Traditional Indian Herbs Punarnava and Its Medicinal Importance

ISSN 2278- 4136Online Available at www.phytojournal.comJournal of Pharmacognosy and PhytochemistryTraditional Indian Herbs Punarnava and Its MedicinalImportanceDebjit Bhowmik 1 , K.P. Sampath Kumar 1 *, Shweta Srivastava 2 , Shravan Paswan 2 , Amit Sankar 2 , Dutta Dutta 31. Karpagam University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India.[E-mail: debjit_cr@yahoo.com]2. Department of Pharmaceutical sciences, Coimbatore medical college, Coimbatore,Tamil Nadu, India.3. R. K. Pharmacy college, Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, India.Ayurveda considers man as an integral part of Mother Nature. Therefore the laws of nature are very well applicablefor him also. Ancient philosophy which ponders the “secret of life and beyond” gives prime importance for health. Ithas understood the need of longevity and effectiveness to attain the supreme goal. Punarnava helps maintainefficient kidney and urinary functions with its diuretic, laxative, stomachic, diaphoretic, anthelminthic antispasmodicand anti-inflammatory action. According to Ayurveda, Punarnava is bitter, cooling, astringent to bowels,useful in biliousness, blood impurities, leucorrhoea, anaemia, inflammations, heart diseases, asthma, alternatives etc.The leaves are useful in dyspepsia, tumours, spleen enlargement and abdominal pains. According to Unani system ofmedicine, the leaves are appetizer, alexiteric, useful in opthalmia, in joint pains. Seeds are tonic expectorant,carminative, useful in lumbago, scabies. The seeds are considered as promising blood purifier.Keyword: Punarnava, kidney and urinary functions1. IntroductionAyurveda aims for a holistic man with sharpintellect which can pierce in to the hidden truthsof nature, and a heart concerned about the fellowbeings, well supported with a physical efficiencyto perform duties properly. The most ancientscriptures and the reference point of Indian lifeare Vedas. Ayurveda is an offshoot of Vedas. Theumbilical cord connection of Ayurveda with theVedas explains its strong philosophical basement.Earlier Ayurveda was taught in Gurukulas wherethe disciples stay serving their guru learning boththeory and practical of life in a very organic way.Life is a journey. For those who know thedestination and the road map it is a pleasure andsource of enlightment. Ayurveda is that scienceand art of living which guides you in the journeyof life. It is the Indian wisdom for global health.In fact the Indian sciences were always concernedabout the wellbeing of not only the mankind butalso of the other living things and even non-livingthings. The bits of knowledge about the lawsgoverning the universe in general gotconsolidated as man started living in groups. Inthe light of this knowledge, he formulated thelaws governing the health and illness using hisscattered experience of healing he had gatheredas the raw material. This gave rise to the sciencecalled Ayurveda. The prime effort of Ayurveda isto ensure health. The preventive aspects aredescribed in great detail. The daily regimen andseasonal regimen are mentioned separately.Promotive medicine is another major area whereAyurveda has greater say. The rejuvenative andaphrodisiac treatments cater this need. Finally, inthe curative domain, the etiology is analyzed andVol. 1 No. 1 2012 www.phytojournal.com Page | 52

Debjit Bhowmik , K.P. Sampath Kumar *,Shweta Srivastava, Shravan Paswan, Amit Sankar Duttathe imbalance it has created is evaluated beforedeciding the mode of treatment. The cardinalreasons for all diseases are the derailed intellect,weak will, and impaired memory together istermed as Pranjaparadha. To conceive the rightpractice of health one need clear intellect. To putthem in to practice one need a strong will. Toavoid the wrong doings of the past, memory hasto be intact. So Pranjaparadha remains the reasonbehind all the reasons that cause diseases. Apartfrom this, environmental and genetical reasons ofdisease are also recognized by Ayurveda. In alldiseases in spite of varying reasons, the basicreason is the imbalance of Tridosha and thetreatment principle is to bring back the normalcy.The disease can manifest as somatic, psychiatric,or psycho somatic. The balance