Arjuna, also known as Terminalia arjuna, is a well-known Indian medicinal plant whose bark has long been utilized as a cardio-tonic substance.
Arjuna is a deciduous evergreen tree that grows up to 20 to 25 meters in height. The red inner bark has a long history of being prized for its healing abilities, particularly as a heart tonic.
The swampy, damp sub-Himalayan areas of India and Sri Lanka are Arjuna’s homelands. Arjuna is Kapha-pitta-ghana, or astringent in flavor, cool in nature, and calms the Kapha and pitta doshas.
Arjuna, which in Sanskrit means brilliant, white, or gleaming, gets its name from the fact that its bark is white.
It falls under the category of medicinal herbs known as Eduardo-prashaman which relieves itching. In this article, we will be looking at all about the arjuna herb.
What Is An Arjuna Herb?
The bark of the Terminalia Arjuna tree, often known as Arjuna or simply Arjuna, is used medicinally in Ayurveda to support the health of the heart’s circulatory system.
It has a wide range of bioactive, with the water extract showing potential for enhancing the left ventricular function[1] of the heart when taken at 500 mg three times per day (every 8 hours).
The cardiovascular properties of Arjuna may increase anaerobic cardiovascular performance in healthy individuals, although this last claim has a single study in support of it and no replicator studies.
Other potential uses of Arjuna include protection[2] against liver and kidney damage likely mediated by antioxidative properties.
Arjuna bark has been the subject of much human research, however many of them have small sample sizes.
However, myocardial infarction is the condition that has been the subject of the most research in this area, and the water extract appears to be beneficial in restoring heart function in people who have recently experienced cardiac trauma or injury.
Benefits Of Arjuna Herb
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May Control Your Blood Sugar Levels
Diabetes causes blood sugar levels to rise, which increases the risk of organ damage and the onset of many different[3] problems. However, the bark of the Arjun tree can be powdered and used to control blood sugar.
To achieve this, grind some dried berries and Arjun’s bark into a powder, which you should take each day before bed. Additionally, this will return your body’s insulin production to normal. This would be among the effective methods to lower insulin levels.
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May Reduce Your Stress Levels
Arjuna bark can dramatically[4] lessen chest pain by reducing cortisol in those who are anxious.
Due to its ability to lower blood pressure, control HDL levels, and improve exercise tolerance, arjuna can also benefit those with stable angina.
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May Keep Your Heart Healthy
It contains glycosides and tannins, arjuna has antioxidant properties that protect the blood vessels and heart muscles.
This herb opens the blood arteries and dissolves plaque to increase blood flow. It strengthens the heart muscles naturally by acting as a cardiac tonic. This plant controls excessive blood pressure, palpitations, and a rapid heartbeat.
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May Decrease Lung Inflammation
Arjuna can assist in managing lung conditions like cough, asthma, and bronchitis, as well as, according to Ayurveda, different lung conditions[5] like bronchitis.
Side Effects Of Arjuna Herb
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During Pregnancy
The Terminalia arjuna plant may be unsafe[6] during pregnancy so it is advisable to steer clear of it during that time.
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Bleeding Disorders
Consuming Terminalia arjuna may make bruising[1] and bleeding worse for those who have bleeding disorders because it is known to slow down blood coagulation.
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While Breastfeeding
There is no proof that the arjuna herb plant is either safe or hazardous[7] for breastfeeding mothers. Therefore, it is best to avoid using it. This could also affect infants’ health through its consumption.
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After Conducting Surgery
It is advised to cease using Terminalia arjuna about two weeks before surgery because it slows down the blood clotting[8] process and affects blood sugar regulation.
Precautions While Considering Arjuna Herb
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Ongoing Liver Complications
Arjuna should be avoided by those who have a liver illness or other life issues because it can make these diseases worse.
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For Gastrointestinal Illness
Arjuna is a potent diuretic that, if not taken with enough water, can result in dehydration in patients with gastrointestinal problems[9]. Additionally, Arjuna is known to cause diarrhea and upset stomachs.
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Alongwith Anticoagulant
Arjuna consumption should be restricted for patients receiving anticoagulant medications. When used with certain medications[10], arjuna may increase the risk of bleeding.
Dosage Of Arjuna Herb
Depending on the patient’s age, severity, and condition, the effective therapeutic dosage may change from person to person.
It is imperative to get advice from an ayurvedic physician, who will carefully study the signs and provide the right dosage for a given time frame.
