Bitterroot Restoration

Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Caryophyllales
Family: Nyctaginaceae

Common name: Punarnava, Gondhapurna(Beng.); Pigweed(Eng.).
Edible Parts: Root, whole plant.
Life cycle: Annual or Perennial
Native Range: Native to mostly warm tropical areas.

Boerhaavia diffusa, the spiderlings, is a genus of annual or perennial herbaceous plants in the four o'clock flower family. The plant grows throughout India, as a weed in water lands and road sides. The leaves two on each node, one smaller than the other, base cordate, glabrous above and whitish beneath. The flowers very small, reddish, in short clusters on long axillary stalks. The fruit with five ridges, glandular and one-seeded. The plant flowers and fruits in monsoon.

The roots and the whole plant is used for the medicinal purpose, externally Boerhaavia diffusa is used for fomentation to alleviate the pain and swelling. The fresh juice of its roots instilled into eyes, mitigates the ailments of the eyes like night blindness and conjunctivitis. Boerhaavia diffusa is beneficial to treat a wide range of diseases. It is the most commonly used and the best herb to alleviate swelling, due to its potent diuretic property.