Evidence supporting the use of: Boerhavia diffussa
For the health condition: Hepatitis

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Boerhavia diffusa (commonly known as Punarnava) has a long history of use in traditional Ayurvedic and Unani medicine, particularly for supporting liver function and treating conditions such as hepatitis. Traditional texts describe Punarnava as a "liver tonic" and recommend it for jaundice and other hepatic disorders, attributing to it properties like anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and hepatoprotective effects. The root and whole plant are most commonly used for these purposes.

Scientific studies on Boerhavia diffusa's efficacy in hepatitis are limited and mostly preclinical. Some in vitro and animal studies suggest that extracts of the plant may have hepatoprotective effects, such as reducing chemically-induced liver damage and lowering markers of liver injury (e.g., ALT, AST) in rats. These effects are often attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytochemicals, including punarnavoside and boeravinones. However, there is a lack of robust clinical trials in humans directly evaluating its efficacy or safety in treating hepatitis (either viral or non-viral).

In summary, the use of Boerhavia diffusa for hepatitis is primarily justified by traditional medical systems, with only preliminary scientific backing from animal studies and no high-quality human clinical trials as of now. The evidence supporting its use is thus rated as modest (2 out of 5), reflecting its strong traditional roots but limited scientific validation.

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