Photo: Dr.S.Soundarapandian / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Punarnava पुनर्नवा
Boerhavia diffusa · Nyctaginaceae
Also known as: Hogweed, Boerhaavia diffusa
Part used: Root, whole plant
Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa) is Ayurveda's principal diuretic, whose name means "that which renews". It is used for oedema, kidney and liver complaints, anaemia and joint swelling, and is one of the few herbs whose classical indication — fluid retention — maps closely onto a modern one.
| Rasa (taste) | Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent) |
|---|---|
| Guna (qualities) | Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry) |
| Virya (potency) | Ushna (Hot) |
| Vipaka | Katu (Pungent) |
| Dosha | Balances Kapha & Vata |
| Prabhava | Classical systemic action |
Key takeaways
- Botanical name: Boerhavia diffusa
- Part used: Root, whole plant
- Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata
- Typical dose: Powder 1–3 g or fresh juice; also taken as decoction (kwath).
Punarnava in other languages
Introduction
Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa) means "that which renews" — a herb reputed to rejuvenate the body. It is Ayurveda's premier anti-oedema and kidney-supporting herb, used to clear excess fluid and support healthy kidney and liver function.
Classification
Of the Nyctaginaceae family, Punarnava is grouped among the Shothahara (anti-swelling), Mutrala (diuretic) and Rasayana dravyas. Its light-dry qualities and heating potency clear excess Kapha and fluid from the tissues.
Uses & benefits
Punarnava is the classical Shothahara drug — the one given for swelling and fluid retention. It is used in oedema, sluggish kidney function and liver enlargement, and is a mild diuretic that does not deplete. Its name means 'that which renews'.
Punarnava for oedema
The foremost Shothahara drug in the classical texts, used wherever fluid accumulates.
Punarnava for kidney support
Used in renal complaints and reduced urine output, and a standard component of Ayurvedic kidney formulations.
Punarnava for the liver
Used in Kamala and in liver enlargement, often alongside Katuki.
Punarnava for anaemia
Named in Pandu, and the lead drug of Punarnavadi Mandoor, an iron-based preparation for low blood.
Punarnava for joint swelling
Its anti-inflammatory and diuretic actions combine in arthritis where swelling is prominent.
Punarnava for ascites
Used in Udara-roga, abdominal fluid accumulation, within compound formulations.
Punarnava for the heart
Described as Hridya and used in cardiac formulations where fluid retention accompanies the complaint.
Punarnava as a Rasayana
Its name means renewal, and classical texts class it among the rejuvenative drugs.
Punarnava for urinary complaints
Used in burning and difficult urination alongside Gokshura.
Punarnava in Punarnavadi Mandoor and Punarnavarishta
The lead drug of both classical preparations, for anaemia with oedema and for liver and fluid complaints.
Dosage — how much to take
Powder 1–3 g or fresh juice; also taken as decoction (kwath). Follow your Vaidya's advice.
Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm with a qualified Vaidya.
Traditional uses — questions answered from the classical texts
Answers are drawn from the citations and properties recorded for this drug. No chapter-and-verse reference appears that the record does not carry.
Which classical texts describe Punarnava?
The citations held for Punarnava in this catalogue are: Charaka Samhita (Shotha Chikitsa); Bhavaprakasha Nighantu (Guduchyadi Varga).
What does the Charaka Samhita record about Punarnava?
Cited among the best anti-oedema herbs. Reference: Charaka Samhita — Shotha Chikitsa.
What does the Bhavaprakasha Nighantu record about Punarnava?
Described as Shothahara and Rasayana. Reference: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu — Guduchyadi Varga.
What is Punarnava traditionally used for in Ayurveda?
Punarnava is the classical Shothahara drug — the one given for swelling and fluid retention. It is used in oedema, sluggish kidney function and liver enlargement, and is a mild diuretic that does not deplete. Its name means 'that which renews'.
What are the Ayurvedic properties of Punarnava?
Rasa Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent), Guna Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry), Virya Ushna (Hot), Vipaka Katu (Pungent). Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata. Prabhava: Classical systemic action.
Why is Punarnava classified the way it is?
In dravya-guna a drug's dosha action follows from its taste, qualities, potency and post-digestive effect. Punarnava carries Ushna (Hot) virya and Katu (Pungent) vipaka, which together give the recorded action: Balances Kapha & Vata.
Which part of Punarnava is used medicinally?
The part used is Root, whole plant.
How much Punarnava is taken, and how?
Powder 1–3 g or fresh juice; also taken as decoction (kwath). Follow your Vaidya's advice. Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm it with a qualified Vaidya.
When should Punarnava be avoided?
Generally safe; use under guidance in pregnancy or with diuretic medication.
Where does Punarnava grow?
Punarnava is a spreading herb of roadsides, waste ground and fields across the plains of India, especially abundant in the rainy season.
Classical references
- Bhavaprakash Nighantu — Guduchyadi Varga
Described as Shothahara and Rasayana. - Charaka Samhita — Shotha Chikitsa
Cited among the best anti-oedema herbs.
Modern research
-
Ethnomedicinal values of Boerhaavia diffusa L. as a panacea against multiple human ailments: a state of art review
(see source). Frontiers in Chemistry (2023)
A review summarising Boerhaavia diffusa's diuretic, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory and nephroprotective activities.
View study doi:10.3389/fchem.2023.1297300 -
Hepatoprotective activity of Boerhaavia diffusa L. roots — a popular Indian ethnomedicine
Rawat AK, et al.. Journal of Ethnopharmacology (1997)
An experimental study reporting significant hepatoprotective activity of Boerhaavia diffusa (Punarnava) root extract against chemically-induced liver damage.
View study doi:10.1016/s0378-8741(96)01507-3
Safety & precautions
Generally safe; use under guidance in pregnancy or with diuretic medication.
Where it grows
Punarnava is a spreading herb of roadsides, waste ground and fields across the plains of India, especially abundant in the rainy season.
Frequently asked questions
What is Punarnava used for?
Oedema and fluid retention above all, and also kidney complaints, liver disease, anaemia, joint swelling and ascites. It is Ayurveda's principal diuretic and the lead drug of Punarnavadi Mandoor and Punarnavarishta.
What is the dose of Punarnava?
Root or whole plant powder 3–6 g per day, or decoction 40–80 ml twice daily. As Punarnavarishta, 15–30 ml with an equal quantity of water after meals.
Is Punarnava safe for the kidneys?
It is a classical kidney drug used for reduced urine output and oedema. But any established kidney disease needs proper medical management and monitoring — take medical advice before using a diuretic herb, particularly if you are already on diuretic medication.
Why is it called Punarnava?
The name means "that which renews" or "becomes new again". It is usually read as referring to its rejuvenative action, and also to the plant itself, which appears to die back in the dry season and revives with the rains.
Can Punarnava help with weight loss?
It reduces fluid retention, which is not the same as losing fat. Any weight lost is water and will return. It is genuinely useful for oedema; it is not a weight-loss drug and should not be used as one.
Who should avoid Punarnava?
Take medical advice if you have kidney disease, are on diuretic or blood pressure medication, or are dehydrated. Avoid in pregnancy. Its diuretic action can compound with prescribed diuretics and disturb electrolytes.
What is Punarnava called in Hindi?
Punarnava, Gadhapurna or Santhi. In English it is spreading hogweed or red spiderling. The white and red varieties are both used, with the red generally preferred.
