Punarnava
Punarnava
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].
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].
What is the source of Punarnava?
Plant Based
Benefits of Punarnava
1. Wound healing
Punarnava helps in quick healing of the wound, decreases swelling and brings back the normal texture of the skin. It helps in quick healing of the wound and reduces inflammation. This is due to its Ropan (healing) property.
Tips:
a. Take 1/2-1 teaspoon of Punaarnava powder or as per your requirement.
b. Make a paste with milk or mustard oil and apply to affected area.
c. Repeat this daily for quick healing of the wound.
2. Joint pain
Punarnava helps to reduce bone and joint pain when applied to the affected area. According to Ayurveda, the bones and joints are considered a site of Vata in the body. Pain in the joints is mainly due to Vata imbalance. Applying or massaging with Punarnava base oil helps to reduce joint pain. This is due to its Vata balancing property.
Tips:
a. Take 1/2-1 teaspoon of Punaarnava powder or as per your requirement.
b. Make a paste with hot water or mustard oil and apply to affected area.
c. Repeat this daily to manage joint pain.
Punarnava helps in quick healing of the wound, decreases swelling and brings back the normal texture of the skin. It helps in quick healing of the wound and reduces inflammation. This is due to its Ropan (healing) property.
Tips:
a. Take 1/2-1 teaspoon of Punaarnava powder or as per your requirement.
b. Make a paste with milk or mustard oil and apply to affected area.
c. Repeat this daily for quick healing of the wound.
2. Joint pain
Punarnava helps to reduce bone and joint pain when applied to the affected area. According to Ayurveda, the bones and joints are considered a site of Vata in the body. Pain in the joints is mainly due to Vata imbalance. Applying or massaging with Punarnava base oil helps to reduce joint pain. This is due to its Vata balancing property.
Tips:
a. Take 1/2-1 teaspoon of Punaarnava powder or as per your requirement.
b. Make a paste with hot water or mustard oil and apply to affected area.
c. Repeat this daily to manage joint pain.
Precautions when using Punarnava
Advice from Experts

Ayurvedic View
Always use Punarnava powder with water or coconut oil if you have a hypersensitive skin.
Recommended Dosage of Punarnava
- Punarnava Powder - ½ -1 teaspoon or as per your requirement.
How to use Punarnava
1. Punarnava Leaf/Root Powder
A. For wound healing and inflammation
i. Take ½ -1 teaspoon of Punarnava leaf powder.
ii. Add honey and milk to it to make a paste.
iii. Apply on the skin for better wound healing, insect/scorpion/snake bites and also to manage inflammation and pain[2].
B. For skin disorders
i. Take ½ -1 teaspoon of Punarnava leaves or root powder.
ii. Add mustard oil to it.
iii. Apply on the affected area to manage skin disorders[2].
A. For wound healing and inflammation
i. Take ½ -1 teaspoon of Punarnava leaf powder.
ii. Add honey and milk to it to make a paste.
iii. Apply on the skin for better wound healing, insect/scorpion/snake bites and also to manage inflammation and pain[2].
B. For skin disorders
i. Take ½ -1 teaspoon of Punarnava leaves or root powder.
ii. Add mustard oil to it.
iii. Apply on the affected area to manage skin disorders[2].
References
- The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia Of India.Part 1 Volume 1.
- Mishra S, Aeri V, Gaur PK, et al.Phytochemical, therapeutic, and ethnopharmacological overview for a traditionally important herb: Boerhavia diffusa Linn.BioMed Research International.2014.
- Chaudhary G, Dantu PK.Morphological, phytochemical and pharmacological, studies on Boerhaavia diffusa L.J Med Plants Res.2011;5(11):2125-2130.
- Awasthi LP, Verma HN.Boerhaavia diffusa - a wild herb with potent biological and antimicrobial properties.Asian Agrihist.2006;10(1).
- Kumar R, Gautam S, Singh KD et al.Pharmacological properties of Boerhavia diffusa: a review.International Journal of Chemical Studies.2018;special issue 1:72-80.
Disclaimer
The content is purely informative and educational in nature and should not be construed as medical advice. Please use the content only in consultation with an appropriate certified medical or healthcare professional.