is achieved byinternal purification, external treatmentmodalities, administering medicine internally andalso using holistic methods addressing both bodyand mind. It ranges from pancha karma,Rasayana, Yoga, meditation and soon.Panchakarma is a unique treatment packagewhich is meant to cleanse both body and mind.They are emesis, purgation, enema, nasalmedication, and bloodletting. Rasayana is therejuvenative therapy which delays aging,provides immunity, enhances memory andincreases sensory perception. Personal health isthe sum total of good food, good regimen, goodemotions and good environment. Ayurvedaelaborate the science of diet stating the pros andcons of different food items. The quantity andquality of food is instructed. Ayurveda warnsagainst the improper combination of food stuffsin detail and enlist the diseases it can cause.Aboutexercise, sleep, and sex, Ayurveda gives clearguidelines. The timings and frequency have to beadjusted according to the seasonal variations. Sixseasons have been identified in the Indian contextand detailed seasonal regimens are given alongwith the method of changing one regimen toanother in a gradual smooth manner. This helpsto prevent seasonal disease and position the bodyagainst the seasonal variations. Punarnava isprimarily used for kidney and urinary disorders.An extract from the root extract is used as akidney and liver tonic. It improves thefunctioning of kidneys damaged by diabetes.Being a diuretic and mild laxative, it helps indetoxification and prevents fluid retention. It alsohelps in treating obesity. It is hepatoprotective,used in treatment of jaundice and other liverproblems. It provides relief from joint pains andinflammation, works as a blood purifier, givesimmunity to the body, and improves functioningof lungs. Some researchers have suggested that ithas antibacterial properties and used in treatmentof gonorrhea.1.1 Biological SourcesPunarnava (Hogweed) literally means ‘bringback to life’ or ‘renewer’. It is a creeper thatgrows wild in India and Brazil throughout yearbut dries during the summer. It bears small fleshyleaves, small reddish pink flowers and fruits inwinter. It is bitter in taste and has cooling effect.It has very high medicinal value.Fig 1: punarnavaSimilar to its name it rejuvenates the whole bodyi.e. with routine use of Punarnava a fellowbecome young again – full of vigor andvitality. Punarnava corrects the digestivesystem, alleviates fluid retention and very usefulin managing heart diseases. Punarnava alsobenefits in anemia, hernia and respiratorydistress. Punarnava can also be taken in liverVol. 1 No. 1 2012 www.phytojournal.com Page | 53

Debjit Bhowmik , K.P. Sampath Kumar *,Shweta Srivastava, Shravan Paswan, Amit Sankar Duttaproblems and managing lipids and cholesterol inhealthy limits.1.2 Biological name: Boerhavia diffusaKingdom: PlantaeDivision: MagnoliophytaClass: MagnoliopsidaOrder: CaryophyllalesFamily: NyctaginaceaeGenus: Boerhavia1.3 Common Names:-santhi, moto satado,ataki,sanadika, gonajali, sanadika, sothaghna,etc..Nature:-it is a herb mostly spreads on theground .Leaves:-leaves are small with whitish onthe lower surface and upper green.Flowers:-flowers are very small reddishin color.Fruits:-fruits with fivecoloring glandular.Medicinal Uses:-This plants root isuseful.The drug punarnava made up by this plants leavesand seeds.This drug consists the alkaloid. Realuse of this drug is diuretic.. but large dose canbring regarding vomitingThe Indian names of PunarnavaLanguages/Regions/Countries Names1) Bengal Punurnava2) GujaratiVakhakhaparo,Dholia-saturdo3) MarathiTambadivasu,Ghetuli4) Tamil Mukaratee-KireiPunernava,5) Hindi, Sanskrit & TeluguRaktakunda,Shothaghni,Varshabhu6) Kanarese Kommegida7) English Hogweed Part used: Herb, root Description/Habitant: This Ayurvedic herbis found throughout India. Growing to 70centimeters in height. It has a large rootsystem and produces yellow and whiteflowers. It can be found in many tropical andwarm-climate countries. Chemical composition: Major componentsare sitosterol, esters of sitosterol,punarnavine, boerhaavic acid, boeravinone,palmitic acid and many other compounds. Parts used: Whole herb, roots and seeds. Contraindications: Punarnava is a laxative;dosage should be determined by