College of Ayurvedic Diet & Digestion

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AYURVEDIC HERB SUPPLEMENTS

Punarnava HERBAL POWDER (BOERHAAVIA DIFFUSA)

Rejuvenating heart tonic. Clears Kapha blood congestion and edema.

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1. Ayurvedic Perspective

2. Dosage & Suggested Use

3. Biocharacteristics & Herbal Actions

4. Similar foods and herbs

5. Impact: On tongue, nerves, elimination, etc.

6. Indications / Benefits

7. Contraindications / Aggravates

8. Comments and reviews

How Does This Ayurvedic Herb Supplement Improve Wellness?

CLINICAL AYURVEDIC REVIEW

Punarnava means new again. It is a key Kapha reducing herb that rejuvenates by eliminating excess water, reducing blood sugar, fat & cholesterol, and strengthening the heart. It has a mild taste.

By stimulating microcirculation it improves K arthritis.

Punarnava is a kidney, liver, and pancreas tonic as well as an adaptogen & immunomodulator. It is a balancing herb overall and will not significantly aggravate Vata.

Images of Punarnava

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Ayurveda Punarnava Fruit Large

Ayurveda Punarnava Flower Large

Ayurveda Punarnava Leaf Large

Ayurveda Punarnava Stem / Bark Large

Ayurveda Punarnava Root Large

Ayurveda Punarnava Harvested Large

Ayurveda Punarnava Monogram Large

SUGGESTED USE

1/8 - 1/4 tsp in warm water twice a day or as directed by your practitioner.

How should I take my herbs?
Follow these guidelines

Metabolic Nature of Punarnava

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

INCREASES Increases These Biocharacteristics (Gunas) Functional Ayurveda helps you assess imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating these characteristics weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which characteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct imbalances before you get sick. Every characteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite characteristic. Learn More	CLEAR ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama. LEARN MORE ABOUT CLEAR COLD ABOUT COLD BIOCHARACTERISTIC Cold refers to anything that reduces body temperature, metabolism, and blood flow. LEARN MORE ABOUT COLD DRY ABOUT DRY BIOCHARACTERISTIC Dry is identified by lack of moisture, lack of fat, or anything that causes diuresis. LEARN MORE ABOUT DRY LIGHT ABOUT LIGHT BIOCHARACTERISTIC Lightness is identified by reduced weight. LEARN MORE ABOUT LIGHT
TASTES The 6 Tastes Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below? Learn More	PUNGENT ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper. LEARN MORE ABOUT PUNGENT
DOSHAS The Three Doshas / Body Types According to the biocharacteristic theory of medicine, people tend to get sick, over and over again, due to habitual causes and imbalances that are unique to the person. Your body type summarizes this tendency, showing you the 'type' of conditions and imbalances that frequently challenge your health & wellness. Using body type, you can also identify remedies likely to improve your strength and resiliency. Your body type identifies physical and mental characteristics as well as your personal strengths and weaknesses. The calculation of your body type is based on your medical history. The 3 functional body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha). Catabolic individuals tend to break down body mass into energy. They are easily stimulated, hyperactive, underweight and dry. Metabolic individuals tend to burn or use energy. They tend to be rosy-cheeked, easily irritated, focused, driven, and easily inflamed. Anabolic individuals tend to store energy as body mass. If they store too much energy, they could gain weight easily and have congestion. Anabolic people tend to be stable and grounded. Learn More	PACIFIES
HAS THE FOLLOWING	Tissue (dhatu): Red Blood RED-BLOOD Red blood (Rakta Dhatu) includes red blood cells and blood vessels. SEE ALL 'RED-BLOOD' FOODS / HERBS Subdosha: Pitta Ranjaka, Vayu Prana, Vayu Vyana Affinity: Anti Aging ANTI-AGING Geriatric conditions typically involve low agni / metabolism, poor circulation, weakness & debility, muscle weakening, poor digestion, a drop in sex hormones, and connective tissue degradation in bones & skin. SEE ALL 'ANTI-AGING' FOODS / HERBS , Cleanse And Detox, Heart Circulation Blood, Kidney Bladder Urinary, Liver Gallbladder, Respiratory Health Family: Nyctaginaceae
HERBAL ACTIONS (see all)	Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Punarnava Experiences are Personal Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition. Digestion: Nauseating NAUSEATING Brings about feelings of unease and discomfort in the stomach, often accompanied with the involuntary urge to vomit. SEE ALL 'NAUSEATING' FOODS / HERBS , Digestive DIGESTIVE Herbs that encourage healthy digestion. SEE ALL 'DIGESTIVE' FOODS / HERBS , Emetic EMETIC An herb that causes vomiting and nausea. SEE ALL 'EMETIC' FOODS / HERBS Cleanse & Detox: Antilithic ANTILITHIC An herb that dissolves / breaks up stones (gallstones or kidney stones) so that it can be passed. SEE ALL 'ANTILITHIC' FOODS / HERBS , Internal Detoxicant INTERNAL-DETOXICANT Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system. SEE ALL 'INTERNAL-DETOXICANT' FOODS / HERBS Mind, Stress & Sleep: Nerve Relaxant Grounding NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING Encourages feelings of stability and heaviness. Makes you feel settled, mentally relaxed. Mildly sedates the nervous system to ease stress. Can bring a spacey or anxious person back to earth. Reduces agitation, irritation, stress and racing thoughts. SEE ALL 'NERVE-RELAXANT-GROUNDING' FOODS / HERBS , Stimulates Front Of Brain STIMULATES-FRONT-OF-BRAIN Creates a feeling of awareness or tension in the area in the forehead. Activates the frontal lobe - the area responsible for motor function, emotional expression, thinking, and decision making. SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-FRONT-OF-BRAIN' FOODS / HERBS Energy Vitality: Builds Stamina BUILDS-STAMINA Promotes strength, endurance and resistance in the body. Rebuilds weak tissues after a time of depletion. SEE ALL 'BUILDS-STAMINA' FOODS / HERBS , Stimulates Energy STIMULATES-ENERGY This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs. SEE ALL 'STIMULATES-ENERGY' FOODS / HERBS , Tonic TONIC A tonic herb restores function through strengthening tissue. This can happen through a combination of nourishing the tissue, and invigorating tissue metabolism. The tonic should not be withering, as in caffeine. SEE ALL 'TONIC' FOODS / HERBS Respiratory-Health: Antitussive ANTITUSSIVE Cough suppressant, particularly for dry coughs or a tickle in your throat. SEE ALL 'ANTITUSSIVE' FOODS / HERBS , Bronchodilator BRONCHODILATOR An herb that encourages the widening or opening of the lung airways. They are helpful in wheezing and asthma. SEE ALL 'BRONCHODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS , Lung Tonic LUNG-TONIC Strengthens the lungs. Lung tonics include antifibrotic, vessel tonic, or nourishing herbs with an affinity for the lungs. They aid recovery in acute or chronic lung conditions. SEE ALL 'LUNG-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS Immune System: Anti Inflammatory ANTI-INFLAMMATORY Reduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems. SEE ALL 'ANTI-INFLAMMATORY' FOODS / HERBS , Antimicrobial ANTIMICROBIAL An agent that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth. Antimicrobial is an umbrella term that can be broken down into specific categories of target microorganism, such as anti-bacterials, fungals, and virals. SEE ALL 'ANTIMICROBIAL' FOODS / HERBS , Antipoisonous ANTIPOISONOUS An antidote for a poison. Many anti-poisonous herbs draw out a poison and are good for insect bites. Others help burn it up. SEE ALL 'ANTIPOISONOUS' FOODS / HERBS Heart & Circulation: Cardiac Stimulant CARDIAC-STIMULANT Herbs that increase the heart rate. Useful in cardiovascular health, blood stagnation, and subjective feeling of heaviness in the chest area. SEE ALL 'CARDIAC-STIMULANT' FOODS / HERBS , Alterative ALTERATIVE Restores the proper function of the body by cleansing the blood and balancing blood chemistry. In Ayurveda terms, they pacify Pitta in rakta. They were traditionally used to revitalize and detoxify after a long winter. SEE ALL 'ALTERATIVE' FOODS / HERBS , Antioxidant ANTIOXIDANT An antioxidant is a molecule that inhibits oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that can produce free radicals that lead to a chain reaction causing damage or death to cells. Antioxidants terminate these oxidation reactions. SEE ALL 'ANTIOXIDANT' FOODS / HERBS , Blood Tonic BLOOD-TONIC An herb that produces more blood cells in the body, or otherwise improves blood cell quality or hemoglobin content. Helpful for anemia and other types of deficiency. SEE ALL 'BLOOD-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS , Cardiac Tonic CARDIAC-TONIC Strengthens and tones the heart (heart-tonic). Cardiac tonics are used to treat a wide range of heart issues from arrhythmia, to cardiac insufficiency. SEE ALL 'CARDIAC-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS , Hypertensive HYPERTENSIVE An herb that increases blood pressure. SEE ALL 'HYPERTENSIVE' FOODS / HERBS , Hypotensive HYPOTENSIVE An herb that lowers blood pressure. SEE ALL 'HYPOTENSIVE' FOODS / HERBS , Vasodilator VASODILATOR A vasodilator is an herb that widens the blood vessels by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, thereby increasing circulation systemically or to a local area. SEE ALL 'VASODILATOR' FOODS / HERBS Kidney & Urinary: Diuretic DIURETIC Herbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure. SEE ALL 'DIURETIC' FOODS / HERBS , Kidney Tonic KIDNEY-TONIC An herb that strengthens the kidneys. SEE ALL 'KIDNEY-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS , Urinary Tonic URINARY-TONIC An herb that tonifies and strengthens the urinary system. These can be helpful for urinary incontinence or improving function after a urinary tract infection. They can also strengthen the bladder to ward off a urinary tract infection. SEE ALL 'URINARY-TONIC' FOODS / HERBS , Warms Kidney WARMS-KIDNEY Warms the kidneys by increasing blood flow to the organ. SEE ALL 'WARMS-KIDNEY' FOODS / HERBS Liver & Gallbladder: Cholagogue CHOLAGOGUE Cholagogues stimulate the production & release of bile from the liver & gallbladder. This refreshes and cleanses these organs, as well as increases bile in the small intestines. SEE ALL 'CHOLAGOGUE' FOODS / HERBS Weight Loss: Hypolipidemic HYPOLIPIDEMIC Scrapes fats / cleanses blood vessels by 1) purging bile, 2) strengthening the liver's ability to metabolize fats, 3) by increasing uptake of cholesterol in the liver, and 4) by inhibiting fat cells. SEE ALL 'HYPOLIPIDEMIC' FOODS / HERBS , Lowers Blood Sugar LOWERS-BLOOD-SUGAR An herb that lowers blood sugar. SEE ALL 'LOWERS-BLOOD-SUGAR' FOODS / HERBS Reproductive Health: Builds Semen BUILDS-SEMEN Herbs that increase the production of semen, often by rebuilding fluids in general. SEE ALL 'BUILDS-SEMEN' FOODS / HERBS , Promotes Virility PROMOTES-VIRILITY Encourages virility and potency. SEE ALL 'PROMOTES-VIRILITY' FOODS / HERBS Strength, Muscle Health: Antispasmodic ANTISPASMODIC Herbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, menstruation, hear palpitations, migraine, or IBS. SEE ALL 'ANTISPASMODIC' FOODS / HERBS Constituents: Iron IRON Iron is necessary for the transport of oxygen in red blood cells. SEE ALL 'IRON' FOODS / HERBS

