Medicinal Plants : Boerhavia diffusa

Name

Red Hogweed

Biological Name

Boerhavia diffusa, Boerhavia procumbens, Boerhavia repens
Nyctaginaceae

Other Names

Red Hogweed, Spreading Hogweed, Beshakapore, Lal Punarvava, Punarvava, Raktpunarnava (red)
Punarnanava, Thazhuthama

Parts Used

Herb, root

Remedies For

Action

bitter, diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic, expectorant, laxative, rejuvenative, stomachic

Root- anthelmintic, febrifuge, purgative

Uses

Red

(chronic) alcoholism
asthma
edema
eye diseases
heart disease
hemorrhoids
insomnia
jaundice
kidney stones
nervous system disorders
rat and snake bites
rheumatism
skin diseases
urethritis
wasting diseases

White

All the actions of the read mentioned above plus

anemia
cough
intestinal colic
kidney disorders

The decoction of the root is taken as a remedy in rheumatism, impure blood, cough, asthma, hernia, dropsy, chest-pain, piles, and swellings. It is also used for gonorrhea, and internal inflammations.

Description

This herb is found in India. This is one of the prized ayurvedic herbs.

It contains an alkaloid punarnavine. The herb is a diuretic that acts on the glomeruli of the kidney through increasing the heart-beats and strengthening and raising the blood pressure as a result.

Dosage

Juice, decoction, infusion, powder, paste, oil, sugar water, or honey paste.

Safety

No information about the safety of this herb is available. Use caution. Ayurvedic herbs are often taken in combination with others to neutralize the toxicity one herb with the opposing effect of other. Do not take except under the supervision of a qualified professional.