a qualifiedmedical professional. Children below 12years of age and pregnant women should nottake this herb.1.4 Therapeutic Uses:Herb is used as diureticExpectorantStomachicPrescribed in the treatment of jaundiceGiven in the loss of digestive powerEnlargement of spleenUsed for relieving abdominal pains1.5 Medicinal Uses1. Punarnava, the spiderlings, is a genus ofabout 40 species of annual or perennialherbaceous plants in the four o'clockflower family, Nyctaginaceae. Thecommon name refers to the appearance ofa spider or spider's web given by thenumerous long, slender and interlockingstems of the inflorescences.2. Punarnava is found in India and is avaluable medicinal plant.3. Therapeutic use:4. Punarnava is beneficial in treatingobesity.5. Punarnava is effective in treating a diseasecalled dropsy, a condition wherein excessVol. 1 No. 1 2012 www.phytojournal.com Page | 54

Debjit Bhowmik , K.P. Sampath Kumar *,Shweta Srivastava, Shravan Paswan, Amit Sankar Duttaof watery fluid gets accumulated in thetissues and body cavities. A liquid extractof this plant stimulates urine secretion anddischarge.6. It is also useful in treating Ascities, acondition caused by fluid accumulation inthe abdominal lining and is particularlyuseful in treating specific types of Ascitiescaused by certain liver diseases.7. The roots of the plant help in killingintestinal worms.8. It promotes mucous removal frombronchial tubes and hence beneficial intreating Asthma. When the paste made outof the roots of this plant, is appliedexternally on the skin, it forms abeneficial dressing for edematousswellings, ulcers and skin diseases.9. Other benefits include treatment ofanemia, nervous weakness, paralysis,constipation and cough.10. Studies have revealed that punarnava is anexcellent diuretic, anti-inflammatory, mildlaxative and is a heart tonic.11. Punarnava is also used in treating obesity,improving appetite, jaundice, and generalfever.1.6 Remedies of Punarnava and its MedicinalImportancePunarnava in India where it has a long history ofuse by indigenous and tribal people, and inAruyvedic or natural/herbal medicine in India.There, the roots are employed for many purposesincluding liver, gallbladder, kidney, renal andurinary disorders. Bitter, stomachic, laxative,diuretic, expectorant, rejuvenative, diaphoretic,emetic Root-purgative, anthelmintic, febrifuge,White-laxative, diaphoretic.Punarnava gives flowers and fruits in rainyseason. It has two varieties as described inayurvedic text i.e. white and red variety ofPunarnava.one more variety i.e. blue Punarnavacan also be found as mentioned in otherayurvedic text named rajnighantu. It has beenmentioned in the ayurvedic text that the whitePunarnava variety is what we commonly callPunarnava i.e. boerhaavia diffusa and the redPunarnava variety is Trianthema portulacastrumwhich is generally used to adultrate Punarnavaroots. Thus white Punarnava is basically used forthe medicinal purpose. The white variety ofPunarnava works as all the three dosha (vata,pitta and kapha) shamak i.e. it suppresses all thethree aggravated doshas whereas the redPunarnava variety aggravates the vata dosha andsuppresses the pitta dosha. As a whole both thevarieties of punaranava are laghu (light) andruksha (dry) in properties.Punarnava also known by the botanical name ofred hogweed is a very effective diureticIt works very well on the urinary system and ittargets directly the damaged nephrons(kidney’sbasic functional unit) which get damagedspecially in cases of high blood sugar level i.e indiabetic people. Punarnava speeds up thefiltration process of kidneys and flushes out theexcessive fluids and other waste productsPunarnava is very effective in treating obesitythus it is a very important ingredient for a varietyof patent Ayurvedic medicines used to treatobesity. It also acts as anti-inflammatory drug. Itis good for respiratory problems as well as it actson the kapha dosha and thus suppresses themucous formation. Thus Punarnava forms anintegral part of many ayurvedic medicines thathelps curing asthma, dysnoea and other breathingproblems as it helps in the removal of mucusfrom the bronchial tubes. In conditions likepneumonia or dysnoea (difficulty in breathing)Punarnava is given along with Vacha (anotherAyurvedic herb)As Punarnava works as a diuretic it can cure theconditions like Anasarca ( i.e. generalized bodyswelling). It can even be used in seriousconditions like congestive cardiac problems. Oneof the Ayurvedic preparation that is used to treatanemia i.e. Punarnava mandoor has purnanava asan integral part .This preparation is used toincrease the Hb levels in the body and thus curesiron deficiency anaemia.Punarnava along with other ayurvedic herbs asRasna, Shunthi etc is used to treat swelling inconditions like rheumatoid arthritis. In such casesrasna works as analgesic, shunthi works asVol. 1 No. 1 2012 www.phytojournal.com Page | 55

