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Boerhavia diffusa - Punarnava
Punarnava is a species of flowering plant in the four o'clock family which is commonly known as punarnava (meaning that which rejuvenates or renews the body in Ayurveda),[1] red spiderling, spreading hogweed, or tarvine. It is taken in herbal medicine for pain relief and other uses. The leaves of B. diffusa are often used as a green vegetable in many parts of India.
Description
Boerhavia diffusa is widely dispersed, occurring throughout India, the Pacific, and southern United States. This wide range is explained by its small fruit, which are very sticky and grow a few inches off the ground, ideally placed to latch on to small migratory birds as they walk by.
Punarnava is widely used as a green leafy vegetable in many Asian and African countries. B. diffusa can be used as a fodder for livestock, but has the potential for contaminating seed stocks, and may harbor pathogens for certain crops, such as eggplants.
Uses
The herb has other benefits like:
- Helps in maintaining the functioning of the kidney
- Maintains health of the urinary tract
- It helps in improving the liver functioning and also the respiratory health
- It supports the body’s ability to expel the fluids from the body
- It the best known natural management for relieving the problem of weight loss.
Common name
- English - Red spiderling
- Kannada - ಕೊಮ್ಮೆ
- Hindi - वर्षाभू
