REVIEW ON PUNARNAVA (BOERHAAVIA DIFFUSA LINN.) AS A RASAYANA DRAVYA: AN AYURVEDIC AND SCIENTIFIC PERSPECTIVE

Ayurveda emphasizes Rasayana Chikitsa as a specialized branch dedicated to promoting longevity, improving immunity, delaying ageing, and maintaining physical and mental well-being. Among the renowned Rasayana drugs, Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa Linn.) occupies a unique position due to its rejuvenating, restorative, and disease-preventive properties. The term Punarnava literally means "that which renews the body," reflecting its traditional use in restoring vitality and tissue health. Classical Ayurvedic texts such as Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, Ashtanga Sangraha, and Bhavaprakasha Nighantu describe Punarnava as Vayasthapana, Shothahara, Kasahara, and an important Rasayana drug.[1-5] Modern scientific investigations support these traditional claims by demonstrating hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, adaptogenic, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, and anticancer activities. Phytochemical studies have identified numerous bioactive compounds including punarnavine, boeravinones, lignans, flavonoids, rotenoids, alkaloids, steroids, and phenolic compounds, which collectively contribute to its pharmacological efficacy. Despite extensive experimental evidence, well-designed clinical studies evaluating the Rasayana effect of Punarnava remain limited. This review analyses the classical Ayurvedic concepts alongside contemporary pharmacological evidence to understand the Rasayana potential of Punarnava and highlights future research directions.[6-12]