Foods with a Similar Nature to Punarnava

Mustard

Mustard has these Actions in Common

Antimicrobial, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Nauseating, Stimulates-front-of-brain, Antispasmodic, Cardiac-tonic, Emetic, Promotes-virility, Vasodilator, Bronchodilator, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy

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Mustard Powder

Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common

Stimulates-energy, Antimicrobial, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Nauseating, Stimulates-front-of-brain, Antispasmodic, Cardiac-tonic, Emetic, Promotes-virility, Vasodilator, Bronchodilator, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant

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Mustard Seed

Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common

Antispasmodic, Cardiac-tonic, Emetic, Promotes-virility, Vasodilator, Bronchodilator, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Antimicrobial, Cardiac-stimulant, Diuretic, Nauseating, Stimulates-front-of-brain

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Turmeric

Turmeric has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Antioxidant, Blood-tonic, Hypolipidemic, Vasodilator, Anti-inflammatory, Antipoisonous, Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Antimicrobial, Antispasmodic, Digestive, Lowers-blood-sugar

LEARN MORE

Stinging Nettles

Stinging Nettles has these Actions in Common

Antilithic, Diuretic, Lung-tonic, Urinary-tonic, Alterative, Blood-tonic, Internal-detoxicant, Promotes-virility, Anti-inflammatory, Builds-stamina, Kidney-tonic, Tonic

LEARN MORE

Dandelion Leaves

Dandelion Leaves has these Actions in Common

Anti-inflammatory, Cholagogue, Hypolipidemic, Stimulates-energy, Antimicrobial, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Antioxidant, Diuretic, Lowers-blood-sugar

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Turmeric Root (Fresh)

