Three-leaf caper

Sanskrit name: Varuna
Botanical name: Crataeva Nurvala ,Crataeva Magna
Habitat: Three-leaf caper is native to India

Energetics:

• Rasa (tatse): Bitter, Astringent
• Virya (action): Heating
• Vipaka (post-digestive effects): Pungent
• Doshas (constitution): Balances kapha and vata, increases pitta

General information

Three leaf caper's barks have medicinal properties and is mainly used for herbal preparation of Ayurvedic medicines. The bark has anti-inflammatory activity The extract of varuna displays antibacterial activity against Shigella and Salmonella. It cures Chronic urinary infection and urinary electrolyte excretion. Varuna decoction reduces the urinary excretion of sodium and magnesium. It was also found to increase the 'spontaneous' passage of renal and bladder calculi. In patients with prostatic hypertrophy, varuna decoction increases the force of detrussor contrac- tion, reducing the volume of residual urine. This action, through which stagnation of urine is reduced, combined with its anti-inflammatory property, may explain the antiseptic action of varuna on the urinary tract.

In ayurvedic practice, varuna is used as a litholytic agent, in treating 'Kapha' and 'Vata' varieties of ashmari (calculi). It also clears crystalluria (sharkara). It is the drug of choice in all kapha disorders of the urinary tract, and in renal and bladder calculi. It is also used as a cholagogue, anti-helmintic and antiameobic in both intestinal and hepatic infestation. Its action as an anti-inflammatory agent is utilized in its use in deep-seated suppurative inflammations, in small. joint, diseases and in osteomyelitis. It is also used as an antipyretic.