Debjit Bhowmik , K.P. Sampath Kumar *,Shweta Srivastava, Shravan Paswan, Amit Sankar Duttaamahar i.e. does detoxification and Punarnavarelieves the swelling.Punarnava works as a very good tonic as well ingeneral debilities cases. It works as rasayana forthe body as it rejuvenates the body by cleansing itwith its unique property of flushing out the mala(toxins) from the dhatus (body tissues), balancesthe doshas and opening and nourishing thevarious body channels so that each and everytissue and cell of the body gets proper nutritionand keeps the body fit and fine.Punaranava is a very good nerve rejuvenator andit is given in cases of sciatica or nervousweakness or even paralysis condition. Externallyalso it is used for various purposes as in variouspanchkarma procedures like swedan(fomentation) where Punarnava roots mainly andpunaranva plant as a whole is used to relive painand swelling.When Punarnava is used in enemas it works as apurgative and treats flatulence. It works as a mildlaxative and it enhances the appetite thus can begiven in various gastric troubles includingconstipation which is a most common troublefaced by people these days.Punarnava can even be used to treat jaundice. Itcan be given in cases where intoxication due toserpent and rat bites has occurred. Sometimesfresh root juice of Punarnava is put into eyes soas to get relief from various eye ailments likenight blindness and conjunctivitis.Paste made from Punarnava roots is applied onthe injured wounds as it helps drying up theoozing out of that wound.Also Punarnava can be used as in the form ofdressing for various swellings or ulcers.Punarnava is also helpful for many skin disorders.Punarnava is very effective in treating diseaselike dropsy which is a condition where excess offluid gets accumulated in the tissues and cavitiesof the body,Punarnava can also be used to treat ascetic wherefluid gets accumulated in abdominal cavity.Mainly it treats the ascitis which is caused due tosome liver disorder. According to Ayurvedaascitis is described as jalodar roga where pradhandosha is vata which blocks the channels of airwithin the body thus making the water getsaccumulated in the peritoneal cavity of abdomeni.e. between muscles and abdominal skin.1.7 Traditional Uses Punarnava has a diuretics, Antiinflammatoryand carminative properties. For anti-inflammatoryeffect, Punarnava should use withsunthi.Punarnava is also a good Rasayana souseful in Aamavata. Punarnava Root is anticonvulsant,analgesic, expectorant, CNS depressant,laxative, diuretic, abortifacient.Punarnava has been reported to increaseserum protein level and re duce urinaryprotein extraction in clinical trials inpatients suffering with nephroticsyndrome.Punarnava is used for local application inthe form of poultice or fermentation inoedema.Punarnava leaf juice is used in the eyesfor topical application.Punarnava act as diuretic in dysuria.Punarnava roots rubbed in honey arelocally applied for cataract, chronicconjunctivitis, blepharitis.Punarnava useful in reducing swellingand foul smelling in skin disorders.Punarnava is useful in heart disease,anemia, edema.Punarnava leaves vegetable is consumedto reduce edema.1.8 Ayurvedic ApplicationsWhite-edema, anemia, heart disease, cough,intestinal colic, kidney disorders; same uses asred.Red-nervous system, heart disease, hemorrhoids,skin diseases, kidney stones, edema, rat and snakebites; chronic alcoholism, wasting diseases,insomnia, rheumatism, eye diseases, asthma(moderate doses), induces vomiting in largedoses, jaundice, ascites due to early liver andperitoneal concerns; urethritis.Vol. 1 No. 1 2012 www.phytojournal.com Page | 56

Debjit Bhowmik , K.P. Sampath Kumar *,Shweta Srivastava, Shravan Paswan, Amit Sankar DuttaLeaf juice with honey, dropped into the eyes forchronic ophthalmia.1.9 No side effects have been noted so far.According to Ayurveda, herbs are taken incombination with other herbs to neutralize thetoxicity of one herb with the opposing effect ofthe other or to enhance the particular effect of oneherb with the help of other.2. ConclusionPunarnava herb is most widely used in treatmentof renal and urinary problems. Punarnava isexcellent anti-inflammatory and diuretic. It isused as a heart tonic and kidney tonic. It is foundthroughout the India especially in rainy season.Punarnava is excellent anti-inflammatory anddiuretic. It tastes bitter and pungent. The wholeplant has medical benefits especially roots.In Ayurveda, Punarnava herb is most widely usedin treatment of renal problems and urinary tractinfections. Punarnava Himalaya Herb is used totreat jaundice, general fever and obesity. It is alsoused as anti-inflammatory and diuretic agent. It isused as a heart tonic and kidney tonic. The juiceof Punarnava root is useful for the people havingnight blindness. Externally Punarnava is used toreduce the pain and swelling. It helps to removemucous from bronchial tubes hence it is effectiveagainst asthma. The roots of the plants are usefulto kill intestinal worms. One of the best naturalherbal cure for respiratory diseases. Recentstudies have shown its effectiveness in fever likemalaria, jaundice and constipation complaints.Due to its high diuretic properties it is verybeneficial in the swelling recovery.3. Reference1. Jain, S.P., et.al., 1984. Ethnomedicinal Plants ofJaunsar-Bawar Hills, Uttar Pradesh, India JEthnopharmacol 12 2: 213-222 (1984)2. Anis, M. et.al., 1994. Medicinal Plantlore ofAligarh, India. Int J Pharmacog 32 1: 59-64Agarwal,R.R. 1934. Chemical Examination ofPunar-nava or Boerhaavia diffusa Linn. Proc AcadSci 4 : 73-76 (1934)3. Mudgal, V., 1975. Studies on Medicinal Propertiesof Convolvulus Pluricaulis and Boerhaavia Diffusa.Planta Med 28 : 62- (1975)4. Gaitonde, B.B., et.al., 1974. Diuretic Activity ofPunarnava (Boerhavia diffusa). Bull Haffkine Inst 2: 24- (1974)5. Chowdhury, A. et.al., 1955 Boerhaavia diffusa -Effect on Diuresis and Some Renal Enzymes. AnnBiochem Exp Med 15 : 119-126 (1955)6. Singh, R.P., et.al., 1992 Recent Approach inClinical and Experimental Evaluation of DiureticAction of Punarnava (B.diffusa) with SpecialReference to Nephrotic Syndrome. J Res Edu IndMed 7 1: 29-35 (1992)7. Devi, M.V., et.al., 1986 Effect of Phyllanthus nirurion the Diuretic Activity of Punarnava Tablets. JRes Edu Ind Med 5 1: 11-12 (1986)8. Mishra, J.P. et.al., Studies on the Effect ofIndigenous Drug Boerhaavia diffusa Rom. onKidney Regeneration. Indian J Pharmacy 12 : 59-.(1980)9. Chandan, B.K. et.al., 1991. Boerhaavia diffusa: AStudy of its Hepatoprotective Activity. JEthnopharmacol 31 3: 299-307 (1991)10. Hansen, K., et.al., 1995. In Vitro Screening ofTraditional Medicines for Anti-Hypertensive EffectBased on Inhibition of the Angiotensin ConvertingEnzyme (Ace) J Ethnopharmacol48 1: 43-51 (1995)11. Dhar, M., et.al., 1968. Screening of Indian Plantsfor Biological Activity: Part I. Indian J Exp Biol 6 :232-247 (1968)12. Sohni, et.al., 1995 The Antiamoebic Effect of aCrude Drug Formulation of Herbal ExtractsAgainst Entamoeba histolytica in Vitro and inVivo. J Ethnopharmacol 45 1: 43-52 (1995)13. Antifertility Studies on Plants. Anon: Indian CouncMed Res-Ann Rept Director General1978 : 63-64(1978)14. Adesina, S., 1979. Anticonvulsant Properties ofthe Roots of Boerhaavia diffusa. Q J Crude DrugRes 17 : 84-86 (1979)15. Akah, P., et.al., 1993. Nigerian Plants with AnticonvulsantProperty. Fitoterapia 64 1: 42-44(1993)16. Olukoya,D., et.al., 1993. Antibacterial Activity ofSome Medicinal Plants from Nigeria. JEthnopharmacol 39 1: 69-72 (1993)17. Vijayalakshimi, K., et.al., 1979. NematicidalProperties of Some Indigenous Plant MaterialsAgainst Second Stage Juveniles of MeloidogyneIncognita (Koffoid and White) Chitwood. Indian JEntomol 41 4: 326-331 (1979)18. Verma, H., et.al., 1979. Antiviral Activity ofBoerhaavia diffusa Root Extract and PhysicalVol. 1 No. 1 2012 www.phytojournal.com Page | 57