A Comprehensive Guide to Ayurvedic Specialties
श्लोकः (Śloka):
वरण-सैर्यक-युग्म-शतावरी-
दहन-मोरट-बिल्व-विषाणिकाः ।
द्वि-बृहती-द्वि-करञ्ज-जयाद्वयं
बहल-पल्लव-दर्भ-रुजाकराः ॥
वरणादिः कफं मेदो मन्दाग्नित्वं नियच्छति ।
आढ्यवातं शिरःशूलं गुल्मं चान्तः सविद्रधिम् ॥
Transliteration:
varaṇa-sairyaka-yugma-śatāvarī-
dahana-moraṭa-bilva-viṣāṇikāḥ |
dvi-bṛhatī-dvi-karañja-jayā-dvayaṁ
bahala-pallava-darbha-rujā-karāḥ ||
varuṇādiḥ kaphaṁ medo mandāgnitvaṁ niyacchati |
āḍhyavātaṁ śiraḥśūlaṁ gulmaṁ cāntaḥ savidradhim ||
Translation and Analysis
This śloka has two parts:
Part 1: The List of Ingredients (The Varaṇādi Gaṇa)
वरण (varaṇa): Crataeva nurvala (Varuna)
सैर्यक-युग्म (sairyaka-yugma): The pair (two types) of Sairyaka (Barleria species)
शतावरी (śatāvarī): Asparagus racemosus (Shatavari)
दहन (dahana): Plumbago zeylanica (Chitrak)
मोरट (moraṭa): Marsdenia tenacissima (Morata)
बिल्व (bilva): Aegle marmelos (Bilva)
विषाणिका (viṣāṇikā): Gymnema sylvestre (Meshashringi)
द्वि-बृहती (dvi-bṛhatī): The two types of Brihati
द्वि-करञ्ज (dvi-karañja): The two types of Karanja
जयाद्वयं (jayā-dvayam): The two types of Jayā
बहल-पल्लव (bahala-pallava): Moringa oleifera (Shigru)
दर्भ (darbha): Desmostachya bipinnata (Kusha grass)
रुजाकराः (rujā-karāḥ): Semecarpus anacardium (Bhallataka)
Part 2: The Therapeutic Actions
वरणादिः (varaṇādiḥ): The group starting with Varuna
कफं मेदः (kaphaṁ medaḥ): (pacifies) Kapha and Medas (fat tissue)
मन्दाग्नित्वं नियच्छति (mandāgnitvaṁ niyacchati): subdues/controls Mandāgni (low digestive fire)
आढ्यवातं (āḍhyavātaṁ): Ādhyavāta (a type of Vāta disorder often related to stiffness)
शिरःशूलं (śiraḥśūlaṁ): Headache
गुल्मं (gulmaṁ): Abdominal lumps/ tumors
चान्तः सविद्रधिम् (cāntaḥ savidradhim): And internal abscesses (Antarvidradhi)
Complete Translation:
"Varana, the two Sairyakas, Shatavari, Chitrak, Morata, Bilva, Vishanika, the two Brihatis, the two Karanjas, the two Jayas, Bahalapallava, Darbha, and Rujakara (Bhallataka).
The group starting with Varuna (Varaṇādi) subdues Kapha, fat tissue, and low digestive fire. It (also subdues) Ādhyavāta, headache, abdominal lumps, and internal abscesses."
वरणा (Varanā) (Crataeva nurvala)
सैरीयक (Sairyaka) (Barleria prioritis)
सैरीयक (Sairyaka) (Kydia calycina)
शतावरी (Śatāvari) (Asparagus racemosus)
चित्रक (Citraka) (Plumbago zeylanica)
मोरट (Mōraṭa) (Marsdenia tenacissima)
विल्व (Viļwa) (Aegle marmelos)
विषाणिका (Viṣāṇikā) (Gymnema sylvestre)
बृहती (Bṛhatī) (Solanum indicum)
बृहती (Bṛhatī) (Solanum xanthocarpum)
करंज (Karañja) (Pongamia pinnata)
अता करंज (Atā Karañja) (a type of Karañja)
जय (Jaya) (Premna integrifolia)
जय (Jaya) (a type of Premna)
बहल पल्लव (Bahala Pallava) (Moringa oleifera)
दर्भा (Darbha) (Desmostachya bipinnata)
रुजाकर (Rujākara) (भल्लातक) (Bhallātaka) (Semecarpus anacardium)
Primary & Classical Diagnoses (Sanskrit)
Mandāgni: Impaired digestive fire, leading to indigestion and malabsorption.
Ādhyavāta (Ūrustambha): A type of Vata disorder affecting the thighs, causing stiffness and pain.
Śiraśūla: Headache of various origins.
Gulma: Phantom tumour or abdominal lump often caused by vitiated Vata.
Antar Vidradhi: Internal abscess or suppuration.
Kapha Medo Vikāras: Disorders arising from the vitiation of Kapha Dosha and Medas (fat/adipose tissue).
