What is Punarnava? Know its Benefits and Uses

2022-03-17 11:36:49

Punarnava is a herb. Its root, leaves, fruits and seeds are being used in Ayurveda since ancient times to avoid many diseases. Punarnava in Ayurveda means to energize the body. Consuming powder or decoction made from it is good for health. Apart from this, abundant amounts of hydrochloride and potassium nitrate are found in the Punarnava plant, which is known to cure many diseases. It is used to control blood pressure, cure diabetes, promote sexual health, heal the skin, treat arthritis and asthma, etc. Due to all these qualities, Punarnava is considered an important traditional medicine in Ayurveda.

What is Punarnava?

Punarnava is a type of medicinal plant, which dries up every year in summer and blooms during the rainy season. This plant belongs to the Nyctaginaceae family whose botanical name is Boerhavia Diffusa. Its flowers are white, red and pale pink in colour. Its stems (vines) are purple in colour. Punarnava leaves are green and rounded at the edges. It is bitter in taste. Punarnava is commonly found in India, Myanmar, Africa, North and South America.

Benefits of Punarnava

Helpful in reducing obesity-

Although obesity is not a disease, it definitely becomes a reason for the development of other diseases. Therefore, the consumption of punarnava is beneficial for those who are suffering from obesity. According to scientific research done on this, Punarnava has anti-obesity properties. This property helps in reducing body weight and normalizing the weight of organ fat pads. According to another research, blood purifying activities are found in its leaves. Therefore, to reduce weight, take the decoction or powder of Punarnava regularly.

For the treatment of diabetes-

The Punarnava plant is traditionally used in many places for the treatment of diabetes. According to research, punarnava has anti-diabetic properties, which help in reducing the level of glucose present in the blood. For this, diabetic patients get benefit by making a decoction of Punarnava leaves and consuming it regularly.

Beneficial for heart health-

Consumption of punarnava is considered beneficial for heart health. Actually, punarnava has cardioprotective properties, which works for the smooth functioning of the heart. Apart from this, the consumption of decoction made from it works to improve the balance of blood and plasma in the body due to which the risk of getting heart disease is reduced. Also, Punarnava contains an abundant amount of insulin which works to reduce the level of cholesterol. As a result, the chances of having a heart attack are reduced.

To relieve stress-

The use of Punarnava is considered beneficial to relieve stress. The nutrients present in it are known to promote brain health. Apart from this, anti-stress and anti-depressant activities are found in Punarnava, which helps in dealing with mental problems like stress, depression. For this, take a decoction of the leaves of this plant or the powder of its root. By doing this, it helps in relieving stress and getting good sleep.

Beneficial for asthma-

Punarnava is considered effective medicine for asthma and respiratory diseases. Therefore, its regular use helps in the removal of catarrhal (mucous) substances and phlegm present in the bronchial tubes (respiratory tubes) due to which the problem of asthma gets cured to some extent. Thus, it is beneficial for asthma patients to consume the juice or decoction extracted from the Punarnava plant twice a day.

For cancer-

Punarnava also works to prevent and protect against cancer. Its root and leaves have anti-cancer properties which help in reducing the symptoms of cancer.

Helpful in improving kidney function-

Extract of Punarnava root is used as a diuretic. This increases the amount of urine due to which the toxins present in the kidney come out through urine due to which Punarnava has a positive effect on the health of the kidney. Apart from this, the consumption of Punarnava also removes all the diseases related to UTI. Therefore, the consumption of punarnava is an effective remedy for kidney function.

For gout-

Various ingredients are present in Punarnava Churna which help in reducing joint pain and swelling caused by arthritis. For this, mix 1 gram Punarnava powder with ginger and camphor and use it as a decoction. Doing this for at least a week gives great relief to arthritis. In this way, the consumption of punarnava has also been considered useful for arthritis.

Beneficial for jaundice-

The colour of the eyes and the skin of the body of a person suffering from jaundice change to yellow. Apart from this, symptoms like fever, weakness and yellow colour of urine etc appear in jaundice for which consumption of Punarnava is very beneficial. Its Panchag i.e. root, decoction, seed, flower and leaf should be consumed with honey or sugar candy. Along with this, a decoction made from the leaves of Punarnava is also beneficial for jaundice. Apart from this, taking powder of myrobalan mixed with the juice of whole parts of Punarnava provides great relief.

Effective for skin-

The use of the roots or leaves of Punarnava works to get rid of skin related problems. According to scientific research done on this, heating a paste made from the root of Punarnava and applying it on places like ulcers and boils provides relief. Apart from this, by heating the root of Punarnava in oil and massaging it on the skin, all types of skin disorders are cured. It works by purifying the blood and making the skin youthful. With its regular use, the natural glow of the skin remains intact.

Uses of Punarnava

• The powder made from Punarnava and Harad fruits is mixed with sugar and consumed in water.
• The powder of Punarnava is mixed with honey and consumed.
• Punarnava powder is mixed with milk and drunk.
• Its powder is consumed with lukewarm water.

Side effects of Punarnava

• Punarnava has the properties of reducing sugar. Therefore, excessive use of it can lead to the problem of low blood sugar.
• If a person is allergic to new foods, then that person should not consume them.
• Lactating mothers should avoid its consumption.
• Pregnant women should use Punarnava as per the doctor's advice.