Origin, Distribution and Composition
Hog weed is a creeping and spreading perennial herb, with a stout root-stock and many erect or spreading branches. It grows upto 2 metres in length. The leaves of the plant are simple, broad, somewhat rough, thick and brittle. The flowers are pink or red in colour. The fruits are oval in shape, dull-green or brownish in colour and about the size of caraway bean.
Hog weed is indigenous to India. It grows wild all over the country as a common creeping weed and is specially abundant during the rains.
The plant contains a crystalline acid known as boerhavic acid, potassium nitrate and a brown mass consisting of tannins, phlobaphenes and reducing sugars. The active principle of hog weed is the alkaloid punarnavine. The drug contains large quantities of potassium salts, which accounts for its diuretic properties.
Healing Power and Curative Properties
The herb has been used in indigenous
medicine from time immemorial. It is laxative and produces a cooling sensation. In large doses it induces vomiting. Medicinally, the most important part of the herb is the root. It has a bitter and nauseous taste. It is beneficial in the treatment of several common ailments.
Dropsy
Hog weed increases the secretion and discharge of urine. It is effective in the treatment of dropsy, a
diseases marked by an excessive collection of a watery fluid in the tissues and cavities or natural hollows of the body. The fresh boiled herb should be given in the treatment of this
diseases. A liquid extract of the fresh or dry plant can also be given in doses of 4 to 16 grams.
Ascities
The herb is useful in the treatment of ascites, a
diseases characterised by accumulation of fluid inside the peritoneal cavity of the
diseases. Much more powerful effect on certain types of ascites—that is, those caused due to the
cirrhosis of the liver and chronic peritonitis—than some of the other important diuretics known. The herb can be administered in the same manner as for dropsy.
Disorders
The drug is useful in strengthening the
stomach and promoting its action. It is beneficial in the treatment of several
stomach disorders, particularly intestinal colic. A powder of the root is given in doses of 5 grams thrice a day. It is also useful in killing or expelling intestinal worms.
Asthma
Hog weed promotes the removal of catarrhal matter and phlegm from the bronchial tubes. It is, therefore, beneficial in the treatment of
asthma. A powder of the root can be taken in small doses three times a day.
Hog weed is beneficial in the treatment of
fevers
. It brings down temperature by inducing copious perspiration.
Other
Diseases
The root of the plant is useful in the treatment of several diseases—particularly of the
kidney and
heart as well as gonorrhoea. It is also valuable in oedema, anaemia, cough, pluerisy, nervous weakness,
constipation and paralysis.
Diseases
The root of the plant is an effective remedy for several
skin
diseases. A paste of the root can be applied beneficially as a dressing for oedematous swellings. A hot poultice of the root can be applied with gratifying results to ulcers, abscesses and similar
skin
diseases. It is also used for extracting guinea-worms. Charaka, the great physician of ancient India, used it in the form of ointment in leprosy and other
skin
diseases.