The Mystique of Varun, Holy Garlic Pear, and Crataeva Nurvala

Abstract

Diuretics are medicines that help in eliminating excessive water accumulation
from the body also known as water pills. Most Diuretics promote water
elimination by promoting the kidney function and increasing the elimination of
water and salt via urine. But if people use more Diuretics it may lead to various
side effects such as Dizziness, Headache, Muscle Cramps, Gout, Erectile
Dysfunction, etc. So to prevent such side effects there is a better Herbal
Diuretics, among which we are going to discuss one of them – Varun (Crataeva
Nurvala).

Classical Reference - Bhavprakash Nighantu 5/65-66

Classical Reference – Bhavprakash Nighantu 5/65-66

Varun, Holy Garlic Pear, and Crataeva Nurvala

Description

Varun is one of the best herbal diuretics as well as an amazing blood purifier
and it is used for eliminating Kidney Stones science ancient times. Due to this
plant’s success in treating a variety of diseases, it has a significant role in
Ayurveda. A variety of medications have been developed using the plant’s entire
composition. Further let’s discuss the whole description about this herb along
with its other properties along with its Diuretic Action.

Scientific Classification

  • Kingdom – Plantae
  • Class – Dicotyledonae
  • Botanical name – Crataeva Nurvala
  • Family – Capparaceae
  • Genus – Crataeva
  • Species – Nurvala

Synonyms

  • Triparna (Trifoliate leaves)
  • Bilvapatra (Leaves resembles Bilva Leaves)
  • Vrittaphala (Having Ovoid Fruits)
  • Ashmaghana (Having Lithotripsy Properties)
  • Tikta (Due to Bitter Taste)

Other Vernacular Names

  • In Hindi – Barun
  • In Gujarati – Varno
  • In Bengali – Barun Tiktoshak
  • In Tamil – Maralingam
  • In Kannada – Bitusi
  • In Telugu – Ulimiri Chettu
  • In English – Holy Garlic Pear

Habitat

This herb is a native of Indo-Malaysian region, Myanmar and South Asia. In
India this herb is widely grown in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Gujrat, Orissa, Uttar
Pradesh, Konkan, Assam, Malabar and Tamil Nadu.

Morphology

Height of this tree is 10-20 metres and it’s a deciduous plant. Bark of this tree is
grey in colour with vertical striations and it’s bitter in taste. Leaves are trifoliate
means it has 3 leaves together, approx 18 cm in height and are ovoid in shape
with sharp tip. Flowers of Varun are yellowish and white in colour and have
fragrance. Fruits of this herb are round or oval in shape having 2.5 cms of
diameter and contain multiple seeds in yellowish pulp. Fruits come in the month
of June and the flowering season of Varun is march.

Classical Categorisation

  • As per Charak Samhita – Tikta Skanda (Herbs having bitter taste)
  • As per Acharya Sushruta – Varunadi Gana (Manage Abnormal Growths)
  • In Dhanwantari Nighantu – Amradi Gana (Herbs having edible fruits)
  • In Raj Nighantu – Prabhadradi Varga (Group of Herbal Medicinal Plants)
  • In Bhavprakash Nighantu – Vatadi Varga (Herbs with Anti-pyretic, Antitussive, and Anti-inflammatory properties)

Ancient Verses

Shloka No 1

“वरुणो वरणः सेतुस्तिक्त शाकः कुमारकः।
बरुणः पित्त्लो भेदी श्लेष्म कृच्श्राष्म मारूतान्।
निहन्ति गुल्म्वातास्त्र कृमींश्वोष्णो अग्निदीपनः।।
कषायो मधुरस्तिक्तः कटुको रूक्षको लघुः।”

(भ.प्र वटादि वर्ग ६५-६६)

Shloka Interpretation – Varun, Varan, Setu, Tiktashaak and Kumaarak are
various synonyms of Varun Herb. This herb has Kshaya (Astringent), Madhur
(Sweet) and Katu (Pungent) Rasa (Taste). It has rooksha (dry) and laghu (light
to digest) properties. It increases the Pitta Dosha, promotes mala bhedana
(divide waste into small portions), have Ushna veerya (hot in potency) and
promotes Agni deepak (Induces hot potency). It manages various issues such as
Kaphaj disorders, Mutrakrich (UTI), Kidney Stones, Abdominal tumour, Gout
and worm infestations.

Shloka No 2

“वरुणः श्वेतपुष्पश्च तिक्तशाकः कुमारकः।
श्वेतद्रुमो गन्धवृक्षस्तमालो मारूतापहः।।”

(ध.नि – अम्रादि वर्ग/१०९)

Shloka Interpretation – As per this shloka synonyms of Varun are Shvetpushp,
Tiktshaka, Kumaraka, shwetdruma, gandvriksha, tamala and marutapaha.

Shloka No 3

“वरुणः शीतवातघ्नस्तिक्तो विद्रधिजन्तुजित्।
तथा च कटुरुष्णश्च रक्तदोषहरः परः।।”

(ध.नि – अम्रादि वर्ग/११०)

Shloka Interpretation – As per this phrase Varun has various actions and
properties which includes Cold and Vata Pacifier, bitter, pungent, heals abscess,
manage worm infestation and blood disorders.

