वरुणा  Varuna

 Varuna (Crataeva nurvala)

Classical Textual References (Shloka Pramana)

 1. Reference from Kaiyadeva Nighantu

 Sanskrit Shloka (in Devanagari script):

वरुणो मधुरस्तिक्तः कषायकटुको लघुः । 

रूक्षोष्णः पित्तलो भेदी दीपनः कफवातजित् ||८४९|| 

निहन्ति कृमिवातास्रमूत्राघातास्रहृद्गदान् | 

पुष्पं पितास्रहृद् ग्राहि फलं स्निग्ध सरं गुरु ||८५०|| 

स्वादूष्णं मधुरं पाके वातघ्नं कफपित्तजित् | |८५१|

varuṇo madhurastiktaḥ kaṣāyakaṭuko laghuḥ | 

rūkṣoṣṇaḥ pitalo bhedī dīpanaḥ kaphavātajit ||849||

nihanti kṛmivātāsramūtrāghātāsrahṛdgadān |

 puṣpaṃ pitāsrahṛd grāhi phalaṃ snigdha saraṃ guru ||850||

svādūṣṇaṃ madhuraṃ pāke vātaghnaṃ kaphapittajit ||851|

 English Translation & Commentary:

This set of verses provides a comprehensive profile of Varuna.

   Verse 849: The herb possesses a combination of tastes (Rasa): sweet (Madhura), bitter (Tikta), astringent (Kashaya), and pungent (Katu). It is light (Laghu) and dry (Ruksha) in quality, with a hot potency (Ushna Virya). Its primary pharmacological actions include being penetrating or purgative (Bhedi), digestively stimulating (Deepana), and pacifying disorders of Kapha and Vata doshas (Kaphavatajit). It is noted to be potentially aggravating for Pitta (Pittala).

   Verse 850: Therapeutically, it destroys (Nihanti) conditions such as worms (Krimi), disorders of Vata and blood (Vatasra), urinary obstructions (Mutraghata), and heart diseases (Hridgada). The flower of the plant is astringent and beneficial for Pitta and blood disorders (Pittasrahrid Grāhi), while the fruit is unctuous (Snigdha), laxative (Sara), and heavy to digest (Guru).

   Verse 851: The fruit is sweet in taste (Svadu), hot in potency (Ushna), and undergoes a sweet post-digestive effect (Madhura Vipaka). It is specifically effective against Vata (Vataghna) and mitigates Kapha and Pitta (Kaphapittajit).

2. Reference from Dhava Nighantu (Shloka 121)

 Sanskrit Shloka (in Devanagari script):

वरुणः शीतवातघ्नस्तिक्तो विद्रधिजन्तुजित् | 

तथा च कटुरूष्णश्च रक्तदोषहरः परः ||१२१||

varuṇaḥ śītavātaghnaḥ tikto vidradhijantujit | 

tathā ca kaṭurūṣṇaśca raktadoṣaharaḥ paraḥ ||121||

 English Translation & Commentary:

This verse highlights specific therapeutic strengths. Varuna is effective against diseases caused by cold and Vata (Shitavataghna). It is bitter (Tikta) and is a superior remedy for purifying blood disorders (Raktadoshaharah Parah). It is also effective in managing abscesses (Vidradhi) and worm infestations (Jantujit), attributes linked to its pungent and hot qualities (Katu, Ushna).

3. Reference from Bhava Prakasha (Shloka 54)

 Sanskrit Shloka (in Devanagari script):

वरुणः पित्तलो भेदी श्लेष्मकृच्छ्राश्ममारुतान् |

 निहन्ति गुल्मवातास्रकृमींश्वोष्णोऽग्निदीपकः | 

कषायो मधुरस्तिक्तः कटुकी रूक्षको लघुः ||५४||

 varuṇaḥ pitalo bhedī śleṣmakṛcchrāśmamārutān | 

nihanti gulmavātāsrakṛmīṃśvoṣṇo'gnidīpakaḥ |

 kaṣāyo madhurastiktaḥ kaṭukī rūkṣako laghuḥ ||54||

English Translation & Commentary:

