An overview of the medicinal significance of boerhaavia diffusa

Boerhaavia diffusa, commonly known as Punarnava, belongs to the genus Boerhaavia L. of the family Nyctaginaceae. Punarnava contains a variety of chemical components, including lipids, steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, and triterpenoids. The chief constituents are alkaloids like Punarnavine, Rotenoid-boeravinone, Punarnavoside, Ursolic acid, and lignans such as Liriodendrin. The medicinal significance of Punarnavine reveals that it has been used in Ayurvedic herbal therapy to treat a wide range of ailments. The root is primarily used to cure gonorrhea, abdominal pain, liver diseases, gallbladder issues, kidney problems, anemia, edema, jaundice, and menstrual disorders.