Arjuna / Terminalia Arjuna

Arjuna which is also called Arjun Tree and this medicinal plant is mainly used for heart diseases due to its cardioprotective and cardio-strengthening properties. It provides strength to the cardiac muscle (heart muscle) and normalizes the heartbeat. It has various minerals present in it, which helps to prevent bone loss and improves bone mineral density. It has ulcer protection property, so it is used for ulcer treatment, specially indicated for peptic ulcers. It reduces the frequency of urination and frequent urination.

Botanical Description

It is native to India but it is also found in Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and some other Asian Countries. It grows up to a height of about 20 to 27 meters.

Its botanical classification:

• Latin name: Terminalia arjuna
• Family- Combretaceae
• Kingdom- Plantae
• Sub-Kingdom- Viridiplantae
• Infra Kingdom- Streptophyta (Land Plants)
• Super Division- Embryophyta
• Division- Tracheophyta
• Sub Division- Spermatophytina (Spermatophytes or Seed Plants)
• Class- Magnoliopsida
• Super Order- Rosanne
• Order- Myrtales
• Species- Terminalia arjuna (Arjun Tree)

Names in different languages:

• English name: Arjunolic Myrobalan, Arjun Tree
• Hindi name: Arjun
• Bengali name: Arjun
• Marathi name: Sadaru
• Tamil name: Neermarudhu, Poomarudhu, Marudam Patti
• Manipuri name: Maiyokpha
• Kannada Name: Holemaththi, Neer matti, Holedaasaala
• Gujarathi name: Sadado

Its Sanskrit Synonyms:

• Indradru- It is a big tree
• Dhavala- The external layer of bark is white
• Nadisarja- It is found on the banks of the river
• Partha, Dhananjaya, Partha, Virarksha, Shvetavaaha, Shvetavaaha, Kakubha, Nadi Sarja, Partha, kireeti, Dhootra Bhuruha, etc

Its different varieties:

There are mainly two types of Arjuna:

1. Arjuna- Terminalia arjuna- It is of white variety
2. Kakubha- Terminalia alata- It is of the black variety

What are the medicinal properties of Arjuna?

• Rasa (Taste)- Kasaya (Astringent)
• Guna (Quality)- Ruksha (Dry) and Laghu (Light)
• Virya (Potency)- Sheeta (Cold)
• Vipaka (Resultant)- Katu (Pungent)
• Prabhava (Action)- Cardiac Tonic
• Dosha Karma (Effect on Humor)- Pacifies Pitta dosha and Kapha dosha
• Dhatu (Tissue) Effect- Rasa, Rakta, Mamsa, Meda, and Asthi
• Organs Affected- Heart, Blood Vessels, and Bones
• It is mainly given in Heart Diseases

Medicinal Parts

Its bark is the main medicinal part used for therapeutic purposes. It has cardioprotective action on the body.

What are the medicinal properties of Arjuna?

The medicinal properties of Arjuna are:

• Cardiac tonic
• Antiarrhythmic
• Antianginal
• Cardiac Stimulant
• Anti-atherogenic
• Inotropic (modifies the speed or force of muscle contractions)
• Anti-hyperlipidemic
• Anti-thrombotic
• Anti-hemorrhagic
• Antihypertensive
• Antioxidant
• Anti-osteoporotic
• Anti-herpes virus
• Wound healing
• Anti-arthritic
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antacid
• Mucolytic
• Anti-ulcerogenic
• Urinary Astringent
• Anti-obesity
• Antihyperglycemic
• Antitoxin
• Antitumor
• Anti-ischemic

What are the Ayurvedic properties and benefits of Arjuna?

Arjuna is a very common herb for heart patients in Ayurveda. This herb contains many bioactive substances that improve the left ventricle functioning of the heart. It has cardioprotective action on the body which improves the cardiac function in people with a previous or recent history of cardiac trauma. It also increases the anaerobic cardiovascular performance of the heart. It has antioxidative characteristics that are comparable to Vitamin C. Arjuna also has anti-cancerous properties that prevent the growth of unhealthy cells.

• Cardiac Arrhythmia

Arjuna has cardio-tonic action that enhances the SR functioning and minimizes the arrhythmias (irregular heartbeat) occurrence. It reduces the risk of other heart-related problems like angina which is caused due to the aggravated Kapha dosha but the pain associated with it is like the symptoms of aggravated Vata. Kapha dosha accumulation leads to the production of Ama (toxins) in the body which gets blocked in the heart channels and causes a blockage leading to an aggravated Vata dosha. Arjuna removes the blockage of heart channels and pacifies the aggravated Vata dosha.

• High and Low Blood Pressure

Arjuna herb normalizes the blood pressure and stabilizes it at normal levels. It shows wonderful results in both cases with low or high blood pressure. Arjuna maintains the healthy functioning of the heart, which is likely to work in both cases. It improves cardiovascular endurance and in high blood pressure, it induces lowering effects.