Turmeric Root (Fresh) has these Actions in Common

Anti-inflammatory, Antipoisonous, Digestive, Lowers-blood-sugar, Antimicrobial, Blood-tonic, Hypolipidemic, Alterative, Antioxidant, Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant

LEARN MORE

Celery Seed

Celery Seed has these Actions in Common

Antispasmodic, Diuretic, Lowers-blood-sugar, Anti-inflammatory, Cardiac-stimulant, Hypotensive, Vasodilator, Antilithic, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant

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Caraway Seeds

Caraway Seeds has these Actions in Common

Antimicrobial, Bronchodilator, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Cardiac-stimulant, Lung-tonic, Antitussive, Digestive, Stimulates-energy

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Carrot

Carrot has these Actions in Common

Antilithic, Cholagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Antioxidant, Diuretic, Lung-tonic, Alterative, Blood-tonic, Hypotensive, Tonic

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Nigella (black cumin)

Nigella (black cumin) has these Actions in Common

Cardiac-stimulant, Hypotensive, Stimulates-energy, Anti-inflammatory, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Diuretic, Lowers-blood-sugar

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Herb Supplements with a Similar Nature to Punarnava

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common

Anti-inflammatory, Internal-detoxicant, Antimicrobial, Lung-tonic, Antispasmodic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Blood-tonic, Stimulates-energy, Bronchodilator, Stimulates-front-of-brain, Cardiac-stimulant, Vasodilator, Diuretic, Warms-kidney, Hypolipidemic

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Breath of Fire / Shining Skull (Kapalbhati Pranayama)

Breath of Fire / Shining Skull (Kapalbhati Pranayama) has these Actions in Common

Blood-tonic, Promotes-virility, Builds-stamina, Stimulates-energy, Cardiac-stimulant, Stimulates-front-of-brain, Cardiac-tonic, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Lowers-blood-sugar, Antispasmodic, Lung-tonic

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Bellows Breath (Bhastrika Pranayama)

Bellows Breath (Bhastrika Pranayama) has these Actions in Common

Cardiac-tonic, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Lowers-blood-sugar, Antispasmodic, Lung-tonic, Blood-tonic, Promotes-virility, Builds-stamina, Stimulates-energy, Cardiac-stimulant, Stimulates-front-of-brain

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Belly breathing

Belly breathing has these Actions in Common

Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Lowers-blood-sugar, Antispasmodic, Lung-tonic, Blood-tonic, Promotes-virility, Builds-stamina, Stimulates-energy, Cardiac-stimulant, Cardiac-tonic, Digestive

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Breathing Exercises

Breathing Exercises has these Actions in Common

Alterative, Lowers-blood-sugar, Antispasmodic, Lung-tonic, Blood-tonic, Promotes-virility, Builds-stamina, Stimulates-energy, Cardiac-stimulant, Cardiac-tonic, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant

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Hawthorne Berry & Flower

Hawthorne Berry & Flower has these Actions in Common

Antioxidant, Tonic, Builds-stamina, Vasodilator, Cardiac-tonic, Digestive, Diuretic, Hypolipidemic, Anti-inflammatory, Hypotensive, Antilithic, Internal-detoxicant

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Eleuthero Ginseng

Eleuthero Ginseng has these Actions in Common

Anti-inflammatory, Lowers-blood-sugar, Antispasmodic, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Blood-tonic, Stimulates-energy, Builds-stamina, Tonic, Digestive, Hypolipidemic, Hypotensive, Internal-detoxicant

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Dong Quai

Dong Quai has these Actions in Common

Digestive, Antioxidant, Hypolipidemic, Antispasmodic, Hypotensive, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Blood-tonic, Vasodilator, Bronchodilator, Cardiac-stimulant, Anti-inflammatory

LEARN MORE

Amalaki

Amalaki has these Actions in Common

Anti-inflammatory, Promotes-virility, Antioxidant, Stimulates-energy, Blood-tonic, Tonic, Builds-semen, Cardiac-tonic, Digestive, Internal-detoxicant, Alterative, Lowers-blood-sugar

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Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha has these Actions in Common

Antispasmodic, Urinary-tonic, Blood-tonic, Builds-semen, Builds-stamina, Diuretic, Alterative, Nerve-relaxant-grounding, Anti-inflammatory, Promotes-virility, Antioxidant, Tonic

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Impact of Punarnava

In each clinical research trial below, students from the Joyful Belly School of Ayurveda ate the selected food for 3 days and reported the pharmacological effects. See other clinical research trials for diet & herbs at Joyful Belly.