Garlic Pear Tree: A Sacred Plant with Medicinal Values

English name: Garlic pear tree, Caper tree 

Hindi names: Barna, Barni, Varuna

Sanskrit name: Varun

Botanical name: Crateva adansonii subsp. odora  

Family: Capparaceae

Distribution: It is native to the dry tropical parts of India, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam.

The adoration of the divine in nature is an integral part of many cultures in the world. Indians worship nature in the forms of plants, animals, rivers, mountains, air, fire, and Mother Earth. Many plant species have been associated with Gods and Goddesses in Hinduism and are part of rituals and traditions. One such sacred plant of God is Barna or garlic pear tree. It is worshiped throughout the country to bring prosperity and has many medicinal properties as well.  

PLANT MORPHOLOGY 

Barna is a medium-sized deciduous tree that can grow to a height of up to 15 m. The stem is greyish in colour with smooth bark. Leaves are petiolate, trifoliate, and clustered at the tips of branches. Leaflets are obovate-oblong or lanceolate, acuminate, entire, and glabrous. Flowers are white, cream, or pale yellow in colour and 5-8 cm in diameter. They are arranged in many-flowered, lax, terminal corymbs. Sepals are 4, deciduous and pale green. Petals are 4, long-clawed, oblong-obovate or spathulate and white, cream, or pale yellow in colour. Stamens are many, with slender filaments, and longer than the petals. Ovary is seated on an elongated gynophore. The fruit is 3-5 cm long, ovoid and has many-seeded berry. 

Sacred Uses: 

Barna is considered sacred throughout India. It is planted in front of houses to get rid of evil spirits and black magic. It is considered to bring prosperity. There is a popular saying in Bilaspur area that: 

 जिस्दे अँगना बर्ना, तिसो कजो डरना 

(One who has Barna in front of his house need not fear. Here fear stands for the fear of evil spirits and black magic) 

Medicinal Uses: 

Barna has anti-inflammatory, diuretic (increases the flow of urine), lithotripsic (used for dissolving stones in the bladder or kidneys) and demulcent (having a soothing effect on skin) properties. It is also considered useful in urinary tract infections, pain and burning sensation during urination.  

Indian Postal Stamp on Barna Tree