Biological Name: Boerhavia diffusa, Boerhavia procumbens, Boerhavia repens

Family: Nyctaginaceae

Other Names: Thazhuthama, Red Hogweed, Punarnanava, Spreading Hogweed, Raktpunarnava (red), Beshakapore, Punarvava, Lal Punarvava

Additional Info: The herb is indigenous to India. It is highly appreciated in Ayurvedic medicine.

The plant is reach in punarnavine alkaloid. It produces a diuretic effect, triggering kidney gloumeruli by inducing heart functionality and providing a sufficient blood flow to the area, as well as increasing arterial tension.

Elements Applied: Root and herb are commonly applied in herbal medicine.

Used for: The remedy is applied for stimulating stomach, rejuvenating the system, fighting constipation, inducing expectoration and vomiting, boosting perspiration and urination.

The root is specifically applied for reducing fevers, cleansing the bowel, and killing intestine helminthes.

The list of diseases cure by red hogweed is as follows: wasting diseases, urethritis, skin diseases, rheumatism, snake and rat bites, nervous system conditions, kidney stones, jaundice, insomnia, hemorrhoids, heart disease, eye diseases, edema, asthma, and alcoholism, even in chronic form.

White hogweed is potent of treating the above mentioned diseases, in addition to the following ones: kidney diseases, bowel colic, cough, and anemia.

Root decoction is applied for treating swellings, hemorrhoids, chest pains, dropsy, hernia, asthma, cough, blood impurities, and rheumatism.

Preparation and Intake: The remedy is applied in form of honey paste, sugar water, oil, paste, powder, infusion, decoction, and juice.

Safety: There is no data concerning the plant’s safety level. Exercise care. Herbs applied in Ayurvedic medicine are commonly mixed with other herbal remedies in order to reduce the harmful effect one of them may produce on the body. Not recommended to use without medical control.