Traditional medicinal knowledge about useful herb Punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa, family Nyctaginaceae) in Chhattisgarh Plains, India

Research Note - Pankaj Oudhia
© 2001,2002,2003 Pankaj Oudhia - All Rights Reserved

The traditional healers of Chhattisgarh Plains are aware of medicinal properties and use of all parts of this useful herb but they use the rootsmost frequently. According to the healers, this herb have potential torejuvenate the diseased human body. It is one of the promising tonics that works when all other herbs fail. The traditional healers also use it as Panacea. The decoction of roots is valuable both for the natives andtraditional healers. The traditional healers of Rajnandgaon region , add more herbs with Punarnava roots to prepare the decoction. But they are aware that alone Punarnava roots are capable to treat many complicated diseases.

In nature, according to the healers , after completing flowering and fruiting, it dries and in favourable season, the greeniness again come in dried parts and it becomes new herb with new vigour (Punar-Re; Nava-New). Through this regrowth the Punarnava wants to tell the human beings that it is capable of curing the patients at last stage of life, successfully. Few weeks back when the terror of new pneumonia-like virus spread all over the world, I contacted the traditional healers of Chhattisgarh and also searched my field diaries. I have found this herb very promising. I collected lot of information from net about this disease and after translating it in regional languages, explained it to the healers. They are also of same opinion that the roots of Punarnavacan play a vital role both as preventive and in treatment. According to the healers, the unaffected persons living in affected areas must take the decoction of Punarnava once in a day in order to prevent the attack. This decoction can also be used as treatment and as per condition of the patients,after consultation with herb experts and Ayurveda doctors, this must be given.The healers further informed that one can keep the fresh root piece inside the mouth with Pan (Betel Vine), as preventive. Without any delay, I posted this important message among the members of Phyto medicine discussion group. In this message, I requested the group members to throw more light on this aspect and spread my message to the researchers around the world. I am expecting and praying that the traditional medicinal knowledge of our healers will be able to stop more deaths.

The Indian names of Punarnava
Languages/Regions/Countries	Names
1) Bengal	Punurnava
2) Gujarati	Vakhakhaparo, Dholia-saturdo
3) Marathi	Tambadivasu, Ghetuli
4) Tamil	Mukaratee-Kirei
5) Hindi, Sanskrit & Telugu	Punernava, Raktakunda, Shothaghni, Varshabhu
6) Kanarese	Kommegida
7) English	Hogweed

In my previous articles, I have written about the traditional uses of Punarnava roots in form of herbal Mala, in treatment of Jaundice. Its use to hasten the process of delivery is also mentioned inprevious articles. The English name of Punarnava is Hogweed. In reference literatures of Agricultural sciences, this herb is described as weed generally found in poorer soils. I have read many research papers on efficient chemical control of this so called unwanted plant in crop fields and wastelands. This is really shocking for me that there are many persons living on the earth,want to destroy the nature’s gift through lethal chemicals, that can also destroy the fragile ecosystem. Fortunately, the natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh do not consider it as weed. In Chhattisgarh, Punarnava occurs as wasteland herb and I have seen it in almost every corner of the state. The natives having no idea about its identification, purchase this herb from local herb shops and very frequently complaint about adulteration. Likeother medicinal Punarnava is also an important non-wood forest produce having routine demand in national and international drug markets. The farmers aware of its demand, collect the herb from crop fields and after drying, sell it to the local traders. It is a source of an additional income for them. Many traders purchase it in both fresh and dried form. They supply it to the traditional healers, living in areas where it is rare herb. The traditional healers living in Punarnava rich areas, use fresh herb for preparation of drugs. According to them, one must prefer fresh herb in treatment. Punarnavais also a popular Homoeopathic drug. There is a fair demand of different parts of this herb in Homoeopathy pharmacies. Locally it is known as Pathariabhaji, Santhi, Vishkhapra etc. but at national markets it is popularly knownas Punarnava. This herb is present in Chhattisgarh since generations. The rich traditional medicinal knowledge of natives and traditional healers clearly proves this fact.

