Abstract
Boerhaavia diffusa is the most important herb for the life, commonly known as Punarnava in Sanskrit,
is an herbaceous plant of the family Nyctaginaceae. The whole plant or its specific parts (leaves, stem,
and roots) are known to have medicinal properties and have a long history of use by indigenous and
tribal people in India. The medicinal value of this plant in the treatment of a large number of human
ailments is mentioned in Ayurveda, Charaka Samhita, and Sushruta Samhita. It has many
ethanobotanical uses (the leaves are used as vegetable; the root juice is used to cure asthma, urinary
disorders, leukorrhea, rheumatism, and encephalitis), and is medicinally used in the traditional,
Ayurvedic system.