Evidence supporting the use of: Boerhavia diffusa
For the body system: Hepatic System
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3
Boerhavia diffusa, commonly known as Punarnava, has a long history of use in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for supporting the hepatic (liver) system. In Ayurveda, Punarnava is regarded as a "liver tonic" and is often prescribed for jaundice, hepatitis, and other liver disorders. The plant is believed to have hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and detoxifying properties, and is used to promote bile flow and reduce liver congestion. Several classical Ayurvedic texts describe its role in managing "Yakrit Vikara" (liver diseases).
Scientific evidence supporting the use of Boerhavia diffusa for liver health exists but remains limited and primarily preclinical. Some animal studies have reported hepatoprotective effects, attributed to its alkaloids, flavonoids, and other phytochemicals. These studies indicate that extracts of the plant may protect liver cells from chemical-induced damage and support antioxidant defense mechanisms. However, well-controlled clinical trials in humans are lacking, and most of the supportive data comes from traditional use and laboratory studies rather than large-scale clinical evidence.
In summary, the use of Boerhavia diffusa to support the hepatic system is primarily justified by traditional use, with some preliminary scientific studies lending partial support. Nevertheless, robust clinical evidence is currently insufficient.
Other ingredients that support Hepatic System
AHCCAlgae
alpha-lipoic acid
amino acids
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ampelopsin
andrographolide
animal protein
Antrodia camphorata
apigenin
Arginine carglumate
artichoke
baicalein
barberry
Basidiomycota
Beef liver
berberine
berry
betanin
bile acid
bile salt
bitter principals
black garlic
black seed
Boerhavia diffusa
boldo
borotutu
bovine
bovine liver
Brassica
broccoli
Bupleurum
bupleurum falcatum
capers
capillary artemisia
carqueja
catalpol
chanca piedra
Chinese thoroughwax
chlorogenic acid
cholic acid
Coenzyme A
corilagin
cruciferous
Curcuma
curcumin
Curcuminoid
cynarin
cynaropicrin
d-glucarate
dandelion
dehydrocholic acid
dihydrolipoic acid
dihydromyricetin
dithiolthiones
DL-Methionine
Eclipta
egg
emblicanin
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
eriocitrin
ferulic acid
flavonolignan
fringetree
fungus
gallate
gamma-glutamylcysteine
ganoderma
garlic bulb
gentian root
Gentiana manshurica
Ginsenosides
glucose
Glycochenodeoxycholic acid
Glycocholic acid
Glycyrrhetinic acid
Glycyrrhizin
gooseberry
green tea
Guggulsterones
Gypenoside
herbal blend (proprietary)
hesperetin
isoliquiritigenin
isosilybin
jiaogulan
Jurubeba
kale
Kutkins
L-glutathione
L-methionine
L-ornithine
lecithin
lingzhi
liquid liver fractions
mangiferin
Maslinic acid
Matcha
Milk thistle
Monoterpenes
Mushroom
Myricetin
N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
Naringenin
Naringin
Niacin (vitamin B3)
Niacinamide (vitamin B3)
nicotinamide riboside
Nigella seed
Nobiletin
oleanolic acid
olive
ornithine L-aspartic acid
ox bile
Oxymatrine
pantethine
parsley
Pentacyclic triterpenoids
phenolic compounds
Phenylpropanoids
phosphatidylcholine
phospholipids
Phthalides
Phyllanthus
picrorhiza kurroa
Picroside
Plukenetia volubilis
Polydatin
polymethoxylated flavones
polyphenols
pu-er tea
Puerarin
pumpkin
punarnava
riboflavin (vitamin B2)
S-allylcysteine
Salvianolic acid
Schisandrins
Schizandrol A
Scoparia dulcis
Sesamin
Silybin
Silybum
Silychristin
Silydianin
silymarin
Sulforaphane
sulforaphane glucosinolate
Taraxacum
Taurochenodeoxycholic acid
Taurocholic acid
Taurodeoxycholic acid
Taxifolin
Terminalia
Terpenoids
Theabrownin
Thistle
Thymoquinone
tocotrienols
trace minerals
Trimethylglycine (TMG)
Triphala
Triterpenes
turmeric
vitamin B
Watercress
Wogonin
Xanthohumol
Xanthorrhizol
Yin Chen
Zinc