Punarnava is a well known medicinal plant packed with essential nutrients, vitamins such as vitamin C and other constituents.
Taking Punarnava juice before meals might help manage stomach disorders such as constipation by promoting bowel movements due to its laxative property. It also provides relief from gas and abdominal pain. Punarnava is effective in improving digestion and managing weight by suppressing appetite. Punarnava also helps increase urine production due to its diuretic activity and reduces the risk of urinary complications. It might also be useful for managing liver problems due to its antioxidant activity which prevents liver cell damage caused by free radicals.
Applying Punarnava paste helps to heal skin due to its quick wound healing activity. Moreover, according to Ayurveda, massaging with Punarnava oil helps reduce joint pain due to its Vata balancing property.
It is advisable to use Punarnava powder with water or coconut oil if you have hypersensitive skin[2].
What are the synonyms of Punarnava?
Boerhaavia diffusa, Horse Purslene, Hog Weed, Gadapurna, Lalpunarnava, Kathilla, Sophaghni, Sothaghni, Varsabhu, Ranga Punarnabha, Rakta punarnava, Dholisaturdi, Motosatodo, Sanadika, Kommeberu, Komma, Vanjula Punarnava, Chuvanna Tazhutawa, Ghetuli, Vasuchimuli, Satodimula, Khaparkhuti, Lalapuiruni, Nalipuruni, ltcit (Ial), Khattan, Mukurattai (Shihappu), Atikamamidi, Erra galijeru[1].
Benefits of Punarnava
1. Liver disorders
Punarnava is used to revitalize and clean the liver. According to Ayurveda, when the liver is unable to perform well it also leads to an imbalance of Vata – Pitta-Kapha doshas. This might lead to liver diseases like jaundice. Taking Punanarva helps to correct the function of the liver by removing toxins from the liver cells. This is because of its Shodhan (purification) and Mutral (diuretic) properties. Punanarva also helps to improve digestive fire due to its Deepan (appetizer) property. It helps to digest the food easily and reduce the burden of liver.
Tips:
a. Take 1-2 teaspoon of Punarnava juice.
b. Add the same quantity of water to it.
c. Have it once or twice a day before taking meals to get rid of the symptoms of liver disorders.
2. Urinary Tract Infection
Urinary tract infection is described under the broad term of Mutrakcchra in Ayurveda. Mutra means ooze, krichra means painful. Thus, dysuria and painful urination are called as Mutrakcchra. In urinary tract infection, Punarnava helps to control burning sensation because it has Mutral (diuretic) effect. It increases the urine flow and subsides the symptoms of UTI like burning sensation during urination.
Tips:
a. Take 1-2 teaspoon of Punarnava juice.
b. Add the same quantity of water to it.
c. Have it once or twice a day before taking meals to get rid of the symptoms of UTI.
3. Obesity
Punarnava is one of the most common herbs which is used to manage weight. An increase in the weight is due to unhealthy food habits and lifestyle which leads to a weak digestive fire. This increases accumulation of Ama causing an imbalance in Meda dhatu and thus resulting in obesity. Punarnava is useful to control obesity as it helps improve metabolism and reduce Ama. This is because of its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties. Punarnava also removes excess fluids and waste products from the body by increasing the urine flow due to its Mutral (diuretic) nature.
Tips:
a. Take 1-2 teaspoon of Punarnava juice.
b. Add the same quantity of water to it.
c. Have it once or twice a day before taking meals to get rid of the symptoms of obesity.
4. Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)
Punarnava helps to reduce the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis-like pain and swelling. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is known as Amavata in Ayurveda. Amavata is a disease in which vitiation of Vata dosha and accumulation of Ama (toxic remains in the body due to improper digestion) takes place in the joints. Amavata starts with a weak digestive fire which leads to accumulation of Ama. This Ama is carried to different locations through Vata but instead of being absorbed, it gets accumulated in the joints. Punarnava helps to correct digestive fire and reduce Ama due to its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties. It also has Vata balancing and Mutral (diuretic) properties which gives relief from the symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis like pain and swelling in the joints.
Tips:
a. Take 1-2 teaspoon of Punarnava juice.
b. Add the same quantity of water to it.
c. Have it once or twice a day before taking meals to get rid of the symptoms of Rheumatoid arthritis