Crataeva, Varuna

Three Leaved Caper
Varuna (Ayurveda)
Maranlingan (Siddha)
Barana (Unani)

Crataeva. religiosa
Blanco, Flora de Filipinas. (1875)

Crataeva religiosa
(Photo by Rison Thumboor) (Wikimedia)

Uses:

1. Clears Wind-Damp, Promotes Urine:

-Cystitis, chronic Urinary Tract Infections
-Kidney and Bladder Stones (since Charaka)
-Edema, Enuresis, Incontinence
-Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
-Joint pain and stiffness; Arthritis, Rheumatism

2. Clears Phlegm, Resolves Masses:

-internal Abscess
-Scrofula, Lymphatic swellings
-abdominal masses (Sushruta)
-Hemorrhoids (Sushruta)
-Atherosclerosis, high Cholesterol

3. Promotes Digestion, Directs Stomach Qi Down:

-Indigestion in nervous (Vata) types
-Belching, hiccups, Nausea
-Abdominal Distension, Bloating
-regulates bowels with its downward action
-said to strengthen Digestive Fire (Agni) in Ayurveda

4. Strengthens the Spleen:

-it has been recommended as an anti-ageing medicine (powder taken with Honey)
-has been used for Diabetes

5. Kills Worms:

-Worm infestation

6. Externally:

-paste is applied to Boils and Abscesses
-bark paste is applied to skin diseases
-extract of the root bark with Honey is applied to scrofula and lymphatic swellings
-in Myanmar the root is prepared as a paste and applied to hard tumors
-root made into a paste is used topically for Edema, Fluid Swelling and Swollen painful Joints

Main Combinations:

1. Kidney and Bladder Stones, Dysuria:
i. Tribulus with Crataeva bark, Ginger as a decoction with Honey
ii. Crataeva, Tribulus, Boerhaavia, Licorice
iii. Crateva, Tribulus, Shatavari (Asparagus), Tinospora, Tephrosia
2. Urinary disorders, chronic Urinary Tract Infections and Irritations,, Crataeva, Tribulus, Bergenia ligulata, Woodfordia, Ginger
3. Scrofula, Lymphatic Swellings:
i. Crataeva, Boerhaavia, Bdellium, Ginger
4. Abdominal distension, Crataeva with fresh Ginger and Greater Cardamon