# Varuna

> Varuna (Crateva nurvala) is a plant used in Ayurveda. Betulinic acid similarly shows poor absorption. Saponins (varunosides) undergo partial hydrolysis by gut bacteria enhancing aglycone absorption. Glucosinolates (glucocapparin) are well absorbed and metabolized to bioactive isothiocyanates by myrosinase or gut bacteria.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Crateva nurvala

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Varuna |

## Ayurvedic pharmacology (Dravyaguna)

| Property | Value | Description |
|----------|-------|-------------|
| **Rasa** (Taste) | Tikta, Kashaya | Primary taste |
| **Guna** (Quality) | Laghu, Ruksha | Physical quality |
| **Virya** (Potency) | Ushna | Heating/Cooling effect |
| **Vipaka** (Post-digestive) | Katu | Post-digestive effect |

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (bark powder), Kwatha (decoction), Capsule, Tablet, Asava/Arishta (fermented liquid), [Ghrita](/herb/ghrita/) (medicated ghee)

**Standard Dosage:** 3-6 g bark powder twice daily; 50-100 mL decoction twice daily; 15-30 mL Varunadi Kwatha twice daily

**Bioavailability:** [Lupeol](/reference/lupeol/) (pentacyclic triterpene) has very low oral bioavailability (<5%) due to extreme lipophilicity; lipid-based formulations or nanoparticle encapsulation can improve this 5-10 fold. Betulinic acid similarly shows poor absorption. [Saponins](/reference/saponins/) (varunosides) undergo partial hydrolysis by gut bacteria enhancing aglycone absorption. [Glucosinolates](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#glucosinolates) (glucocapparin) are well absorbed and metabolized to bioactive [isothiocyanates](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#isothiocyanates) by [myrosinase](/glossary/compounds-l-o/#myrosinase) or gut bacteria.

**Optimal Timing:** Before meals on empty stomach for urinary conditions; morning dosing with first urine output to observe [diuretic](/reference/diuretic/) effect

**Standardized Extract:** Bark extract standardized to >0.5% lupeol by HPLC; >5% total saponins by gravimetric method; glucocapparin/glucocleomin content quantified by HPLC

**Shelf Life:** Bark powder: 18-24 months; Capsules/Tablets: 24-36 months; Decoction: prepare fresh daily; Arishta: 36-60 months

**Storage:** Bark powder in airtight, moisture-proof containers at 15-25 deg C. Protect from insects (bark material susceptible to borers). Decoction containers should be glass or stainless steel.

**Marker Compounds:** Lupeol, Betulinic acid, [Friedelin](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#friedelin), beta-[Sitosterol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sitosterol), Glucocapparin, Glucocleomin, Varunosides, [Diosgenin](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#diosgenin) (trace)

### Extraction Methods

- Aqueous decoction of bark
- Hydroethanolic extraction (60-70% ethanol)
- Methanol extraction for triterpenoid enrichment
- Sequential extraction (hexane then ethanol) for fractionation
- Supercritical CO2 for lupeol-rich fraction

### Synergistic Combinations

- [Gokshura](/herb/gokshura/) (Tribulus terrestris) - synergistic litholytic and diuretic action (Varunadi formulations)
- Pashanbheda (Bergenia ligulata) - stone-dissolving combination
- [Shilajit](/herb/shilajit/) - mineral-rich adjunct for urinary conditions
- [Punarnava](/herb/punarnava/) (Boerhavia diffusa) - renal supportive synergy
- [Yavakshara](/herb/yavakshara/) (barley alkali) - alkalinizing combination for urinary pH management

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/varuna/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.