In present article, I am describing the results of my ethnobotanical surveys conducted in Chhattisgarh plains few years back, but at first I am giving details about its botany and reported medicinal uses, I have noted from reference literatures. Botanically it is a diffuse herb; Rootslarge, fusiform; Stem prostrate or ascending; Leaf in unequal pairs at each node,1.3-2.0 cm sub-orbicular, green above, whitish beneath, margins undulate,pinkish; Flower in corymbose umbel, very small, funnel shaped, dark - pink or white; Fruit clavate, bluntly 5- ribbed, very glandular. The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh collect this herb in autumn season preferably. As medicine, Punarnava holds a reputed position in all systems of medicine in India. As medicine, roots, leaves and seeds are used most commonly. According to Ayurveda, Punarnava is bitter, cooling, astringent to bowels, and useful in treatment of biliousness, blood impurities, leucorrhoea,anaemia, inflammations, heart diseases, asthma etc. According to Unani system of medicine, leaves are appetiser and alexiteric and useful in ophthalmia, in pains of joints. Seeds are tonic, expectorant, carminative and useful in ophthalmia, in pains of joints. Seeds are tonic, expectorant, carminative and useful in lumbago, scabies. It purifies the blood also. Recent research studies have shown that Punarnava contains about 0.04 percent of alkaloids known as Puarnavine. It also contains about 6% of potassium nitrate, an oily substance and ursolic acid.

The natives and traditional healers of Chhattisgarh plains, use the decoction of Punarnava roots treatment of insomnia. They never suggest the patients to use it regularly. According to them its regular use up to a week is sufficient enough to cure the trouble completely. Like the roots of Punarnava, the traditional healers also use the herbal oil prepared from roots, in order to hasten the process of delivery. It is applied inside the vagina whereas roots are kept either in hairs or tied around the waist using red string. The natives use the roots whereas the healers use both roots and herbal oil for this specific purpose. The traditional healers of Nagri-Sihawa region specialised in treatment of fevers, boil the Punarnava roots and Bel (Aeglemarmelos) in cow milk and when one fourth quantity remains (of initial quantity), give it to the patients internally as treatment. It is common belief among the natives that by keeping the fresh roots with them they are safe from venomous creatures. They kept it in side the shoes. For this purpose, the natives take roots from the traditional healers. The healers collect the roots at specific time after performing prescribed worship ceremony. Many natives plant this herb in their home gardens in order to repel away the venomous creatures. This use is not mentioned in reference literatures. There is a need forscientific investigation. There is difference in opinions among the traditional healers whether fresh root is more useful or dried ones as repellent. Many healers informed me that the roots of more than a year are of no use. It loses its miracle properties. The traditional healers of Bagbahera region, specialised in treatment of dog-bite, use it with common herb Dhatura(Datura). The natives use the herbal oil prepared from Punarnava roots in case of joint pains, externally. The traditional healers are also aware of this use. They add some other herbs like Nirgundi(Vitex negundo) in this oil in order to make it more effective . The traditional healers of Pithora region use the roots in treatment of spleen related disease. In case of stomatitis,the traditional healers prepare a paste by rubbing the fresh roots in cow milk and apply it externally. As other promising and cheap alternatives are available, the healers less frequently use this combination. But from documentation point of view, it is an important information. In case of abscess of breasts, the healers prepare a paste by mixing the roots in whey(Mattha) and apply this paste externally on affected parts. According to them it is one of the promising treatments. The natives are not aware of this use.The traditional healers of Mudpar village, use the roots in different combinations in treatment of eye diseases. In case of severe itching, it is applied with milk in form of paste. To treat stye, it is applied with ghee,whereas to treat conjuctivitis it is used with Shahad (Honey). In treatment of Rataundhi (Night blindness) it is applied with seep (shell). According to the traditional healers engaged in this treatment, they have gained this unique knowledge from their forefathers and practicing it since generations. As you know, the natives of Chhattisgarh use over 150 common herbs as pot herbs and the traditional healers have in depth traditional knowledge about medicinal uses of these potherbs. The natives use the leaves of Punarnava as potherb.The natives add salt and spices, in it during cooking in order to make it tasty but according to the traditional healers it should be used without salt and spices, for medicinal purposes. The natives are aware that the regular use of this pot herb prevent the formation of renal calculi as well as flushes out the existing stones. The healers use it in treatment of dropsy commonly. The traditional healers of Durg region, informed me that the Punarnava herb as potherb is good heart tonic also.

Many of the above mentioned traditional uses have not been reported in reference literatures. I am proud to write that the traditional healers and natives have discovered these uses and its popularity among them clearly indicates that these uses are promising. My documentation surveys are in good progress. Very soon I will write more on this important herb. Thank you very much for reading the article.