Boerhavia coccinea
Boerhavia coccinea, commonly known as Punarnava, is a versatile medicinal herb revered in Ayurveda. Renowned for its profound regenerative properties, it is primarily used to treat kidney ailments, edema, and liver disorders. This potent plant supports detoxification and promotes cellular healing, making it a cornerstone of traditional herbal medicine.
- Scientific name: Boerhavia coccinea
- Family: Nyctaginaceae
- Native range: Europe
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is placed in the order Caryophyllales and the family Nyctaginaceae. Finally, it is identified under the genus Boerhavia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Caryophyllales | WCVP |
| Family | Nyctaginaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Boerhavia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Boerhavia coccineae, is referred to by various common names across different languages and regions. In Chinese, it is identified as 紅花黃細心 or 紅花黃細心 (zh-tw), and is also known as 红细心 (zh). In the Dag language, it is called Jaŋ kunon nyuli, while in Arabic, it is recognized as البورهافيية الكوتشينية.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| zh | 紅花黃細心 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 紅花黃細心 | Wikidata |
| dag | Jaŋ kunon nyuli | Wikidata |
| ar | البورهافية الكوتشينية | Wikidata |
| zh | 红细心 | Wikidata |
| ar | البورهافية الكوتشينية | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution across several key regions in the Mediterranean and surrounding areas. In Southeastern Europe, its presence can be specifically noted in Sicilia. The species is also well-established across various parts of Northern Africa. Within this region, it is found in Algeria, Egypt, and Libya. Additionally, its range extends further west to include Morocco.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Southeastern Europe | Sicilia | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Algeria | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Egypt | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Libya | WCVP |
| Northern Africa | Morocco | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Cape Verde | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Burkina | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Gambia | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Ghana | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea-Bissau | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Boerhavia coccineus, is highly valued in traditional medicine due to the therapeutic properties found throughout its various structures. The roots are a primary focus for medicinal use, where the entire root system is often harvested to prepare decoctions. Specifically, the different root parts are utilized to treat various ailments, often processed into concentrated plant extracts to enhance their potency and bioavailability. Additionally, the leaf of the plant contributes to its overall medicinal profile, making the entire organism a versatile resource in herbal pharmacology.- Total parts
- 7
- Scientific sources
- 7
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| roots | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| plant extracts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| green leafy vegetable | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Boerhavia coccinea has 11 reported activities identified across 21 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, Antifungal.
- Total activities
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 21
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antiaging | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifertility | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cardioprotective | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |