Other Names: Spreading Hogweed, tarvine, Punarnava
is a species of flowering plant in the four o'clock family
Special Precautions of Boerhavia Diffusa
Benefits and uses of Boerhavia Diffusa are
Boerhaavia diffusa, a plant endemic from India, has been used since ancient times in Ayurvedic treatments, mainly for its laxative, purgative (mainly its root), diuretic and expectorant properties and as a natural ayurvedic medicine against gastrointestinal disorders such as colorectal cancer, gastric ulcer, and inflammatory bowel disease.
- is believed to improve and protect eyesight.
- diuretic properties
- used by diabetics to lower blood sugar.
- antibacterial activity, mainly against Gram-negative bacteria.
- Extracts of B. diffusa leaves have shown antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties in pharmacological models.
- Cancer : Punarnavine (an alkaloid isolated from B. diffusa) has shown some in vitro anticancer, antiestrogenic, immunomodulatory and antiamoebic activity (particularly against Entamoeba histolytica). One of its active constituents, a rotenoid (a naturally occurring substance related to the isoflavones which have been shown anti-cancer properties in vitro studies done on breast cancer cells.
- a source of antioxidants
- may be effective against arsenic trioxide (an effective drug used against acute promyelocytic leukemia) induced cardio toxicity.
- possess cardioprotective properties