Synopsis

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

Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa) is a well-known herb in Ayurvedic and other traditional medicine systems, where it is valued for its anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and hepatoprotective properties. Its use in the management of Inflammatory Bowel Disorders (IBD), such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, is primarily rooted in traditional practice. Ayurvedic texts describe punarnava as beneficial for “grahani” (a term often interpreted as malabsorption syndrome or chronic diarrhea), which shares some symptomatic overlap with IBD. The herb is often included in classical formulations aimed at reducing inflammation and balancing digestive function.

There is limited scientific evidence supporting punarnava’s effectiveness specifically for IBD. Some preclinical studies indicate that punarnava possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects, which could be relevant to the pathophysiology of IBD. For example, extracts of Boerhavia diffusa have been shown in animal models to reduce markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in the gut. However, robust clinical trials in humans with IBD are lacking, and the evidence is not yet sufficient to justify its use based on modern scientific standards. Therefore, while punarnava’s use for IBD is justified by tradition and some promising preclinical data, high-quality clinical research is needed to confirm its efficacy and safety for this indication.

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Nature's Sunshine Joint Health (Ayurvedic)