ISSN 2278- 4136 Online Available at www.phytojournal.com Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry Vol. 1 No. 1 2012 www.phytojournal.com Page | 59 Traditional Indian Herbs Punarnava and Its Medicinal Importance Debjit Bhowmik , K.P. Sampath Kumar *,Shweta Srivastava, Shravan Paswan, Amit Sankar Dutta Dutta 1. Karpagam University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India 2. Department of Pharmaceutical sciences, Coimbatore medical college, Coimbatore,Tamil Nadu, India 3. R. K. Pharmacy college, Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, India Ayurveda considers man as an integral part of Mother Nature. Therefore the laws of nature are very well applicable for him also. Ancient philosophy which ponders the “secret of life and beyond” gives prime importance for health. It has understood the need of longevity and effectiveness to attain the supreme goal. Punarnava helps maintain efficient kidney and urinary functions with its diuretic, laxative, stomachic, diaphoretic, anthelminthic anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory action. According to Ayurveda, Punarnava is bitter, cooling, astringent to bowels, useful in biliousness, blood impurities, leucorrhoea, anaemia, inflammations, heart diseases, asthma, alternatives etc. The leaves are useful in dyspepsia, tumours, spleen enlargement and abdominal pains. According to Unani system of medicine, the leaves are appetizer, alexiteric, useful in opthalmia, in joint pains. Seeds are tonic expectorant, carminative, useful in lumbago, scabies. The seeds are considered as promising blood purifier. Keyword: Punarnava, kidney and urinary functions INTRODUCTION: Ayurveda aims for a holistic man with sharp intellect which can pierce in to the hidden truths of nature, and a heart concerned about the fellow beings, well supported with a physical efficiency to perform duties properly. The most ancient scriptures and the reference point of Indian life are Vedas. Ayurveda is an offshoot of Vedas. The umbilical cord connection of Ayurveda with the Vedas explains its strong philosophical basement. Earlier Ayurveda was taught in Gurukulas where the disciples stay serving their guru learning both Corresponding Author’s Contact information: K.P. Sampath Kumar* Karpagam University, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India E-mail: debjit_cr@yahoo.com theory and practical of life in a very organic way. Life is a journey. For those who know the destination and the road map it is a pleasure and source of enlightment. Ayurveda is that science and art of living which guides you in the journey of life. It is the Indian wisdom for global health. In fact the Indian sciences were always concerned about the wellbeing of not only the mankind but also of the other living things and even non-living things. The bits of knowledge about the laws governing the universe in general got consolidated as man started living in groups. In the light of this knowledge, he formulated the laws governing the health and illness using his scattered experience of healing he had gathered