In Ayurveda text, Boerhavia diffusa has a lot of medicinal value. Boerhaavia diffusa L. is found as a weed. It is a perennial herb with creeping and spreading structure, also with a stout root-stock and many erect or spreading branches.
Parts used – Root and leaves
Uses – Two varieties of punarnava alleviate kapha and vata, reduce ama and cure durnama (piles), vradhna (inguinal lymphadenitis), sopha (oedema) and udara (obstinate abdominal diseases including ascitis.) They are laxative and hot in potency. They are rasayana (rejuvenating).
The root and leaves of Punarnava is used in the form of juice and decoction to treat anaemia, oedema, internal abscess, calculi, eye diseases, oedema during pregnancy, haemoptysis, for inducing
sleep, fever, rheumatic ailments, difficult labour, vaginal pain and as rejuvinative.
Oedema
1. Paste of punarnava, sunthi (zingiber officinale) and mustaka (Cyperus rotundus) should be taken in dose of 10gm with milk 640ml (CS.Ci.12.23)
2. Punarnava, guduci (Tinospora cordifolia) and guggulu (Commiphora mukul) pounded in equal quantity alleviates oedema, abdominal distension, (5-10 gms)(HS.3.25.14)
Eye diseases
Punarnava root powder or the paste removes itching, when taken with milk, honey, ghee respectively,(5-10 gms) (BP.Ci.63.210)
As Rasayana
As a rejuvinative therapy, paste of fresh punarnava 20gm, with milk continually more than a month (AH.U.39.155).