Arjuna: Health Benefits of Arjuna & Uses
Introduction about Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna):
Arjuna plant is a well-known heart tonic, and the Health Benefits of Arjuna possess unique properties that provide strength to the heart muscles and manage cardiovascular ailments.
According to the Ayurvedic Acharyas, it is termed as Ramban for all the heart problems. Also, it is used to overcome the symptoms of asthma, hypertension, renal stones, etc.
The reddish bark of the plant is a useful central part that supports cardiovascular health. Arjuna tree is mainly found in South, West Bengal, and Central India.
Synonyms of Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna):
In other words, Arjuna can be called as:-
Veer, Inderdru, Dhawal, Veervariksh, Kukumbh, Nadisarj
Different names of Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna):
Sanskrit: Kakubha, Partha, Svetavaha
Assamese: Arjun
Bengali: Arjuna
Gujrati: Sadad, Arjuna, Sajada
Hindi: Arjuna
Kannada: Matti, Bilimatti, Neermatti, Mathichakke, Kudare Kivimase
Malayalam: Nirmasuthu, Vellamaruthi, Kellemasuthu, Mattimora, Torematti
Marathi: Arjuna, Sadada
Oriya: Arjuna
Punjabi: Arjon
Tamil: Marudam
Telugu: Maddi
Urdu: Arjun
Classification of Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna):
Kingdom: Plantae
Sub-Kingdom: Viridiplantae
Infra Kingdom: Streptophyta
Division: Magnoliophyta
Super Division: Tracheophyta
Sub Division: Spermatophytina
Class: Magnoliopsida
Sub Order: Rosanae
Order: Myrtales
Family: Combretaceae
Genus: Terminalia
Species: Arjuna
Classical Categorization of Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna):
According to Charak Samhita:
Hridya: herbs beneficial for heart disorders
Udarda prashmana: Herbs useful for allergic skin conditions
Kashaya skandha: A group of herbs having an astringent taste.
According to Sushruta Samhita:
Nyagrodhadi
Salasaradi
Description of Arjuna Plant (Terminalia arjuna):
Arjuna plant is native to India. It is a medium to a large deciduous tree that grows up to approximately 20-30 meters. The bark is grey to black with deep longitudinal fissures. The tree has straight stems with spreading branches that form a wide canopy at the crown from which the units drop downwards. The Arjuna tree is mostly found on the river banks or near dry beds in West Bengal, Central India and, South. It nearly takes about 7-8 years for the tree to mature and be used for various medicinal purposes.
Stem Bark: Arjuna bark consists of 9-10 layers of elongated cells, and a few outer layers filled with brown coloring. The secondary phloem occupies a wide zone, which consists of sieve-like tubes and companion cells. Mainly, in the middle and outer phloem region, sieve tubes get collapsed and form ceratenchyma. Fibers are present in groups of 2-10 rosette crystals of calcium oxalate measuring about 80-180 17 µ. Also, idioblasts have aggregates of rhomboidal crystals of calcium oxalate and primatic in a row throughout the zone, measuring about 260-600 µ in dia.
Leaves: Arjuna leaves are big, conical, oblong, and appear smooth green on top and brown below.
Flowers: The flowers are seen in panicles of spikes and are white or yellow. Mainly flowering season is from April-May.
Fruits: Fruits are oblong and have 5-7 wings.
Part Used: The bark of Terminalia arjuna is mainly used for therapeutic purposes.
During the 7th century CE, Vagbhata Ji introduced the Arjuna tree to Ayurveda. In the Ashtanga Haridayama, Vagbhata Ji recommends using Arjuna churna to manage wounds, ulcers, and hemorrhages.
Bark leaves and fruits of the tree are used in various medicinal formulations. Fruits work amazingly in Asthma, intestinal worms, digestive issues. Arjuna tree is prevalent in managing cardiac-related disorders. The bark of the tree is rich in anti-fungal, antipyretic, antimutagenic, astringent properties. The tree acts as a natural rejuvenator and effectively replaces the dead or weak cells in the body with healthy new cells.
