Boerhavia diffusa
Encyclopedia
Boerhavia diffusa is a species of flowering plant in the four o'clock family
which is commonly known as tar vine, punarnava meaning that which rejuvenates or renews the body, or red spiderling. It is taken in herbal medicine for pain relief and other uses. The leaves of Boerhavia diffusa are often used as a green vegetable in many parts of India. It is believed to improve and protect eyesight. Boerhavia diffusa has diuretic properties and is used by diabetics to lower blood sugar.
, the Pacific, and southern United States
. This wide range is explained by its small fruit, which are very sticky and grow a few inches off the ground, ideally placed to latch on to small migratory birds as they walk by.
Punarnavine, an alkaloid isolated from Boerhaavia diffusa has been shown in vitro
anticancer, antiestrogenicantiamoebic and immunomodulatory activity
Nyctaginaceae
Nyctaginaceae, the Four O'Clock Family, is a family of around 33 genera and 290 species of flowering plants, widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions, with a few representatives in temperate regions...
which is commonly known as tar vine, punarnava meaning that which rejuvenates or renews the body, or red spiderling. It is taken in herbal medicine for pain relief and other uses. The leaves of Boerhavia diffusa are often used as a green vegetable in many parts of India. It is believed to improve and protect eyesight. Boerhavia diffusa has diuretic properties and is used by diabetics to lower blood sugar.
Description
B. diffusa is widely dispersed, occurring throughout IndiaIndia
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, the Pacific, and southern United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. This wide range is explained by its small fruit, which are very sticky and grow a few inches off the ground, ideally placed to latch on to small migratory birds as they walk by.
Medical uses
Boerhaavia diffusa has shown antibacterial activity, mainly against Gram-negative bacteria, Extracts of Boerhaavia diffusa leaves showed antioxidant and hepatoprotective properties in pharmacological models.Punarnavine, an alkaloid isolated from Boerhaavia diffusa has been shown in vitro
In vitro
In vitro refers to studies in experimental biology that are conducted using components of an organism that have been isolated from their usual biological context in order to permit a more detailed or more convenient analysis than can be done with whole organisms. Colloquially, these experiments...
anticancer, antiestrogenicantiamoebic and immunomodulatory activity
External links
- Tropical Plant Database
- Boerhavia diffusa on ibiblio Contains a detailed monograph on Boerhavia diffusa (Punarnava) as well as a discussion of health benefits and usage in clinical practice. Available online at http://www.toddcaldecott.com/index.php/herbs/learning-herbs/323-punarnava