Evidence supporting the use of: Boerhavia diffusa
For the health condition: Anemia
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Boerhavia diffusa, commonly known as Punarnava, has traditional use in Ayurvedic and other folk medicine systems for a variety of ailments, including as a general tonic and for supporting blood health. In Ayurvedic medicine, Punarnava is often included in formulations intended to rejuvenate the body and address "rakta" (blood) disorders, and it is sometimes suggested for conditions associated with anemia. The plant is believed to have hematinic (blood-enhancing) properties, though these claims are largely based on traditional practice and textual references rather than robust scientific validation.
Scientific studies specifically assessing Boerhavia diffusa for anemia are limited. A few preclinical (animal) studies have indicated that extracts of the plant may have some hematopoietic activity, potentially increasing hemoglobin and red blood cell counts in laboratory models. However, these findings are preliminary, and there are no well-designed clinical trials in humans that confirm its efficacy or safety for treating anemia. The active constituents thought to contribute to these effects include alkaloids, flavonoids, and other phytochemicals, but their mechanisms and clinical significance remain unclear.
In summary, the use of Boerhavia diffusa for anemia is primarily justified by traditional use, with only low-level scientific evidence (from animal studies) to suggest possible benefits. More rigorous human studies are needed to substantiate its role in managing anemia.
Other ingredients used for Anemia
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamineAbalone
Abrus
Achyranthes
Adzuki bean
Aerva lanata
Agrimonia pilosa
Ajuga
Alchornea
Alfalfa
Algae
Algal protein
Allium tuberosum
amaranth
amino acids
anchovies
Angelica
animal protein
animal Tissue
apple
Ardisia
ashwagandha
aster root
Asteraceae
astragaloside
astragalus
Auricularia
Autumn Olive
Baccharoides anthelmintica
bael
banana
baobab
bean
bee pollen
bee products
beef
Beef liver
Beef Protein
beet
bermuda grass
berry
Bidens pilosa
biota seed
bird\'s nest
black cumin
black gram
black nightshade
blackberry
blackboard tree
Blepharis
Blue-Green Alage
Boerhavia diffusa
bok choy
Bombax
bone marrow
Borassus aethiopum
borassus palm
bovine
bovine liver
bovine protein
bovine spleen
breadnut
broad bean
broccoli
Brussel sprouts
Buckwheat
buffalo
Butea monosperma
butternut
C-phycocyanin
Caesalpinia crista
canihua
capillary artemisia
cashew
cassava
caterpillar mushroom
catjang cowpea
Celosia
cereal grass
chard
chestnut
chickpea protein
chlorella
Chlorophytum
cistanche
Citrus
coconut milk
Codonopsis
collard
cordyceps
cowpea
cumin
Curcuma
currant
Cyathula
Cynomorium
cytokines
date
deer root
dehydroascorbic acid
dodder
dog rose
Dolichos
dong quai
dong quai root
dragon fruit
dulse
dulse leaf
Eclipta
egg
Embelia
empresstree
Eupolyphaga sinensis
European five-finger grass
Fagopyrum
ferric ammonium citrate
ferric citrate
ferric orthophosphate
ferritin
fig
fish
fish protein
fo-ti
folate
folic acid
folinic acid
Foxtail millet
fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit
fu ling
fulvic acid
ganoderma
garbanzo bean
garden cress
ginger
ginseng
Ginsenosides
goji berry
gooseberry
greens blend (proprietary)
Helicteres isora
herbal blend (proprietary)
hibiscus
hijiki
Histidine
horse gram
Huang hua
hyacinth bean
Hygrophila
Ilex
Indian coraltree
Indian tinospora
intrinsic factor
iron
jujube
jungli-bean
kale
kidney beans
kiwi
Kokilaksha
l-5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine salt (5-MTHF)
Labisia pumila
Lactoferrin
Land Cress
Laver
Legume protein
lemon
Lentil
Lentinula edodes mycelia
Leptadenia
licorice root
lingzhi
liquid liver fractions
little ironweed
longan
Loranthus
lotus seed
lucuma
Lycium
maca
Marine protein
Methylcobalamin
Microcos
Millet
millet seed
Mineral ascorbate
Molasses
Momordica
Morinda
Moringa
Morus
Mugwort
Mulberry
Mung bean
Nettle
Nigella seed
Nori
nut grass
oat
Onosma bracteatum
orange
oyster mushroom
Palmyra
parsley
paw paw
peony
Persimmon
Phaeophyceae
Phosphate ascorbate
Phycocyanin
Phyllanthus
Physalis angulata
Plankton
plantain
plum fruit
pollen
Polygonatum
pomegranate
pomelo
Portulaca
protein
Prunus
pumpkin
punarnava
purslane
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
quail egg
quinoa
Rehmannia
rehmannia glutinosa
reishi mushroom
rhizome
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
root tuber
Rosa roxburghii
royal jelly
Rubia cordifolia
Rubia yunnanensis
Rubiaceae
Rubus
Rumex acetosa
seaweed
sesame
Sesbania
shen-chu
shepherd's purse
shiitake mushroom
Shilajit
Sicklepod
Solanum anguivi
soybean
spinach
spirulina
Stellaria dichotoma
Stereospermum
suma
Tamarind
Taraxacum
Taxillus chinensis
Tayuya
Terminalia
Thaumatococcus daniellii
Tinospora cordifolia
trace minerals
Trichosanthes
Triphala
Tropical jewel hisbiscus
Vegetable Protein
vitamin A
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
Wakame
Watercress
wheat germ
wheat grass
Wulinshen
Yeast
Yellow Dock
Zinc
Zucchini
Other health conditions supported by Boerhavia diffusa
Abdominal PainAbrasions
Abscesses
Acid Indigestion
Anal Fistula or Fissure
Anemia
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Asthma
Backache
Bedwetting
Bladder Infection
Bleeding (external)
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Burns and Scalds
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cholesterol (high)
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
Circulation (poor)
Cirrhosis of the Liver
Colds (general)
Colic (children)
Constipation (adults)
Cough (general)
Diabetes
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dysmenorrhea
Dyspepsia
Eczema
Edema
Epilepsy
Fatigue
Fever
Gall Bladder (sluggish or removed)
Gastritis
Glaucoma
Gonorrhea
Gout
