Varuna
Varuna is a famous diuretic Ayurvedic herb. It is also a good blood purifier that helps to maintain homeostasis. Varuna tree is up to 10 meter high. Its grey white, smooth, longitudinally wrinkled bark is 2-3 mm thick. Leaves are trifoliate, alternate and extipulate. Flowers are bisexual and creamy white. It’s botanical name is Crataeva nurvala which belongs to Capparidaceae family.
Chemical Constituents –
Crataeva nurvala contain wide variety of medicinally important chemical constituents viz. lupeol, sitosterol, rutin, quercitin, friedelin, diosgenin, sitosterol, butulinic acid and betulinaldehyde and many more. Lupeol, the major component isolated from stem bark.
Properties –
• Antioxidant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-hepatotoxicity
• Antitumor
• Cytoprotective (process by which chemical compounds provide protection to cells against harmful agents)
• Chemoprotective
• Antiurolithic activity
• Diuretic
• Laxative
• Astringent
• Contraceptive
Parts Used –
The bark and leaves of the tree are the mainly used for medicinal purpose.
Dosage –
• Varuna Churna – 5 grams bark powder, twice day, is taken orally.
• Varuna Kwath – 20-30 g of the bark powder for decoction.
Benefits –
• It is effective herbal remedy for prevention and treatment of the kidney stones.
• It cures various obstructive conditions of the urinary tract.
• It reduces chronic inflammation.
• It improves appetite and digestive power.
• It detoxifies blood.
• It can be taken safely by the people who suffer from recurrent stone formation.
Ayurvedic Formulations –
• Varunadi Ghrita
• Varunadi kwath for Kidney Stone Treatment
• Varunadi kwath / Varanadi Kashaya
• Prabhanjana Vimardhana thailam
Side Effects –
Because it is a good diuretic herb, it should be used carefully in people who are already taking allopathic diuretics and medicines for BP.
Seek medical advice during pregnancy. It is safe to use during lactation and in children.
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