This shloka corroborates and expands on the actions. It confirms Varuna is penetrating (Bhedi), hot (Ushna), and digestively stimulating (Agnidipaka). It specifically destroys (Nihanti) a key set of conditions: urinary disorders including dysuria and calculi (Shleshma-Krichchra-Ashma), abdominal lumps (Gulma), Vata and blood disorders (Vatasra), and worms (Krimi). The Rasa (tastes) are reiterated as astringent, sweet, bitter, and pungent, with light and dry qualities.

4. Reference from Raja Nighantu (Shloka 137)

Sanskrit Shloka (in Devanagari script):

वरुणः कटुरुष्णश्च रक्तदोषहरः परः |

 शीर्षवातहरः स्निग्धो दीपनो विद्रधिवातजित् ||१३७||

varuṇaḥ kaṭuruṣṇaśca raktadoṣaharaḥ paraḥ | 

śīrṣavātaharaḥ snigdho dīpano vidradhivātajit ||137||

English Translation & Commentary:

This verse adds nuanced clinical applications. It reaffirms Varuna's pungent and hot nature (Katu, Ushna) and its supremacy in treating blood disorders (Raktadoshaharah Parah). Importantly, it specifies its use in headaches caused by Vata (Shirshavatahara) and notes a unctuous (Snigdha) quality, which may refer to a specific part of the plant (like the fruit, as mentioned in Kaiyadeva Nighantu). It is digestively stimulating (Deepana) and effective against abscesses (Vidradhi) and Vata disorders (Vatajit).

 1. Botanical Reference & Nomenclature

   Latin Name: Crataeva nurvala Buch.-Ham. (Syn: Crateva adansonii subsp. odora)

   Family: Capparidaceae (Capparaceae)

   Classical Gana/Varga:

    Charaka:   Vātāśamāna (alleviates Vāta), Kaṣāya Skandha (group of astringents)

    Sushruta: Varuṇādi, Vātāśamarīṇaśana (destroys Vāta-induced stones)

    Varga: Kaphāśamarīṇaśana (destroys Kapha-induced stones)

   Sanskrit Synonyms: Tiktāśaka, Aśmarighna, Setuvṛkṣa, Triparṇa, Kumāraka, Bhramarapriyā, Bahupuṣpa, Bīlyapatra.

   Regional Names:

    Hindi: Varuna, Baruna, Bilāsal

    Marathi: Vāyvarṇa

    Tamil: Maraliṅgam

    Malayalam: Nīrvala, Vītusi

    Telugu: Uskjā

    Kannada: Nāruve

    English: Three-leaved Caper

 2. Botanical Description & Processing (Śodhana & Māraṇa)

   Morphology: A medium-sized tree, 7-9 meters tall, found throughout India, especially in Madhya Pradesh, Bengal, Assam, and Kerala. The bark is brownish with vertical furrows. Leaves are trifoliate, lanceolate, and 8-12 cm long. Flowers are whitish-yellow, fragrant, with blackish-red stamens. Fruits are approximately 2.5 cm in diameter, turning red when ripe. Flowers appear in spring (Vasant Ṛtu) and fruits in June.

   Part Used: Bark, Root bark, Leaves.

   Purification (Śodhana): Information on a specific classical Śodhana (purification) process for Varuna is not provided in the source text. Standard practices for bitter-tasting barks may apply, but this requires reference to classical texts.

   Preservation: Specific preservation methods are not detailed. Generally, the dried bark/leaves should be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, protected from moisture and pests.

