Envis Centre, Ministry of Environment & Forest, Govt. of India

Printed Date: Saturday, June 3, 2023

Three-Leaved Caper

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Botanical Name

Crataeva religiosa

Common Name      

Three-leaved caper, Barun (Hindi), Mavilankai (Tamil), Varuna (Sanskrit)  

Distribution

Throughout India 

 

Religious association

 

 

 

The tree is sacred to Lord Shiva and the leaves are used to worship Him, especially on Mahashivaratri. The tree is also sacred to Rahu (Planet Neptune), one of the nine planets or the navagrahas.

 

Uses

 

 

 

 

The plant is very important in traditional medicine. It is used as a cure for urinary infections. The bark and leaves are used to cure rheumatic pain and swellings.