Arjuna refers to Terminalis arjuna, commonly known as the arjun tree. Since this tree is named after the legendary Hindu warrior Arjuna, the arjun tree is regarded India’s most sacred tree. As a medicinal herb, arjuna is traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat a variety of disorders, particularly heart problems. Consult your health care provider about the use of this herb, especially if you have a history of chronic disease or are taking medications.
History of Use
According to the Institute for Traditional Medicine, arjuna is used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat coronary artery disease, angina, myocardial infarction, high blood pressure and elevated serum cholesterol. The “Physicians’ Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines” says that Indian physicians also use arjuna to treat anemia, diabetes, asthma, bronchitis and cirrhosis of the liver.
Chemical Composition
The “Physicians’ Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines” lists the active compounds in arjuna as various tannins, polyphenols, triterpenes and phytosteroids, most notably beta-sitosterol.
Preparations
Arjuna is available in powdered and liquid extract form, known as Arjunatvak and Arjunatvagadi, respectively. However, the herb is often combined with other botanicals in Ayurvedic medicine. The formula Artoralt, for instance, contains neem, ashwaganda, berberis, licorice and myrrh, as well as arjuna. Pardhadyaristam is a liquid decoction that is combined with grapes and allowed to ferment. Arjunaghrtam is a paste made from the powdered herb and purified butter, which is then heated and filtered.
Pharmacological Effects
According to the “Physicians’ Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines,” the inotropic effects that cause heart muscle contractions to increase have been demonstrated in clinical trials using animal models. The herb’s ability to lower serum cholesterol and blood pressure is likely due to the presence of beta-sitosterol.
There is also evidence that arjuna may offer protection from the formation of gastric ulcers. For instance, a team of researchers from the University of Madras led by Rethinam Sundaresan Devi reported in Chemico-Biological Interactions that arjuna extracts significantly reduced gastric fluid volume and pH and increased available enzyme antioxidants in the stomachs of ulcer-induced rats. In another study published in the Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, the same lead researcher wrote that arjuna extracts appear to effectively counter Helicobacter pylori, a virus known to cause gastric ulcers.
Safety Considerations
The “Physicians’ Desk Reference for Herbal Medicines” states that there are no known side effects associated with the use of this herb in therapeutic dosages, which is given as 3.88 gm of the powdered drug. However, due to the cardiovascular effects of this herb, it should not be used without the supervision of a qualified health care practitioner experienced in the use and administration of arjuna preparations.
References
- Institute for Traditional Medicine: A Brief Review of Ayurvedic Concepts: Arjun
- “PDR for Herbal Medicines”; Thomas Fleming, Chief Editor, et al; 2000
- Chemico-Biological Interactions; Gastroprotective effect of Terminalia arjuna bark on diclofenac sodium induced gastric ulcer; Devi RS et al.; 2007 Apr 5;167(1):71-83
- Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology; Effect of methanolic…; Devi RS et al.; 2008 Apr;60(4):505-14