 3. Pharmacodynamics (Rasa, Guṇa, Vīrya, Vipāka)

 Attribute (Guṇa)  Property     

 Rasa (Taste)  Tikta (Bitter), Kaṣāya (Astringent), Kaṭu (Pungent), Madhura (Sweet)

 Guṇa (Quality)  Rūkṣa (Dry), Laghu (Light)

 Vīrya (Potency)  Uṣṇa (Heating)  

 Vipāka (Post-digestive)  Kaṭu (Pungent)

 4. Pharmacological Properties & Therapeutic Indications (Karma-Prayoga)

   Doṣa Karma: Primarily Kapha-Vāta hara. Due to its Uṣṇa Vīrya, it alleviates Vāta. Due to its Tikta-Kaṣāya Rasa and Rūkṣa-Laghu Guṇa, it is highly effective in pacifying Kapha.

   Srotas Karma (Actions by Body System):

    Annavaha Srotas (Digestive System): Being Dīpana (appetizer), Anulomana (carminative), Pittasāraka (cholagogue), Bhedana (laxative), and Kṛmighna (anthelmintic), it is used in Agnimaṇdya (indigestion), Śūla (abdominal pain), Gulma (abdominal lumps), Yakṛt Vikāra (liver disorders), Ādhmana (flatulence), and Kṛmi (worm infestations).

       Rasavaha/Raktavaha Srotas (Circulatory/Blood System): Acts as a Raktadoṣahara (blood purifier) and Alterative. Decoction is used in Vātarakta (gout/rheumatoid arthritis) by pacifying Dusṭa Medas (vitiated fat) and promoting Meda Prasadana (fat purification).

    Medovaha Srotas (Adipose Tissue System): Effective in Medoroga (obesity-related disorders) and Apachī (lymphadenitis). Its Tikta, Kaṭu, Kaṣāya Rasas and Rūkṣa, Laghu Guṇas help absorb excess fat.

    Mūtravaha Srotas (Urinary System): This is its primary area of action. It is Aśmaribhedana (lithotriptic), Mūtrala (diuretic), and bactericidal. It is indicated in Aśmarī (urolithiasis), Mūtrakṛcchra (dysuria), Bastiśūla (cystitis), and urinary tract infections.

   Primary Actions: Aśmaribhedana (Lithotriptic), Mūtrala (Diuretic), Śothahara (Anti-inflammatory), Vedanāsthāpana (Analgesic), Kṛmighna (Anthelmintic), Raktadoṣahara (Blood Purifier).

 5. Dosage, Administration & Important Formulations (Mātrā, Anupāna, Kalpa)

   Dosage (Mātrā):

    Decoction (Kvātha): 40 - 80 ml

    Fresh Juice (Svarasa): 10 - 20 ml

   Anupāna (Vehicle): Honey, Ghee, Jaggery, Yavakṣāra.

   Important Formulations (Kalpa): Varuṇādi Kvātha, Varuṇādyataila, Varuṇādyaghṛta.

 6. Toxicology & Safety Profile (Viṣa Lakṣaṇa & Chikitsā)

   Contraindications (Nivārita): Caution in Pitta Prakṛti (Pitta-dominant constitutions) and conditions of Pitta aggravation due to its Uṣṇa Vīrya. Contraindicated in hypotension.

   Symptoms of Toxicity (Aśuddha Viṣa Lakṣaṇa): Prolonged external application of the Lepa (paste) can cause redness and skin eruptions (erythema and Pīṭikā). Internal use can lead to hypotension.

   Antidote & Treatment (Viṣa Chikitsā): Specific antidotal measures are not mentioned in the source text. Management would involve discontinuing the herb and treating symptoms (e.g., cooling therapies for skin irritation, supportive care for hypotension).

 7. Modern Scientific Correlates

   Chemical Composition:

    Stem Bark: Saponins, Tannins.

    Root Bark: Lupeol, Systesterol (likely a transcription of β-Sitosterol), Stearic Acid, and other fatty acids.

   Research Notes:

1.  Certain fractions exhibit significant anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity. Prolonged use can cause hypotension.

2.  Whole plant powder improved bladder tone in patients with prostatic enlargement post-operatively.

3.  Found effective in removing smaller ureteric and bladder stones in both experimental and clinical settings.

4.  Used beneficially in urinary tract infections.