Ingredient profile
Punarnava
Boerhavia diffusa
A spreading herb whose name means “renewing”, traditionally used to support fluid balance.
- Hindi
- पुनर्नवा
- Sanskrit
- Punarnava
- Family
- Nyctaginaceae
- Part used
- root
Traditional use
Punarnava is a creeping herb with small pink flowers. Its name means “that which renews”, because the plant regrows each rainy season from its root.
In Ayurvedic tradition
Ayurveda uses punarnava as a rejuvenating herb that is traditionally associated with supporting healthy fluid balance in the body.
Ayurvedic properties
- Rasa (taste): Sweet, bitter, astringent
- Guna (qualities): Light, dry
- Virya (potency): Heating
- Vipaka (post-digestive effect): Sweet
- Effect on the doshas: Balances all three doshas
How it is traditionally taken
Used as a root or whole-plant powder, a decoction, or in formulations.
Safety notes
Consult a practitioner before use, especially if you take medication. Use as directed on the product label. This profile is for general education and is not medical advice.
References
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (monograph: Punarnava) pharmacopoeia