Varanadi Ghritam
Varanadi Ghritam is a classical Ayurvedic ghrita, a medicated ghee. Referenced in Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy publications (1986, 2004); listed in Ayurvedic Formulary of India.
| Also known as | Varanadi Ghritam, VaranadiGhritam |
|---|---|
| Pharmacopoeia status | Referenced in Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine & Homoeopathy publications (1986, 2004); listed in Ayurvedic Formulary of India |
The evidence at a glance
1paper on this site for this drug, every one with a DOI.
- 1Laboratory and animal studies
A count is not a conclusion and a tier is a study design, not a verdict. Everything listed here is laboratory or animal work, which does not show an effect in people.true See the research index for how papers are tiered.
Names and identification
| Language | Name |
|---|---|
| English | Varanadi Ghritam |
Key Ingredients
- Varana (Crataeva religiosa)
- Sairyaka (Strobilanthes ciliatus)
- Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus)
- Chitraka (Plumbago zeylanica)
- Bilva (Aegle marmelos)
- Brihati (Solanum indicum)
- Karanja (Pongamia glabra)
- Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)
- Moringa (Moringa oleifera)
- Darbha (Desmostachya bipinnata)
- Bhallataka (Semecarpus anacardium)
- Ghrita (clarified cow butter)
Where is it described in the classical texts?
Ashtanga Hridayam (Varunadi Gana by Vagbhata Acharya); Bhaishajya Ratnavali (Uttmanaga/head diseases context)
How does it work?
- Varana (Crataeva religiosa) is classically described as having Lekhana (scraping) action, traditionally used for abnormal tissue growths, cysts, and lipomas
- Chitraka (plumbagin) enhances Agni and metabolism, reducing Kapha-Meda accumulation that underlies tumor and cyst formation
- Bhallataka (Semecarpus anacardium) is traditionally used as an adjuvant in Arbuda (tumors)
- Srotoshodhana (channel-clearing) action of combined herbs is classically described as removing obstructions in body channels
- Ghee base delivers lipophilic active compounds to deep tissues (Meda, Asthi dhatu) where tumors and lipomas reside
Which traditional uses are supported by research?
These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.
- Granthi (tumors/cysts): traditionally used for tumors and cysts. Case reports have described Varanadi Ghritam-based protocols used in lipoma and abnormal growths.
- Arbuda (tumors/cancer adjuvant): traditionally used as an adjuvant for tumors. A clinical study in head and neck cancer patients reported biological response modifier activity.
- Medoroga (obesity/metabolic disorders): traditionally used for obesity and metabolic disorders. Pharmacological studies have reported Lekhana and Medohara actions for its ingredients.
- Gulma (abdominal masses): traditionally used for abdominal growths, with channel-clearing and anti-Kapha actions described in classical practice.
What do recent studies show?
- Ravindran D, Hariharan I, Muwonge R and others 2014. Efficacy of Varunadi Ghritha (polyherbal compound) in treated head and neck cancer cases as a biological response modifier. Ayu. PMID 25558162 · doi:10.4103/0974-8520.146236
Varanadi Ghrita demonstrated biological response modifier activity in treated head and neck cancer patients, supporting immune function post-treatment
Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. Classical formulations are researched largely in journals that PubMed does not index, so an absence here reflects the reach of the index rather than the state of the evidence.
Recent safety updates
- No adverse effects reported in medical literature at recommended doses
- Bhallataka (marking nut) is a potent herb requiring proper Shodhana (purification); improperly processed formulations may cause skin irritation
- Pharmacopoeia Commission for Indian Medicine references available from 1986 and 2004 publications for quality standards
What is it made of?
Key Active Markers
- Derived from constituent herbs (see individual herb profiles)
- Standardized on primary bioactive markers
Dosage forms and preparation
Dosage Forms: Ghrita (medicated ghee), Capsule (for convenience)
Standard Dosage: 12-24ml before meals
Optimal Timing: Before meals on empty stomach for best absorption
Storage: Airtight glass/stainless steel container, cool dry place, protected from light and moisture
Marker Compounds: Lupeol, Plumbagin
Vehicle (Anupana): Warm water or warm milk
Synergistic Combinations
- Key herbs: Varuna, Chitraka, Agni herbs in ghee; ghee enhances tissue penetration (yogavahi property)
Published research
Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.
Laboratory and animal studies1
Reviewed by Dr. Awadesh Pratap Singh, BAMS, on 11 October 2026. What that review covered.
Consult a qualified vaidya before acting on anything here. Ayurvedic practice is prescribed to a person, not to a condition: the same dravya is given, withheld or substituted depending on your constitution, your agni, the season and what else you are already taking. A page cannot know any of that. Self-prescribing from a reference is how the wrong preparation, the wrong dose or the wrong anupana gets used.
Educational reference only. Nothing on this page is medical advice, a diagnosis, or a recommendation to take anything. Traditional uses and research findings are reported as published, not as claims about what any product does. If you take prescribed medication, raise any interaction with the prescriber rather than acting on a page. See our editorial standards.