudation) |
| 3 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(26) | Anuvasanopag mahakashaya(unctuous enema) |
| 4 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(36) | Kasahara mahakashaya (relieving cough) |
| 5 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 4/9(50) | Vayasthapana mahakashaya (anti-ageing) |
| 6 | Cha.Sa.Sutra Sthana 27/96 | Shaka Varga(group of vegetables) |
| 7 | Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/135 | Vamana dravyani (List of medicines used in therapeutic emesis) |
| 8 | Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/136 | Vamana dravyani (List of medicines used in therapeutic emesis) |
| 9 | Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/135 | Vamana dravyani (List of medicines used in therapeutic emesis) |
| 10 | Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/136 | Virechana Dravya (List of medicines used in therapeutic purgation) |
| 11 | Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/139 | Madhura skandha(group of sweet drugs) |
| 12 | Cha.Sa.Vimana Sthana 8/143 | Tikta skandha(group of bitter drugs) |
| 13 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 1/1/43 | In formulation of Brahma rasayana |
| 14 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 2/1/26 | Ingredient in Bruhaniya Gutika |
| 15 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/267 | As an ingredient of Agurvadi taila |
| 16 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/189 | As shaka-pathya ahara. |
| 17 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 3/267 | As an ingredient of Agurvadi taila |
| 18 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 7/125 | Bahyaprayogarth Lepa in Vata-Kaphaja Kushtha |
| 19 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 8/79 | Ingredient in Shira-Parshva–Ansa Shula nashak lepa |
| 20 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 8/170 | Ingredient in Strotosuddhikar Ghrita |
| 21 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 8/175 | As a Utsadan dravya Bahyaprayogarth(external treatment) |
| 22 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 11/26 | Rakta shthivan (treatment of excessive bleeding) |
| 23 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 11/36 | Ingredient in Amrutprash Ghrita |
| 24 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 11/56 | Ingredient in Dvitiya Sarpiguda |
| 25 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 11/66 | Ingredient in Chaturtha Sarpiguda |
| 26 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 11/36 | Ingredient in Amrutprash Ghrita |
| 27 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/22 | In treatment of Kaphaja Shvayathu |
| 28 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/23 | In treatment of Vataja Shvayathu |
| 29 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/25 | In treatment of Vataja Shvayathu |
| 30 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/34 | Ingredient in Punarnavadyarishta |
| 31 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 12/73 | As an Unmardan dravya in Kaphaja Shvayathu |
| 32 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 30/53 | As an ingredient of Kashmaryadi ghrita, used in the treatment of Vataja yoni |
| 33 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 16/93 | As an ingredient of Punarnava Mandura |
| 34 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 16/119 | As an ingredient of Vyoshadi Ghrita |
| 35 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 18/127 | As an ingredient of Kantakari ghrita |
| 36 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 18/177 | As an ingredient of Jivantyadi leha |
| 37 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 23/53 | As an ingredient of Kakandadi yoga |
| 38 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 29/61, 64 | As an ingredient of Jeevaniya Ghrita |
| 39 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 29/73 | As an ingredient of Jeevakadi mahasneha |
| 40 | Cha.Sa.Chikitsa Sthana 29/103 | As an ingredient of Amrutadya taila |
DOSE
- 20-30 g of the drug for decoction[4]
Important formulation
As per A.P.I.[5]
- Punarnavashtak kwatha
- Punarnavasava
- Punarnavadi mandura
- Sukumara ghruta
Current availability
Available
Current researches
Phytochemical Profile
- Alkaloids: Punarnavine
- Rotenoids: Boeravinones A through J
- Flavonoids & Phenols: Quercetin, kaempferol, and caffeic acid derivatives
- Lignans & Sterols: Liriodendrin, β-sitosterol, and ursolic acid
Therapeutic Efficacy & Pharmacological Evidence
Renoprotective & Diuretic Activity
Punarnava enhances renal clearance, reduces edema, and lowers blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine. Aqueous root extracts significantly attenuate nephrotoxicity by reducing lipid peroxidation and restoring renal superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase levels.[6]
Hepatoprotective Action
Boeravinones and flavonoids protect hepatic parenchyma against toxic insults and normalize elevated liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP). Root extracts markedly prevent carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity, preserving intracellular glycogen levels and liver cytoarchitecture.[7]
Anti-Inflammatory & Immunomodulatory Effects
The herb inhibits pro-inflammatory cascades by suppressing NF-κB activation and downregulating cytokines such as TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Isolated punarnavine enhances cell-mediated immunity, increases total white blood cell count, and inhibits tumor-directed angiogenesis.[8]
Cardioprotective & Antihypertensive Effects
Its diuretic effect reduces vascular pre-load without inducing severe potassium depletion, while constituent rotenoids demonstrate vasorelaxant activity. Isolated boeravinones exhibit calcium channel-blocking activity, providing a mechanistic basis for its antihypertensive action.[9]
Antioxidant & Antidiabetic Activity
Free-radical scavenging prevents cellular oxidative stress in endocrine tissues. Administration of leaf extract significantly reduces blood glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin while bolstering endogenous antioxidant enzyme activity in diabetic models.[10]
Dosage & Safety
- Standard Dosage: Churna (root powder): 3–6 g daily; Kwath (decoction): 20–30 mL twice daily.
- Safety Profile: High margin of safety (oral LD50 > 2000 mg/kg in acute toxicity rodent studies). Use with monitoring in cardiac patients taking digitalis due to potential diuretic-mediated electrolyte shifts.
References
- ↑ Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 1:60
- ↑ Shri Bhavamishra, Bhavaprakash Nighantu, guduchyadi Varga, Verse no. 231, Edited by Padmashree Pro. Krushnachandra Chunekar, Reprint Edition, Chaukhambha Bharati Academy, 2020;
- ↑ Dr. Indradev Tripathi , Raja Nighantu of pandit Narhari, ed.2016, Chaukhambha Krishnadas Academy, Varanasi ,parpatadi varga verse 116,120,122
- ↑ Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 1:60
- ↑ Anonymous. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India. Department of Ayush, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, Govt. of India, New Delhi, Part I. 1986; Volume 1:60
- ↑ Pareta, S. K., Patra, K. C., Mazumder, P. M., & Sasmal, D. (2011). Aqueous extract of Boerhaavia diffusa root ameliorates ethylene glycol-induced hyperoxaluric oxidative stress and renal injury in rat kidney. Pharmaceutical Biology, 49(12), 1224–1233. https://doi.org/10.3109/13880209.2011.581671
- ↑ Rawat, A. K. S., Mehrotra, S., Tripathi, S. C., & Shome, U. (1997). Hepatoprotective activity of Boerhaavia diffusa L. roots – a popular Indian ethnomedicine. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 56(1), 61–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0378-8741(96)01507-3
- ↑ Manu, K. A., & Kuttan, G. (2009). Immunomodulatory activities of Punarnavine, an alkaloid from Boerhaavia diffusa. Immunopharmacology and Immunotoxicology, 31(3), 377–387. https://doi.org/10.1080/08923970802702036
- ↑ Lami, N., Kadota, S., & Kikuchi, T. (1991). Constituents of the roots of Boerhaavia diffusa L. Isolation and structure determination of boeravinones D, E, and F. Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 39(7), 1863–1865. https://doi.org/10.1248/cpb.39.1863
- ↑ Satheesh, M. A., & Pari, L. (2004). Antioxidant action of Boerhavia diffusa L. in tissues of alloxan induced diabetic rats. Journal of Medical Food, 7(4), 472–476. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2004.7.472