Sans.

Varuna.

Asmarighna.

Vern. Barun, Beng. Hind.

The bark of the stem and root of this plant constitutes the principal medicine of the Hindu Pharmacopoeia, for calculous affections. It is said to promote the appetite, increase the secretion of the bile, act as a laxative and remove disorders of the urinary organs.

In calculous affections it is used in a great variety of forms. Thus a simple decoction of the bark may be given with the addition of treacle.1 A compound decoction is prepared along with equal parts of Tribulus terrestris (gokshura) and ginger, and is administered with the addition of yavahshάra and honey.2 A compound powder called Varunzdya churn3 is prepared as follows. A solution of the ashes of varuna is made as directed under the head of alkaline water (Kshάrodaka). This solution is boiled with the addition of varuna bark in powder and yavakshάra (impure carbonate of potash), till the water is entirely evaporated. The resulting powder is given in ascites, calculus, enlargements of the abdominal viscera, and affections of the bladder and uterus. A confection called Varunάdya guda is prepared by adding to the fluid extract of the bark, treacle and a number of diuretic and aromatic substances.

Varunάdya ghritaa4 Take of coarsely powdered varuna bark twelve seers and a half, water sixty-four seers, boil together till reduced to one-fourth and strain. To the strained decoction, add four seers of clarified butter, and two tolas each of the following ubstances in the form of a paste, namely, varuna bark, unripe _________________________________________ plantains, beta fruit, the five roots called trinaja pancha mulaka (see Sugarcane), gulancha, leaves of Coleus aromaticus (asmabheda), cucumber seeds, Acorus Calamus root, bamboo-manna, the ashes of Sesamum Indicum (tila), and of Butea frondosa (palasa) and the root of Jasminum auriculatum (juthikά). Boil them together and prepare a ghrita in the usual way. It may be given in doses of one to two tolas, according to the constitution of the patient. After this medicine is digested, butter-milk and treacle should be taken.

Varunάdya taila.1 This is an oil prepared with varuna bark, for injection into the bladder. Take of varuna bark and of the entire plant of Tribulus terrestris (gokshura ), two seers each, water sixty-four seers, boil together till reduced to one-fourth and strain. Boil this strained decoction with four seers of prepared sesamum oil and half a seer each, of the above mentioned drugs in the form of paste. This oil is recommended to be injected into the bladder, for the relief of painful micturition, calculus and gravel.

In scrofulous enlargement of the glands under the lower jaw, a decoction2 of varuna bark is prescribed by several writers. It is said to cure even old standing cases. In internal or deep seated suppurative inflammation, a decoction of varuna and Boer-haavia diffusa (punarnavά) is given internally.3