Ayurvedic Properties

  • Rasa (Taste): Tikta (Bitter) and Kshaya (Astringent)
  • Guna (Quality): Rooksha (Dry) and Laghu (Light)
  • Veerya (Potency): Ushna (Hot)
  • Vipaka (Post Digestive Effect): Katu (Pungent)
  • Dosha Karma (Action on Doshas): Kapha Vata Shamaka (Reduces Kapha and Vata Dosha) and Pitta Vardhaka (Increases Pitta Dosha)

Therapeutic Indications

  • Deepana Increases Digestive Fire
  • Anulomaka Promotes the correct movement of Vata Dosha
  • Pitta saraka Eliminates Pitta Dosha from the body
  • Krimighana Helps in Worm Infestation
  • Bhedan Breaks the accumulated doshas

Systemic Actions

  • Urinary System – As it has Ashmarighana properties, it helps in preventing and destroying stone formation in kidneys. Its diuretic properties aid in managing pain in the bladder and dysuria.
  • Digestive System – Varun possesses Anulomana (promotes the correct movement of vata dosha), Deepan (promotes digestion), excretes excessive pitta, bhedhan (piercing properties), and krimighna (anthelmintic) properties. It is effective in promoting digestive health.
  • Circulatory System – The decoction of Varun bark is helpful in detoxifying the blood, beneficial in gout, lymphadenopathy, and abscess.
  • Skin – Local application of powder of Varun Bark is effective in alleviating inflammation and various skin conditions.

Chemical Composition

Following are the chemical constituents of herb Varuna as per its different parts

  • Root and Bark Stem – Triterpenoid, Varunol, and lupeol.
  • Leaves – Flavonoids such as rutin, isoquercetin, quercetin.
  • Root Bark – Stearic, lauric, undecyclic, linoleic, oleic acids.
  • Fruits – Cetyl Alcohol, Triacontane, Triacontanol, Glucocapparin.

Actions And Properties Of Various Chemical Constituents

  • Triterpenoid – Antibacterial, anti-tumour, anti-viral, anti-HIV 1, hepatoprotective, cholesterol lowering, etc.
  • Lupeol – Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-cancerous, etc.
  • Rutin – Provides anti-rheumatic properties.
  • Quercetin – Anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, lowers blood sugar, prevents heart diseases.
  • Stearic Acid – Possesses anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties.
  • Lauric Acid – Supportive in viral infections such as common cold, flu, genital herpes, and various other infective conditions.
  • Undecyclic Acid – Helps in various types of fungal infections as well as jock itch and athlete’s foot.
  • Linoleic Acid – Supports normal heart rhythm and prevents heart diseases.
  • Oleic Acid – Lowers cholesterol levels, reduces inflammation, further preventing various heart diseases.
  • Cetyl Alcohol – Amazing moisturizer, helps in preventing dry, scaly, rough, itchy skin, and even skin irritations.
  • Triacontane – Possesses antitumor and antibacterial properties, also helps in lowering blood sugar levels.
  • Triacontanol – Provides anti-neoplastic properties.

Practical Uses / Benefits

Following are wonderful benefits of herb Varun

  • Majorly Varun is known for its Lithotripsy properties and diuretic properties due to which it helps in managing the issue of Kidney Stones.
  • Varun is an amazing digestive stimulant and it helps in alleviating constipation due to its laxative properties.
  • It’s also really helpful in managing symptoms of UTI like painful micturition and dysuria. Due to its diuretic action, it increases the flow of urine and manages dysuria along with painful urination.
  • This herb pacifies Vata dosha and as it’s a natural diuretic too, so due to these properties, this herb is helpful in managing Vatashthila (BPH), easing symptoms like difficulty urination, painful urination, frequent urination, etc.
  • Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, its local application is helpful in managing Abscess, cervical lymphadenopathy, and other inflammatory growths. Also, it is really effective in eliminating deep-seated inflammation if taken internally in the form of decoction.
  • The bark of Varun consists of anti-diabetic properties, thus helps in regulating blood sugar levels.
  • The cleansing properties of Varun help in reducing Urea and creatinine levels as well.
  • It also consists of blood-purifying properties which help in preventing various skin diseases.

Part Used

Bark, stem, leaves

Dosage

Internal Use

Decoction – 60-100 ml

Juice – 12 to 24 ml

External Use

Bark powder to be applied locally q.s.

Ayurvedic Medicines

Classical Products

  • Kanchnaar Guggul
  • Varunadi Kshaya
  • Mahamanjishthadi Kwath
  • Nyagrodhadi Churna
  • Abhya Lavana

Planet Ayurveda’s Products:

  • Varun Guggul
  • Varun Capsules
  • Varun Powder
  • Varunadi Vati
  • Ren Flow Capsules
  • Rencure Formula
  • Prostate Support
  • Prostate Endza
  • Mutrakrichantak Churna
  • Stono Plan Syrup
  • Reno Plan Syrup

Conclusion

Varun is one of the best herbal diuretics as well as an amazing blood purifier
and it is used for eliminating Kidney Stones science ancient times. In this article
we mentioned its Scientific Classification, Synonyms, Ancient Verses, Systemic
Actions, Practical Uses, Chemical Constituents, etc. If consumed without the
close supervision of a medical doctor who practises Ayurveda, this plant may
cause a number of negative side effects. We have discussed the many internal
and external benefits of this herb in this post. Therefore, under the supervision
of an Ayurvedic physician, you may utilise this herb if you have any of these
ailments.