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Punarnava

Boerhavia diffusa

Also calledPunarnava (Sanskrit, 'renewer')

In older monographsBoerhaavia diffusa L. (alternative spelling)

A perennial herb of tropical and subtropical regions whose Sanskrit name, punarnava, means 'renewer'. Ayurveda uses its root as a rasayana and as a diuretic for oedema, kidney disease and liver complaints, and it is eaten as a vegetable in parts of Asia and Africa. Laboratory and animal studies are numerous, but the few human trials are small: in diabetic kidney disease it did not significantly reduce protein in the urine.

What it is used for

  • Listed in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and used as a nephroprotective herb (e.g. in Punarnavadi kvatha); root extracts protected rat kidneys from cisplatin and methotrexate injury. In a 6-month clinical study of 25 patients with diabetic nephropathy, B. diffusa did not significantly reduce urinary protein, whereas ramipril did.1,2,3

  • Used traditionally for jaundice and liver complaints; its flavonoid eupalitin-3-O-galactoside protected liver cells against carbon tetrachloride toxicity in laboratory and animal studies.1,4

  • In a trial of 50 people with newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis, adding B. diffusa extract to chemotherapy relieved cough in 80% at 4 weeks versus 52% of controls and fever sooner; a single small study.1

  • Fluid retention
    Traditional

    Ayurvedic and folk use as a diuretic for dropsy, ascites and swollen legs. The Ayurvedic preference for herbal diuretics to 'correct abnormal fluid dynamics' rests on tradition and animal studies.1

  • General tonic
    Traditional

    Used as a 'rasayana' rejuvenator in Ayurveda, believed to restore vitality and strengthen body and mind.1

How it is prepared

decoction

Root boiled in water, usually in multi-herb Ayurvedic decoctions such as Punarnavadi kvatha.

Fluid retention · Kidney disease

Amounts are as recorded by the named source, not a recommendation.

Safety

Pregnancy
Insufficient data
Breastfeeding
Insufficient data

Interactions with medicines

  • diuretics and blood-pressure medicinesMinorTheoretical additive diuretic effect; not studied clinically.
Interaction checker →

Do not use if

  • Kidney disease without medical supervision: it did not replace standard treatment in diabetic nephropathy, and herbal products may be contaminated with heavy metals

Toxicity

In mice and rats the oral LD50 of a leaf extract exceeded 2,000 mg/kg with no organ changes in subchronic studies; few formal toxicity studies exist.

In the healing traditions

  • Ayurveda

    Punarnava

    Rasayana (rejuvenative), diuretic, laxative, expectorant and stomachic; used for oedema, ascites, kidney and urinary complaints, jaundice, anaemia, abdominal pain and asthma. Ingredient of formulas such as Punarnavadi kvatha.

    Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I, Vol. I; Nadkarni (1976)

  • African traditional medicine

    Boerhavia diffusa

    Used as food and as a rejuvenating medicine among Asian and African peoples, and in Latin America.

Active compounds

boeravinones A–J
rotenoids; boeravinones G and H inhibited the BCRP/ABCG2 drug-efflux pump in lab studies
punarnavine
alkaloid; anti-angiogenic in cell and mouse studies
eupalitin-3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside
flavonoid glycoside with hepatoprotective activity in experimental models
punarnavoside, liriodendrin, β-ecdysone
phenolic, lignan and steroid constituents

History

Its Sanskrit name punarnava, 'that which renews', reflects its role as a rasayana in Ayurveda. Nadkarni (1976) recorded it as emetic, expectorant, diaphoretic, laxative and diuretic, and it remains a staple of Ayurvedic kidney and oedema formulas.

Sources

  1. 1.Das S et al. Ethnomedicinal values of Boerhaavia diffusa L. as a panacea against multiple human ailments: a state of art review. Front Chem 2023
  2. 2.Niharika et al. A comprehensive review on indigenous therapeutic approaches in kidney care using Ayush medicine. Front Pharmacol 2025
  3. 3.Dinesh Kumar R et al. Protective role of Boerhavia diffusa root extract in methotrexate-induced renal injury. BMC Complement Med Ther 2026 (abstract)
  4. 4.Aldawsari HM et al. Eupalitin 3-O-β-D-galactopyranoside in Boerhavia diffusa for hepatoprotective and immunomodulatory activity. Sci Rep 2026 (abstract)
  5. 5.Kumar S, Singh B. Boerhavia diffusa L.: integrative traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacological properties and quality control. Chem Biodivers 2026 (abstract)

Reference, not prescription. Nothing here is medical advice. Herbs can interact with medicines and be dangerous in pregnancy; tell your doctor or pharmacist about anything you take.