Arbuda: Tumours or neoplasms.
Granthi: Cysts, nodules, or glandular swellings.
Scope of Application (Modern & Integrated Clinical Correlation)
Metabolic & Endocrine System: Obesity, Dyslipidemia, Metabolic Syndrome X, Hypothyroidism, Fatty Liver Disease.
Musculoskeletal System: Cervical and Lumbar Spondylosis, Intervertebral Disc Prolapse (IVDP), Entrapment Neuropathies (e.g., Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - CTS).
Neurological System: Bell's Palsy, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Chronic Headache, Sinus Headache.
Reproductive System (Female): Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD), Uterine Fibroids.
Reproductive System (Male): Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).
Oncology & Growths: Various Cancers, Lipoma, Glioma, Intracranial Meningioma, Internal Tumours, Cysts.
ENT System: Nasal Polyp.
Urological System: Urinary Calculi (supportive management).
Cardiovascular System: Atherosclerosis (as an anti-atherosclerotic agent).
Dosha Karma (Action on Bio-Humors): Kapha-Vāta Šamana. Pacifies and alleviates aggravated Kapha and Vāta Doshas.
Dhātu Karma (Action on Body Tissues): Durmedo Hara. Corrects vitiation of the Medas (fat/adipose tissue); anti-obesity, anti-atherosclerotic.
Agni Karma (Action on Digestive Fire): Dīpana, slightly Pācana. Kindles the digestive fire and mildly digests toxins (Āma).
Srotas Karma (Action on Body Channels): Srotoshodhana, Lekhana, Chedana. Cleanses and purifies the bodily channels; has a scraping or penetrating action; excises obstructive matter.
Roga Karma (Disease Curing Action): Granthi Vilayana, Kṛmighna. Dissolves cysts and nodules; has anthelmintic (anti-parasitic) properties.
Lakṣaṇika Karma (Symptomatic Action): Śūla Prašamana, Śōpha Hara. Alleviates pain and reduces swelling.
Attribute (Guṇa) Property
Rasa (Taste) Predominantly Kaṭu (Pungent), Tikta (Bitter)
Guṇa (Quality) Laghu (Light), Rūkṣa (Dry)
Vīrya (Potency) Uṣṇa (Heating)
Vipāka (Post-digestive Effect) Kaṭu (Pungent)
Modern Correlate Actions: Lipolytic (breaks down fat), slightly Diuretic (promotes urine flow), Anti-inflammatory.
Arya Vaidya Sala - Kottakkal
The Arya Vaidya Pharmacy (Coimbatore) Limited
Vaidyaratnam Oushadhasala
Sitaram Ayurveda Pharmacy
Nagarjuna Ayurvedic Group
Kerala Ayurveda Ltd
Dhanwanthari Vaidyasala
SNA Oushadhasala Pvt. Ltd.
Thaikkattu Mooss ETM Oushadhasala (INDIA) Ltd
Bodhi Pharmacy
Vaidyaraj Oushadhasala
Asoka Pharmaceuticals
Arya Vaidya Nilayam
Changampally Ayurveda Vaidyasala
Everest Ayurvedic Medicines
SKM Siddha and Ayurveda
Arya Vaidya Vilasini Vaidyasala
Bipha Ayurveda
Sreedhareeyam (Sahasrayoga)
Ayursiddha Pharmaceuticals
Chamakkatt Herbal Products
Deseeya Ayurvedic Pharmacy
Farmers Ayurveda Pharmacy
Pam Labs
Viswakeerthy Herbals (INDIA) Pvt. Ltd.
Site of Action: Possesses a dual action on both the Koṣṭha (alimentary tract, viscera) and the Śākhā (periphery, extremities), with a specific affinity for the Māmsa Dhātu (muscle tissue).
Digestive Correction: Highly effective for correcting Jāṭharāgnimāndya (mandagni) by its strong Dīpana (appetizer) property. It is a Laghu Yōga (light formulation), making it suitable for patients with poor Agnibala (digestive strength) and as an initial therapy in its indicated conditions.
Organ Specificity: Has a specific action on the head (Śirō Viśēṣatva) and on Gulma (Gulma Viśēṣatva).
Tissue Connection: Due to the Ayurvedic principle that Snāyu (ligaments, tendons) is an Upadhātu (subsidiary tissue) of Medas (fat), this formulation is also highly indicated for Snāyugata Rōgas (Vata disorders affecting the ligaments and tendons).
Formulation Versatility: As a Gana (group of drugs), the Varanādi combination is the base for multiple dosage forms, including Kashāya (decoction), Ariṣṭa/Āsava (fermented decoction), Taila (medicated oil), and Ghṛta (medicated ghee).
Contraindications & Cautions: Due to the presence of Bhallātaka and Citraka, which have Uṣṇa Vīrya, it is best to avoid or use with extreme caution in Pitta-predominant conditions, Pitta Prakṛti individuals, and Raktaja (blood-related) disorders.