UNLOCKING THE MEDICINAL POTENTIAL OF PUNARNAVA: A CONCEPTUAL REVIEW OF BOERHAAVIA DIFFUSA LINN.

Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa Linn.), a plant belonging to the Nyctaginaceae family, is a significant herb in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. It has been widely used to treat various disorders, with mentions of its therapeutic properties found in the Vedic, Samhita, and Nighantu periods. According to ethno botany, the leaves are eaten as vegetables and the root juice is used to treat rheumatism, asthma, leucorrhoea, encephalitis, and urinary problems. The Punarnava plant has numerous pharmacological activities, including anti-proliferative, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antitumor, anti-convulsant, hepatoprotective and anti-depressant activities. The plant contains various bioactive compounds, such as alkaloids, glycosides, flavonoids, steroids, and tannins which contribute to its therapeutic properties. This review aims to consolidate existing literature on the properties, pharmacological activities, and medicinal uses of Punarnava, providing insights into its therapeutic potential and scientific validation.