The herbal mixture is secure enough for use by adults, older people, and children. It is advised to take it a minimum of once or a maximum of twice daily.
The portion might range from 12 ml to 24 ml. It can be consumed either raw or in combination with lukewarm milk or water.
Conclusion
Today, people use the arjuna herb for cardiovascular disease, which includes heart disease and its associated chest pain, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
Additionally, it is employed as a water pill and is used to treat earaches, dysentery, STDs, urinary tract illnesses, and to arouse sexual desire. It has proven to have a lot of benefits for everyone in the long run.
Arjuna herb is typically available as tablets, capsules, or powder. There is still no conclusive answer regarding the ideal arjuna dosage.
It’s because different people may react differently to the supplement depending on things like their age, weight, and general health.
Additionally, individual differences in desired outcomes may exist. It is a revered herbal treatment with numerous health advantages.
Chest pain, heart obstruction, myocardial infarction, ischemic cardiomyopathy, etc. are all treated with great relevance by it.
One can avoid side effects and take advantage of the numerous health advantages if the right dosage is used.
References/Sources
Working4Health prefers using primary and verified references. We have strict sourcing guidelines and our primary references include peer-reviewed research, academic, and medical institution studies.
- Shridhar Dwivedi and Deepti Chopra. Revisiting Terminalia arjuna – An Ancient Cardiovascular Drug. J Tradit Complement Med. 2014 Oct-Dec; 4(4): 224–231. doi: 10.4103/2225-4110.139103.
- Augustine Amalraj and Sreeraj Gopi. Medicinal properties of Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight & Arn.: A review. J Tradit Complement Med. 2017 Jan; 7(1): 65–78. Published online 2016 Mar 20. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2016.02.003
- B Raghavan and S Krishna Kumari. Effect of Terminalia arjuna stem bark on antioxidant status in liver and kidney of alloxan diabetic rats. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2006 Apr-Jun;50(2):133-42. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17051732/
- Acharya Balkrishna, Yashika Rustagi, Meenu Tomer, et. al. Divya-Arjuna-Kwath (Terminalia arjuna) and Divya-HridyAmrit-Vati ameliorate isoproterenol-induced hypertrophy in murine cardiomyocytes through modulation of oxidative stress. Available from: https://pubag.nal.usda.gov/catalog/7402519
- Himanshu Meghwani, Pankaj Prabhakar, Soheb A Mohammed, et. al. Beneficial effects of aqueous extract of stem bark of Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.), An ayurvedic drug in experimental pulmonary hypertension. J Ethnopharmacol. 2017 Feb 2;197:184-194. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2016.07.029. Epub 2016 Jul 9. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27401289/
- Hojjat Rouhi-Boroujeni, Esfandiar Heidarian, Hamid Rouhi-Boroujeni, et. al. Use of lipid-lowering medicinal herbs during pregnancy: A systematic review on safety and dosage. ARYA Atheroscler. 2017 May; 13(3): 135–155.
- S. Balamurugan, S. Vijayakumar, S. Prabhu, et. al. Traditional plants used for the treatment of gynaecological disorders in Vedaranyam taluk, South India – An ethnomedicinal survey. J Tradit Complement Med. 2018 Apr; 8(2): 308–323. Published online 2017 Jul 4. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.06.009.
- Shridhar Dwivedi, Deepti Chopra, and Bharti Bhandari. Role of Terminalia arjuna Wight and Arn. in the treatment of chronic coronary artery disease from pharmacovigilance point of view. Ayu. 2019 Apr-Jun; 40(2): 104–108. Published online 2020 Mar 20. doi: 10.4103/ayu.AYU_114_18
- Koushik Das, Partha Pratim Chakraborty, Debidas Ghosh, et. al. Protective Effect of Aqueous Extract of Terminalia arjuna against Dehydrating Induced Oxidative Stress and Uremia in Male Rat. Iran J Pharm Res. 2010 Spring; 9(2): 153–161.
- Shreya Mandal, Arpita Patra, Animesh Samanta, et. al. Analysis of phytochemical profile of Terminalia arjuna bark extract with antioxidative and antimicrobial properties. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2013 Dec; 3(12): 960–966. doi: 10.1016/S2221-1691(13)60186-0
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Alisha Matthew has been a practicing nutritionist since 2016. She holds a master’s degree in nutrition from the University of IOWA. She is a staunch believer in improving the human health index by educating people about nutrition and the importance of nutrition in leading a healthy and happy life. Her long-term goal is to keep educating people on general health and keep herself updated with the latest trends in the field of health.