The short answer
Varunadi Kwath is a decoction made from four herbs in equal parts: varuna bark, pashanabheda root, dry ginger and gokshura fruit. An alkali, yavakshara, is stirred into the finished decoction. The formulary lists it for one thing, ashmari, which means stones, usually read as urinary or kidney stones. We have not found a study of it in people.
Gokshura has its own interaction pages, including blood pressure medicines, lithium and diabetes medicines. Some products sold under this name are marketed for weight and cholesterol instead, so check what your pack is. If you have kidney disease or take lithium, a water pill or blood pressure medicine, tell your doctor before you start it.
What is in it
The official recipe is in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Part II, formulation 4:22.[1]
| Ingredient | Botanical name | Part used | Proportion |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varuna tvak (varuna bark) | Crataeva nurvala | Stem bark | 1 part |
| Shila (pashanabheda, pakhanbhed) | Bergenia ligulata | Root | 1 part |
| Shunthi (dry ginger, saunth) | Zingiber officinale | Rhizome | 1 part |
| Gokshura (gokhru) | Tribulus terrestris | Fruit | 1 part |
| Yavakshara (barley alkali), added to the decoction | - | - | As needed |
From the government e-book copy of Part II, checked against its page images; we have not yet seen the printed Part II. The 2023 amendment does not change this entry. The herbs are sold as a coarse powder for making the decoction.[1]
Classical source
The formulary takes the recipe from the Chakradatta, Ashmari Chikitsa (treatment of stones), verse 29. The verse names the four herbs, made into a decoction and combined with kshara (alkali), and says it breaks up gravel (sharkara).[1]
What it is used for
- The formulary lists it for ashmari (stones, usually read as urinary stones).[1]
What the evidence says
We have not found a study of this formulation itself that we could check. That says nothing either way about whether it works.
Safety notes
- Contains an alkali: yavakshara is added to the decoction as a prakshepa (an additive stirred in at the end).[1]
- Contains gokshura (Tribulus terrestris). See Gokshura and blood pressure medicines, Gokshura and lithium, and Gokshura and metformin.[2]
- Kerala Ayurveda sells a Varunadi Kwath and a tablet marketed for weight and lipid metabolism, not stones. The recipe on those packs may differ from the formulary's, so read the label.
- We found no study that reports side effects of Varunadi Kwath in people. That is a gap in the evidence, not a sign that there are none.
Who makes it
Sold in India by makers including Kerala Ayurveda. We list names so you can match your bottle to this page. We do not recommend or sell any brand.
Withheld until review
Related
Gokshura (gokhru) and blood pressure medicines
Gokshura lowered blood pressure on its own in one trial, so it could add to BP medicines. We found no study of the two taken together.
InteractionGokshura (gokhru) and lithium
Tribulus may act as a diuretic, and lithium levels rise when the body loses water or salt. We found no study of the two together.
FormulationPunarnavadi Mandoor
An Ayurvedic iron medicine for pandu, read as anaemia. Two small Indian studies saw blood counts rise; neither used a placebo.
FormulationDashamoola Kwath
A decoction powder of ten roots, used for chest pain, fever and cough. In a lab test it reduced platelet clumping, like aspirin.
Sources
- Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Part II. Varunadi Kvatha Curna, 4:22 (government e-book copy, pages 53-54; the printed edition has not been checked).
- Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Part I. List of single drugs of plant origin: Varuna, Crataeva nurvala; Shilabheda (Pashanabheda), Bergenia ligulata; Gokshura, Tribulus terrestris.
Awaiting review by The Good Vaidya Medical Board. Prepared from the sources below and checked against each one.
Published 4 November 2026 · Last updated 4 November 2026
Wondering whether Varunadi Kwath suits you? Ask a vaidya who reads your whole file first.
Consult · ₹600