Overview
Varuna is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for gas and flatulence. The bark of varuna is a renowned diuretic helping to clear pain and stones from the bladder and kidneys.
How Varuna Helps with Gas and Flatulence
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Varuna has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing gas and flatulence:
- Potency (Virya): Heating
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Pungent
- Taste (Rasa): Bitter, sweet, astringent
- Qualities (Guna): Dry, light
Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Bitter, sweet, astringent
- Quality (Guna)
- Dry, light
- Potency (Virya)
- Heating
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Pungent
- Dosha Effect
- Dos.aHIIHFW9.ï3
- Key Constituents
- Alkaloids Cadabicine Tannins Triterpenes Diosgenin, շVLWRVWHUROOXSHRO Flavonoids Rutin, quercetin (Williamson 2002)
- Dhatu
- Blood, fat, bone
- Srotas
- Digestive, circulatory, urinary, excretory
▶ Classical Text References (3 sources)
96 तकार व णं वाद ु स त तं कफवातिजत ् वषा वौ कालशाकं च स ारं कटु त तकम ् द पनं भेदनं हि त गरशोफकफा नलान ् Tarkari and varuna are sweet and slightly better and mitigate kapha and vata.
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food
Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food
), venu varuna (crataeva nurvala Buch-Ham), agnimantha (Clerodendrum phlomidis Linn.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 14: Hemorrhoids Treatment (Arsha Chikitsa / अर्शचिकित्सा)
An amulet made of Varuna (Crataeva nurvala) and Arishta (soapberry) wood, along with Ruchaka and Sainduka, should be constantly worn.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 31: Revatipratishedha
Kapotavanka, Arluka, Varuna (Crataeva nurvala), Paribhadraka (Erythrina indica), and Asphota should be used for sprinkling on children.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 32: Putanapratishedha
In the varuna group powder, chira should be cooked in half water.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 26: Chapter 26
The Varunadi Gana consists of: varuna, artagala, shigru (drumstick), madhu, shagrutaka, karkari, mesha-shringi, putika, naktamala, morata, agnimantha, saireyaka (two types), bimbi, vasuka, vasira, chitraka, shatavari, bilva, ajashringi, darbha, and two brihatis (verse 10).
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 38: Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs
The Vata-pacifying group includes: bhadradaru, kushtha, turmeric, varuna, mesha-shringi, bala, atibala, artagala, kachchura, shallaki, kuberachi, virataru, sahachara, agnimantha, vatsadani, eranda, ashmabhedaka, kalakarka, shatavari, punarnava, vasuka, vashiraka, achchhanaka, bhargi, karpa, sivrishchikali, pattura, badara, yava, kola, kulattha, and others from the Vidarigandhadi group (verse 7).
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 39: Shodhanasanshmaniya Adhyaya - On Purification and Pacification
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 31: Revatipratishedha; Uttara Tantra, Chapter 32: Putanapratishedha; Uttara Tantra, Chapter 26: Chapter 26; Sutra Sthana, Chapter 38: Dravyasangrahaniya Adhyaya - On the Collection of Drugs; Sutra Sthana, Chapter 39: Shodhanasanshmaniya Adhyaya - On Purification and Pacification
Safety & Precautions
Contraindications: Pregnancy, due to its descending; action
Safety: No drug–herb interactions are known.
Other Herbs for Gas and Flatulence
See all herbs for gas and flatulence on the Gas and Flatulence page.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.