Ayurvedic Properties of Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna):
Rasa (taste): Kashaya (astringent)
Guna (physical properties): Laghu (light), Ruksha (dry)
Virya (potency): Sheeta (cold)
Vipaka (metabolic property): Katu (pungent)
Dhatu effect: Rasa, Rakta, Mamsa, Medha, Asthi
Organ effect: Blood vessels, Bones, Heart
Impact on Doshas: It mainly balances Pitta and Kapha doshas
Karma: Pitta Hara, Hrudya, Kapha Hara, Bhagna Sandhanakara, Vranashaman
Main Indication: Heart Disorders.
Chemical Constituents of Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna):
Arjuna tree consists of active constituents such as gallic acid, ellagic acid, oligomeric proanthocyanidins, calcium, magnesium, zinc, tannins, arjunic acid, arjunglycosides, arjungenin, arjunolic acid, luteolin, arjunolone, arjunone, copper, etc.
It also contains tannins, flavones, casuarinin, lactones, B-Sitosterol, arjunosides I-IV, terminic acid, etc.
Classical Uses of Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna):
Medhohara: Helps in reduction of fat and cholesterol levels
Bhagna: Heal’s fracture quickly
Shramhara: Relieves fatigue and tiredness
Kshata: Effective in chest injuries
Vranahara: Useful to relieve wounds and ulcers
Stambhana: Useful in bleeding disorders.
Medicinal Properties of Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna):
The major health benefits of Arjuna Tree are given below:
Arjuna plant is well known to have cardioprotective properties. Other than this, due to its unique properties, it is antihypertensive, antioxidant, anti-hemorrhagic, anti-atherogenic, anti-anginal, anti-ulcerogenic, wound healing, anti-arthritic, urinary astringent, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-obesity, anti-tumor, etc.
Therapeutic Indications of Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna):
Other than Heart Diseases, the benefits of Arjuna are seen in hemorrhages, dysentery, peptic ulcers, gastritis, asthma, burning sensation in urine, metrorrhagia, pyuria, bleeding piles, bone fractures, obesity, osteoporosis, general weakness, tiredness, fatigue, low bone mineral density, hypercholesterolemia, etc.
Medicinal Uses of Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna):
In Heart Diseases: Arjuna has a high abundance of Co-enzyme Q-10, which is the main enzyme that helps manage all heart diseases. Its properties strengthen the heart muscles, correct erratic heartbeat, lowers blood clots’ formation, and reduces cholesterol and blood pressure.
It also prevents the hardening of the blood vessels, thus preventing a heart attack, stroke, and other heart organ ailments. Its cardioprotective actions help preserve the heart’s optimum functions and speed up the recovery process for cardiac injury. From ancient times, the health benefits of Arjuna help in the prevention of Myocardial infarction because it is rich in anti-atherogenic properties, which helps to reduce plaque buildup in the coronary arteries and improves the flow of blood to the heart tissues.
Regular intake of Arjuna improves the heart muscle’s tone and strength and thus enhances the heart’s ability to pump the blood efficiently. Also, it has antioxidant properties, which help to maintain the health of the cardiovascular system.
In Atherosclerosis: Arjuna is rich in anti-atherogenic and hypolipidemic properties, which lower serum concentration of total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, triglycerides, and reduces low-grade inflammation of the blood vessels.
Due to its anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperlipidemic, anti-atherogenic properties, it reduces the process of atherosclerosis.
Bone Fractures: Health benefits of Arjuna plant is believed to be useful in healing bone fracture and connective tissue injuries. It has a high abundance of arjunic acid, arjunantin, tannins, calcium carbonate, and sodium chloride, which effectively work in bone fractures.
Bleeding Disorders: Arjuna bark has anti-hemorrhagic properties, causing vasoconstriction that reduces bleeding and manages hemorrhages. According to Ayurveda, it is rich in Stambhan properties and can be used in bleeding disorders.
Hypercholesterolemia: The bark of the Arjuna plant has anti-oxidant, and an anti-hyperlipidemic action helps to lower LDL lipoprotein, triglycerides, VLDL lipoprotein, and improves the functioning of the liver organ.
