Evidence supporting the use of: Boerhavia diffussa
For the health condition: Constipation (adults)

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Boerhavia diffusa, commonly known as "Punarnava," has a long history of use in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for various ailments, including constipation. In Ayurvedic texts, Punarnava is described as a herb with mild laxative properties and is often included in polyherbal formulations intended to relieve constipation and support digestive health. The root is considered to have "Virechana" (purgative) action, believed to help clear bowel obstructions and promote regularity.

However, scientific validation for its use in treating constipation in adults is limited. While a few preclinical studies have explored the effects of Boerhavia diffusa on gastrointestinal motility, these are mostly animal-based and do not provide strong, direct evidence for efficacy in humans. Human clinical trials specifically assessing its laxative effects are lacking. The phytochemical constituents, such as alkaloids and flavonoids, have been suggested to contribute to its traditional purgative action, but mechanistic insights remain sparse.

In summary, the use of Boerhavia diffusa for constipation is primarily justified by traditional usage, with minimal scientific investigation and weak supporting evidence. Its popularity in herbal medicine persists due to its historical role rather than robust clinical validation.

More about Boerhavia diffussa
More about Constipation (adults)

Other ingredients used for Constipation (adults)

Aloe vera
apple
apricot
asparagus
bacillus coagulans
bacillus subtilis
barley
basil
beet
myrobalan
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium breve
bifidobacterium infantis
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
bio ecolian (proprietary)
black cumin
black currant
black pepper
radish
blackberry
broccoli
bupleurum falcatum
burdock
bасора
carrot
cauliflower
celery
chamomile
chia seed
chicory
chlorella
cinnamon
clove
coconut milk
cowage seed
cucumber
turmeric
d-sorbitol
dandelion
dog rose
melon
fennel
fiber blend (proprietary)
flaxseed
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
fruit blend (proprietary)
ginger
ginseng
gooseberry
green banana
onion
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
guar gum
cellulose
Indian gum arabic tree
Indian tinospora
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
jujube
kale
kudzu
lactobacillus acidophilus
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus bulgaricus
lactobacillus casei
lactobacillus fermentum
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus paracasei
lactiplantibacillus plantarum
lactobacillus reuteri
lactobacillus rhamnosus
lactobacillus salivarius
lemon
licorice root
lovage
magnesium
mango
mannitol
moringa
nettle
oat
ophiopogon root
orange
parsley
pear
pectin
perilla
pineapple
plantain
plum fruit
pomegranate
potato starch
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
butyric acid
prune
psyllium
pumpkin
quail egg
raspberry
redcurrant
rhizome
rhubarb root
slippery elm bark
sorbitol
sphaeranthus indicus
spinach
streptococcus thermophilus
thyme
tomato
triphala
Almond fruit
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vegetable blend (proprietary)
seaweed
watercress
watermelon
xylooligosaccharides
cascara sagrada
tangerine
cardamom
atractylodes
papaya
mugwort
Indian bael
neem tree
nut grass
alpinia galangal
anise
punarnava
tinospora cordifolia
caesalpinia crista
swertia
peony
Szechuan lovage
morus
lemongrass
sunflower
root tuber
flowering quince
dioscorea
ganoderma
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
morinda
trichosanthes
zanthoxylum
polyphenols
caraway
purslane
senna
aster root
peach
noni
nopal
goji berry
paw paw
millet seed
Algae
indigo leaves
enzymes blend (proprietary)
cayenne pepper
soursop
sea salt
Agar
Apple Cider Vinegar
Actinidin
Agastache
Anthraquinone
Ardisia
Angelica
Acacia
Auricularia
Amomum
Avocado
Alexandrian senna
Aloin
Aerva lanata
Asam gelugor
Asteracea
Arabinoxylan
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Atractylone
Black Seed
Bifidobacterium
Buttermilk
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Baliospermum
Bidens pilosa
Broussonetia
Brassica
Bishop's Weed
Belleric myrobalan
Bran
Butea monosperma
Bitter Grass
Bael
Bean
Butternut
Baccharoides anthelmintica
black salt
Bifidobacterium animalis
Bee products
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Bitter principals
Bacteria
banana
Baobab
Bifidobacteria
Bacillus
Bassia scoparia
Boerhavia diffusa
Bottle gourd
Borneol
Cumin
Coconut
Chinese Silkvine
Curry leaf
California chia
Cinnamomum
Cascaroside
Cucurbita
coconut oil
Coriander
Cactus
Cynomorium
Cape Aloe
Citrus
Cantaloupe
Cereal grass
Chinese Raisintree
Cruciferous
Cyclanthera pedata
Curcumen
Chard
Chenopodium
Curcuma
Cabbage
Chirata
Clostridium butyricum
Castor Oil
Carthamus
Colocynth
Celosia
Currant
Chondrus
Dianthus
Dextrin
Dragonhead
Dianthrone
Dwarf Morning Glory
Date
Dulse
Emblicanin
Endive
Embelia
Emodin
Fig
Fruit
Fiber
Fumitory
Flavonoids
Frangula
Ficus simplicissima
Fructan
Guava
Galactomannan
gum
Galactooligosaccharides
Glucofrangulin
Galangal
hemicellulose
Hygrophila
Honey
hydroxyanthracene derivatives
Helicteres isora
Ilex
Long Pepper
Indian Kinotree
Jalap
Jungli-bean
Konjac
Kokilaksha
Kiwi
Karaya Gum
Kohlrabi
Kefir
Lycium
Loquat
Lactitol
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus pentosus
Lactobacillus kefiri
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Ligustilides
Luffa
Lodhtree
Lotus
Lycopodium
Lactobacillus johnsonii
Lactobacillus
Ligusticum
Molasses
methylcellulose
Mandarin
Mucilage
Momordica
Microcos
Natsudaidai
Nigella Seed
Nymphaea nouchali
Ophiopogon
Oroxylum indicum
Oligosaccharides
Onosma bracteatum
Operculina turpethum
Osmanthus
Oxystelma
Phellodendron
Phyllanthus
Phaeophyceae
Polysaccharides
Pagoda Tree
Plantago
Prunus
Phosphate Salt
Probiotics
Peucedanum
Pyrrosia
Piper retrofractum
Pointed gourd
portulaca
Prickly Pear Cactus
Polygonatum
Persimmon
Polygonum
Quince
Quisqualis
Rubus
Red Currant
Rockweed
Rubiaceae
Rose
Rhus coriaria
Rumex acetosa
Rhamnus Nakaharai
Rhubarb
Ricinoleic acid
Sennosides
Sichuan Lovage
Sicklepod
Sete sangrias
Salvia
Southern Tsangshu
Solanum indicum
Slippery Elm
Spelt
Sterculia
Stereospermum
Sumac
Sargassum
Terminalia
Tea
Taraxacin
Tamaricaceae
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Tiger Nut
Tamarind
Taraxacum
Taraxol
Ulmus
Vinegar
Varuna
Violet
Vidanga
Wax Gourd
Wheat
Wulinshen
Yerba buena
Yacon
Yellow Dock
Zucchini
Zedoary
Zingerone

Products containing Boerhavia diffussa

We currently have no products on Caring Sunshine that contain this ingredient.