Varuna in Ayurveda: Properties & Everyday Use

What it is

Varuna is the stem bark of Crataeva nurvala Buch.-Ham. (family Capparidaceae), also known under the synonyms C. magna and C. religiosa: a medium-sized deciduous tree of riverbanks across India (Bhattacharjee et al., Future J Pharm Sci 2020). The stem bark is the principal drug part; reported constituents include lupeol, betulinic acid, diosgenin and beta-sitosterol (same review).

Classical properties

• Taste (rasa): bitter (Tikta), astringent (Kashaya)
• Qualities (guna): light (Laghu), dry (Ruksha)
• Potency (virya): warming (Ushna)
• After digestion (vipaka): pungent (Katu)
• Doshas: traditionally said to settle Vata and Kapha; may increase Pitta

Traditional use

In Ayurveda, varuna is a classical drug for the urinary system. The Bhavaprakasha Nighantu records it for suppressing difficulty in micturition and urolithiasis (urinary stones), and the stem bark is used in formulations for kidney stones, prostatic enlargement and other bladder and urinary disorders (Bhattacharjee et al. 2020). Traditional sources also describe the root and bark as laxative and lithotriptic (stone-dissolving) (same review). These are traditional uses, not clinical proof: the human evidence is assessed separately below.

What research has looked at

Prostate enlargement (BPH) — one polyherbal trial

A 6-month human study of PR-2000, a polyherbal formulation containing Tribulus terrestris, Caesalpinia bonducella, Asparagus racemosus, Areca catechu and Crataeva nurvala, in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia reported decreased prostate volume (Shukla et al., 2002, as cited in the discussion of the 2015 Croton membranaceus BPH study). Because this was a multi-herb formula, the result cannot be attributed to varuna alone, and design details are not reported in the citing source.

Urinary stones (urolithiasis)

A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis of traditional Indian medicine for urolithiasis reported positive outcomes but found the underlying data limited, concluding that extensive long-term evidence is still needed (Rathi et al., J Clin Diagn Res 2024). Animal work is more direct: a stem-bark decoction prevented stone formation in rats, and the constituent lupeol showed anti-urolithiatic activity in vivo (Bhattacharjee et al. 2020). These are animal findings, not proof in people.

One small uncontrolled human stone study

The only human study of varuna alone found is Deshpande et al. (1982), in which 46 patients with kidney, bladder or ureter stones drank C. nurvala stem-bark decoction for 1–47 weeks. 28 passed stones within 1–4 weeks and 18 reported symptomatic relief. Another 27 patients in the report received surgery, but they were not a comparison group: the study had no blinding and no concurrent control, and spontaneous stone passage (cited in the report itself at 10–33%) cannot be ruled out. This account comes from a 2007 trade-publication summary by Sabinsa, a company that markets a C. nurvala extract, not from the original 1982 paper (Sabinsa trade summary of Deshpande et al., Indian J Med Res 1982). This is weak evidence, not proof that varuna dissolves stones.

What the evidence does not support (yet)

No randomized trial of varuna alone exists for any condition. The single small uncontrolled stone study does not prove that varuna dissolves kidney stones, and there is no clinical proof that varuna treats prostate enlargement or relieves urinary symptoms in people.

Safety notes

There are no dedicated human safety trials of varuna. In animals, stem extracts caused partial and complete absorption of implants in rats and estrogen-like effects in immature mice: a reproductive signal whose relevance to humans is unknown (Bhattacharjee et al. 2020). As a precaution, avoid varuna in pregnancy and when trying to conceive, and consult a practitioner otherwise. Urinary obstruction, inability to pass urine, severe colic or blood in urine are medical emergencies: do not self-treat these with varuna; see a urologist.

FAQs

What is varuna used for in Ayurveda?

Classically for urinary stones (urolithiasis), difficult or painful urination, and prostatic enlargement: the stem bark is the part used (Bhattacharjee et al. 2020).

Does varuna dissolve kidney stones?

Not proven. One small uncontrolled 1982 study reported that 28 of 46 stone patients given varuna decoction passed their stones, but it had no control group or blinding, so it cannot show varuna caused this. Animal studies show anti-stone effects (Sabinsa trade summary of Deshpande et al. 1982; Bhattacharjee et al. 2020; Rathi et al. 2024).

Does varuna help prostate enlargement (BPH)?

One 6-month trial of a polyherbal formula containing varuna reported reduced prostate volume, but the effect cannot be assigned to varuna alone. No trial of varuna alone for BPH exists (PMC 2015 review).

Is varuna safe?

There are no dedicated human safety trials. Animal studies reported reproductive effects (implant absorption in rats), so it should be avoided in pregnancy and when trying to conceive as a precaution (Bhattacharjee et al. 2020).

Can I use varuna instead of prescribed prostate or stone medication?

No. The evidence does not support replacing prescribed treatment, and urinary symptoms need proper urological evaluation.

Sources

• Bhattacharjee S et al. "Botanical description, phytochemistry, traditional uses, and pharmacology of Crataeva nurvala Buch. Ham.: an updated review." Future Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2020. — link.springer.com
• Rathi B et al. "Improvement in the Outcome of Urolithiasis Patients using Traditional Indian Medicine: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis." Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research. 2024;18(6):KC06–KC11. — jcdr.net
• "Shrinkage of Prostate and Improved Quality of Life: Management of BPH Patients with Croton membranaceus Ethanolic Root Extract." Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2015. — PMC · PMC4461762 (discussion cites Shukla et al. 2002, the PR-2000 BPH study)
• Majeed M, Prakash L. "A standardized natural extract offers comprehensive urinary health support and more." Phytopharmaceuticals (Sabinsa trade publication). 2007 Nov/Dec. — sabinsa.vn (secondhand summary of Deshpande PJ, Sahu M, Kumar P. "Crataeva nurvala Hook. and Forst. (varuna) — the Ayurvedic drug of choice in urinary disorders." Indian J Med Res. 1982;76(Suppl):46–53)

Disclaimer

This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Herbal products can interact with medications and are not suitable for everyone. Talk to a qualified healthcare practitioner before use — especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, managing a medical condition, or taking prescription medicines.