In Diarrhea: Due to its Kshaya (astringent) and Sheeta (cold) property, the health benefits of arjuna chaal (bark) effectively controls the frequency of motion and helps to retain fluid in the body. It also acts as an antibacterial and antimicrobial that control the intestinal infection caused by micro-organisms. Also, it regulates gut motility and prevents excess electrolytes and loss of water from the body.
In Bronchitis: The Arjuna plant helps manage lung problems like cough, asthma, infection, bronchitis, etc. Arjuna improves the digestive system’s functioning, eliminates excess toxins from the body, reduces mucus, clears the blocked airways, and reduces inflammation due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
In Urinary Tract Infections: Due to its anti-bacterial, diuretic properties and cold potency, Arjuna overcomes the symptoms of UTI and prevents a person from secondary infections also.
It effectively reduces burning sensation, increases the urine flow, gives a cooling effect, eliminates toxins, and provides relief from all the associated symptoms.
In High Blood Pressure: Health Benefits of Arjuna has marked reduced total cholesterol and protects the heart from adverse effects of chronic high blood pressure by lowering the systolic blood pressure levels. The herb might help boost cardiovascular endurance and promote healing of the soft tissue and internal organs that support the heart organ’s functioning.
Classical Formulations of Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna):
Arujanarishta
Arjunghrita
Arjunakhsirpak
Prabhakar vati
Pushyanuga churna
Arvindasava
Arjun Ghrita
Quantity Which We Can Use in a Different form to get Benefits of Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna):
Arjuna Churna: 3-6 grams once or twice daily
Arjuna Capsule: 1-2 capsules once or twice daily
Arjuna Bark Juice Dosage: 10-20 ml
Arjuna Bark Water Extract Dosage: 250-500 mg
Arjuna Decoction: 50-100 ml.
Ayurvedic Formulations of Arjuna (Terminalia Arjuna):
The Heart is the most important organ that pumps blood throughout the body via the circulatory system, supplying oxygen and nutrients to the cells, tissues and eliminating carbon dioxide and other wastes. It is essential to keep the cardiovascular system healthy.
Don’t depend on chemicals, steroids, and other harmful medicines because regular intake of these medicines may have a bad impact on the functioning of heart, and damage other organs.
A person can take pure, herbal, organic, result-organic products from Quality based Company, i.e., DEEP AYURVEDA, which is run by an Experienced Chief Consultant and their doctor team. The company developed the products after very long research and various clinical trials. All the products are safe, natural, and free from chemicals, preservatives, steroids, and other harmful chemicals.
A Brief Description of Ayurvedic Products is given below:
Arjun Capsule: Arjun capsules are prepared from 100% extract of Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) herb. The capsule acts as the best cardiotonic and is loaded with all the active components like arjunetin, arjunesides. Health benefits of Arjuna stimulate the cardiac functions, regulate blood circulation, clean the blockages, maintain the cardiac procedures, and deal with cardiac issues such as myocardial infarction, coronary artery diseases, congestive heart failure, angina, atherosclerosis, and other cardiovascular ailments.
Arjunarishta: It is the best classical formulation that consists of Arjuna bark, Draksha, Dhatki flowers, and other essential herbs. It is the most effective and common herb used from ancient times for heart patients in Ayurveda. It contains various bio-active substances, which improves the heart’s functioning, reduced blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, keeps the heart away from stress, helps blood move into the heart at a regular pace, and provides multiple health benefits to an individual.
Cardion Heart Care Capsule: The composition of heart care capsule is made up of authenticated, result-oriented, pure, natural herbs that strengthen the cardiac muscles, improves the cardiac action, manages high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, stimulate the stamina so that people can work without feeling fatigued and stressed, alleviates breathlessness, prevents atherosclerosis, eases the metabolic disorders.
Pushyanug Churna: Pushyanug churna is an ancient Ayurvedic formulation that effectively balances Vata, Pitta, and Kapha dosha. It is a composition of arjuna, kumkuma, musta, lodhra, mocharasa, pashanbheda, bilva, maricha, shunthi, etc, that used to manages uterine infections, all the menstrual disorders, diarrhea, etc.
For more detail on ‘Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna)’, one can also visit the nearest Ayurveda clinic or take online consultation.
