Varuna: The Saviour herb

   Varuna is commonly known as ‘three leaved caper’ and is found throughout India especially in North Indian states. The herb is also known as “Sethuvriksha” as it is very potent in removing urinary calculus. According to Ayurvedic textbooks, Varuna is one of the main Mutrala oushada (Diuretic ) and is used in Asmari (Urinary calculus). Varuna herb is used also in the management of Vidradhi as per Ayurveda system. Dr Varun Ram Raj of Ayurvedatarian successfully uses this herb to treat diseases like Goitre, Abscess, Urinary calculus etc. The plant contains Phyto-constituents like Friedelin, Betulinic acid, Disogenin etc. and these constituents help in it’s Diuretic action as well as other above mentioned disease curing abilities. 

GENERAL ASPECTS AND GEOGRAPHY

Botanical name : Crataeva nurvala

Family : Capparidaceae 

Habitat: Found through out India

PARTS USED

• Stem bark 

CLASSICAL CATEGORIZATION based on AYURVEDA TEXTBOOKS 

Susruta Samhita – Varunadi varga (Diuretic herbs)

PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTION 

• Lithotriptic 
• Anti-inflammatory 
• Spasmodic 
• Antipyretic 
• Diuretic 

Medicinal property according to Ayurveda

• Mutrala (Diuretic )
• Krimighna( Kills worms )
• Hrdrogahara(alleviate heart disorders)
• Dipana (Carminative )
• Jwaraghna (Reduces fever )

THERAPEUTIC INDICATIONS

• Urinary calculus (Asmari)- Decoction made up of Varuna can be taken on a daily basis at a dosage of 90ml twice per day to alleviate Urinary calculus.
• Goitre (Gandamala)- Varunadi kwatha(Decoction) is taken along with honey to cure Goitre.

DOSAGE

Powder (Churna) – 5-10g

Decoction (Kashaya)- 90 ml

Juice (Swarasa)- 20 ml

Tablet - 2 tablets twice daily or as per the advice of the Ayurveda doctor 

Note: Ayurveda medications must be taken only after consulting an Ayurveda doctor. 

FORMULATIONS 

• Varunadi kwatha or Varanasi kasha yam
• Varunadi ghrtha
• Varunadi taila

Morphology :

Varuna is a small tree with grey bark. Stem is erect and woody. Leaves are of compound type. The flowers are Greenish white.

VERNACULAR NAMES OF  VARUNA 

English – Three leaved caper

Hindi- Tapia

Malayalam – Nirvala

SYNONYMS  

• Sethuvriksha
• Asmarighna
• Kumaraka

RASAPANCHAKA of VARUNA 

Rasa-   Madhura (sweet) Tikta (bitter) and Kashaya (astringent )

Guna-  Laghu (Light)

Vipaka- Katu (acrid)

Virya- Ushna (hot)

Prabhava- Asmaribhedaka (Used to cure Calculus )

वरुणः पित्तलो भेदीश्लेष्मकृच्छ्राश्रममारुतान् ।

निहन्ति गुल्मवातास्त्रकृमिचोष्णोऽग्निदीपनः ।

कषायोमधुरस्तिक्तः कटुकोरूक्षको लघुः ।।

(Bhavaprakasa Nighantu -Vatadi varga- shloka 65-66)

   Varuna is said to the most potent Asmaribhedaka (Cures calculus) herb. Because of it’s properties like Ushna virya and Katu vipaka, it is Vata Kapha dosha samana (Alleviates Vata and Kapha). The herb can be used to treat diseases like Urinary calculus, Fever, Intestinal worm infestations, Heart disorders etc. Varuna is one among the important herbs used for various research studies and medicinal preparations by team Ayurvedatarian. Dr. Varun Ram Raj, is leading the research for Ayurvedatarian single herbs and herbal combinations for making the availability of high quality herbal as well as Ayurvedic products to the globe. 

RESEARCHES ON VARUNA 

1. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/297164199_The_Varuna_tree_Crataeva_nurvala_a_promising_plant_in_the_treatment_of_urinary_stones_-_A_review

2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3221072/

Frequently asked Questions

1) Is Varuna good for controlling Urinary Calculi ?

   Yes, according to Ayurvedic textbooks, Varuna is one of the most potent herb to treat calculi. Decoction of Varuna can alleviate Urinary calculus

2) What is the dosage of Varuna kwatha?

   Decoction of Varuna can be taken at a dose of 90 ml once or twice per day, or as directed by the physician. Ayurveda medicines must be taken only after consulting an Ayurveda doctor.