Thazhuthama: Herb with a thousand benefits, hiding in your backyard

While walking in your background, you might accidentally step on ‘thazhuthama,’ a low-growing creeper with greenish-pink stems. Even its tiny, purple flowers don’t grab much attention. However, if you are a person who knows the health benefits of this humble shrub, you would immediately take it home to make a dish, medicines or even prepare skincare pastes. Also known as ‘thavizhama’ or ‘punarnava,’ it naturally grows in the fields and backyards during the rainy season. Meanwhile, Punarnava is a Sanskrit word meaning rebirth. Punarnava essence extracted from various plant parts is used in ayurvedic medicines and oils.

It is considered excellent for curing diseases related to the kidneys and heart. The scientific name of Punarnava is Boerhavia Diffusa. Two varieties of Punarnava – one with a pink stem and the other with a white stem – are generally seen in India. The Trianthema portulacastrum herb is often mistaken for the white Punarnava due to its similar appearance. Punarnava spreads up to two metres in diameter and branches out quite lavishly. The leaves are 2 – 4 centimetres, with a silky green hue on top and a milky green colour on the bottom.

The herb is a good potassium source, so it would clear your urinary strain. Punarnava is also prescribed in the treatment for diseases related to poisons, heart ailments, inflammation, cough, jaundice, anaemia, respiratory diseases and eye diseases. It is often a main ingredient in medicines usually prescribed for these diseases. The root and leaves of Punarnava are either used separately or the entire plant is used for making the ayurvedic concoctions. 5 ml – 10 ml of root extract, 10 ml – 20 ml of leaf extract and 1 – 3 grams of paste made from Punarnava roots are prescribed to patients for various health conditions or diseases as per their age.

Health benefits
Eating stir-fried Punarnava leaves could reduce inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis. Applying a few drops of white Punarnava extract mixed with breast milk in the eyes could reduce itching and discomfort. Punarnava essence mixed with honey could cure watery eyes and soothe eye diseases if mixed with ghee. Consuming 15 ml of Punarnava essence in the morning and evening could reduce the swelling on the eyelids. Punarnava root extract mixed in tender coconut water or leaf extract is prescribed for curing jaundice. Having 25 ml of a special concoction made with Punarnava root and milk, two times a day, could cure alcohol addiction, swelling in the liver, exhaustion and unconsciousness.

A clarified form of kashayam made using Punarnava roots and rock candy can reduce inflammation. The root concoction is an excellent remedy for lack of sleep. Applying Punarnava paste on the skin is extremely soothing and can even settle down swelling caused by skin diseases. Punarnava root extract mixed with sweet flag can ease a cough. Consuming 25 ml of kashayam made using Punarnava root extract, kacholam (Kaempferia galanga) and dried ginger, two times a day for two weeks, can reduce swelling and pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis.

Ayurvedic medicines and concoctions like punarnavasavam, punarnavadikashayam or tailam, dashamoolarishtam, vidaryadyasavam, dhanwantharam kashayam/kritham/tailam/oil, avarthi tailam, valia rasnadi kashayam, gandharvahastadi kashayam, karpasasthyadi tailam/oil, valia Narayana tailam, Suvarnamustadi tablet, Sukumarakritham, chyawanaprash and brahmarasayanam contain Punarnava as a main ingredient. Punarnava grows abundantly in the Indian weather conditions. A kilo of dried Punarnava root costs Rs 100 – 145. So, farmers could associate with ayurvedic hospitals or centres to study about the scope of commercial farming of Punarnava.