Crataeva nurvala is deciduous, medium sized tree which reaches height up to 50 feet. Leaves of varuna are trifoliate, about 8-12cm long, with oval or ovoid leaflets. Bark of the tree is smooth and brown in color while the branches are white tinged with purple and yellow patches. The flowers are greenish white, light yellowish or creamy colored and are fragrant. Bark contains horizontal wrinkles, smooth and gray in color. Diameter of fruits is 2.5cm, ovoid berries, resembles to lemon changes to red color after ripening. Seeds contain multiple seeds engulfed in fresh yellow pulp. Flowering season of herb is month of March and fruits appear in the month of June.
Three leaved caper, barun, baruna, crataeva, borun, holy garlic pear, scared lingam tree and triune all are synonyms of crataeva nurvala. In Ayurveda more than 3000 years bark of this herb is best used to treat kidney stones, urinary tract infections and prostate related disorders as well as benign prostatic hypertrophy. Bark is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, laxative and carminative in nature. This herb is also good for heart it is used to clear the blockage of arteries. Both the bark and leaves are extensively used to prepare ayurvedic medications. Bark of the tree generates alcohol, lupeol, friedlin, disogenin and betulinic acid.
Main chemicals available in this herb are flavonoids, tannins, saponins, titerpenes, alkaloids, glucosilinates and plant sterols. Rind of varun fruits are used as mordant in dyeing. Leaves contain stachydrine, quercetin and isoquuercetin. Fruits are rich in cetyl alcohol, tricontanol and beta- sitosterol. Leaves of varuna are recommended during menstrual pain and bark is effective to cure convulsions and tympanitis.
It is very effective herb for treating renal conditions. It is used to increase appetite, stimulates digestion and very effective herbal treatment for flatulence and various abdominal disorders.
In Vedic literatures this herb is used as blood purifier. Bark of this herb is very effective for treating urinary tract infections. Acharya shushruta mentioned this herb as litholytic in nature and used it to cure different types of ashmari (calculi). According to acharya charak wood of varuna is used in nadi Swaden (for inducing sweating) and sootikagar (Postpartum ward).
Varuna is basically native to India and Bangladesh, often grown in neighborhood of temples. Varuna is distributed throughout India, especially in the sub-alpine zones along streams and rivers. In India it grows almost in semiarid regions. It is found abundantly in Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Bengal and Assam.
Hindi / Sanskrit |
English |
||
Rasa |
Kashay, Tikta |
Taste |
Astringent, Bitter |
Guna |
Laghu, Ruksha |
Physical Property |
Light, Dry |
Virya |
Ushna |
Potency |
Hot |
Vipaka |
Katu |
Metabolic Property (After Digestion) |
Pungent |
It balances kapha and vata dosha.
Charak Samhita |
Sushrut Samhita |
Vagbhata |
Vagbhata |
Tikta skanda - Herbs with bitter taste. |
Varunadi gana |
Varunadi gana |
Vatadi gana |
It states that varun, baran, setu, tiktashak and kumarak all are synonyms of crataeva nurvala. Varun is astringent, pungent, sweet and bitter in taste. It is light and rough in nature and this herb aggravates pitta dosha in body due to its hot potency. It is used to stimulate digestive fire and used to pacify kapha and vata dosha. It is used to treat urine retention, calculi, abdominal tumors and worm infestation.