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ARJUNA


WHAT IS ARJUNA

It is an important medicinal plant that is used in the treatment of various ailments. The botanical name for Arjuna is Terminalia Arjuna which belongs to the Combretaceae family. It is also called as Arjun tree which has anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects 


What are the other names of ARJUNA in various languages

English – ArjunMyrobalsan

Tamil – Maruthu

Hindi – Arjuna

Sanskrit – Arjuna

Bengali – Arjun

Manipuri – Maiyokpha

Telugu – Tella Maddi

Marathi- Sadaru

Gujarthi – Sadado

Malayalam – Adamboe

Kannada – Neer matti


ORIGIN AND SOURCE OF ARJUNA

Arjuna tree usually grows in tropical regions mainly in India. It is recognized by all fields of medicine like modern, Ayurveda, and homeopathy.

It is a deciduous evergreen tree that grows at the height of 70-85feet.  It has conical shape leaves, grey bark, and yellow flowers. The fruits are 2-3 cm long. In the outer layer, the leaves are dull green in color and pale brown below. Usually, the flowers of arjuna appear from March to June and the fruits start to appear between September to November.

Part used: Stem and Root Bark

Taste: Astringent

Potency: Cold


CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS IN ARJUNA

On chemical compound analysis of Arjuna, it includes

B-Sistosterol, Gallic acid, Ellagic Acid, Mannitol, Chebulagic acid, Galactose, Fructose, Rhamnose

A glucoside - arjunetin - has been isolated from the bark. 

Arachidic stearate, cerasidin, cerasidin, arjunic acid, tannins, arjunone, arjunetin, arjunglucosisdes 1, 2 and 4, Arjunolic acid,

Action:

  • Anti-oxidant
  • Antimicrobial
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Anti-hypertensive
  • Astringent
  • Cardiotonic
  • Diuretic


TRADITIONAL AND MODERN VIEW OF ARJUNA

  • Traditionally Arjuna is used in the treatment of heart disease and it is also prepared as a milk decoction
  • In Ashtanga Hridayam and Vagbhata, it is mentioned that Arjuna is used in the treatment of wounds, hemorrhage, and ulcers
  • It acts as a cardiotonic and helps to prevent the risk of cardiac failure
  • It is also used in the treatment of ecchymosis, spermatorrhoea, and sexually transmitted diseases like gonorrhea
  • The bark obtained from the is effective against heart problems, hypercholesterolemia, angina pectoris, and coronary artery disease
  • The juice obtained from the bark is used as a tonic
  • The juice obtained from the leaves is used to treat earache
  • It is packed with minerals and it helps to prevent bone loss and increase the bone density
  • It decreases the urine frequency, so it is effective against polyuria
  • For women, it is used to treat Leucorrhoea and heavy menstrual bleeding
  • This tree is planted to provide shade in a coffee plantation
  • The leaves are used as a green manure
  • Ash obtained from the wood mixed with turmeric used for various medicinal purposes


DOSAGE OF ARJUNA

The dose of the drug used according to the physician

Water Decoction: 50 - 100ml

Powder: 3 - 6g


PRECAUTIONS WHILE USING ARJUNA

  • Kindly avoid using this herb if you are receiving anticoagulants because the use of this herb may interact with blood thinners
  • The use of arjuna may lower blood pressure. So, monitoring of blood pressure is required in patients who are taking the anti-hypertensive drug
  • The use of arjuna may lower blood sugar levels. So, monitoring of blood sugar levels is required in patients who are taking the anti-diabetic drug


CONTRAINDICATIONS WHEN USING ARJUNA

  • Do not use this herb if you are allergic to the chemical constituents of Arjuna
  • It is contraindicated to use this herb while you are pregnant and breastfeeding


BENEFITS OF ARJUNA

Angina:

Traditional view: According to Ayurveda, Angina occurs due to the imbalance of Vata and Kapha which leads to the accumulation of toxins in the body due to impaired digestion.  and this obstructs the heart. The use of arjuna prevent chest pain by balancing the Kapha and helps to improve digestion and clear the blockage in the channel of the heart

Take the required amount of arjuna kwath as per the dose the duration advised by the doctor. Add milk or water into it. Consume this after your meals to reduce the heart attacks

Modern view: Studies shows that Arjuna helps to prevent chest pain by lowering the cortisol level in your body and it also increases the HDL level and reduces the blood pressure in people who are with stable angina

Heart diseases:

Traditional view: Due to its cardiac tonic effect the use of Arjuna helps to reduce cardiac disease by maintaining the blood pressure and heart rate

Take the required amount of arjuna kwath as per the dose the duration advised by the doctor. Add milk or water into it. Consume this after your meals to reduce the risk of heart disease

Modern view: Tannins and Glycosides present in the Arjuna bark has antioxidant property that helps to protect the heart muscles against the damage which is caused by free radicals. The use of Arjuna relaxes the blood vessel and clears the plaque to improve the blood flow. It is effective against high blood pressure, palpitation, and irregular heartbeat

Diarrhea:

Traditional view: According to Ayurveda, Diarrhea is called Atisar. Usually, diarrhea occurs due to mental stress, improper food, water, environmental toxins. Diarrhea occurs due to the imbalance of Vata. This brings the fluid into the intestines and mixes it with stool which leads to diarrhea. The use of Arjuna reduce diarrhea by balancing the Vata and it also improves digestion by its astringent and cold property

Take the required amount of arjuna kwath as per the dose the duration advised by the doctor. Add milk or water into it. Consume this after your meals to control diarrhea

Modern view: Chemical constituents present in Arjuna has an antimicrobial, astringent, and antibacterial effect which control the infection in the intestine which is caused by a microorganism and it also prevents the loss of water and electrolyte from the body

Bronchitis:

According to Ayurveda, bronchitis is called kasroga which occurs due to poor digestion. This poor digestion leads to the accumulation of toxins in the body in the form of mucus in the respiratory tract. Consuming Arjuna reduces the accumulation of toxins by its hot potency and by balancing Kapha properties which help to remove the mucus in the respiratory tract

Take the required amount of arjuna kwath as per the dose the duration advised by the doctor. Add milk or water into it. Consume this after your meals to treat lung problems

Urinary tract infection:

According to Ayurveda, it is called Mutrakcchra (painful urination). The use of Arjuna helps to reduce the burning sensation by its Mutral activity and it also helps to increase the urine flow and decrease the symptoms associated with urinary tract infection

Take the required amount of arjuna kwath as per the dose the duration advised by the doctor. Add milk or water into it. Consume this after your meals to reduce the symptoms associated with urinary tract infection

Menorrhagia:
According to Ayurveda, menorrhagia is called Raktapradar which occurs due to the imbalance of Pitta dosha. The use of Arjuna balances the imbalance of Pitta dosha and helps to regulate the heavy bleeding by its Sita (cold) and Kashaya (astringent) properties

Indigestion:

According to Ayurveda, indigestion is called Agnimandya that occurs due to the imbalance of Pitta dosha and poor digestive fire which leads to the accumulation of toxins in the body and causes indigestion. The use of Arjuna balances the Pitta dosha and improves digestion.

Cholesterol

According to Ayurveda, high cholesterol occurs due to an imbalance of Pachak Agni (digestive fire). This impaired digestion occurs due to the accumulation of toxins in the body which leads to the accumulation of cholesterol and causes obstruction in blood vessels. The use of Arjuna helps to improve the improper digestion by its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) produces which remove the accumulation of bad cholesterol and main normal cholesterol level


SIGNIFICANCE OF ARJUNA

  • The bark of Terminalia arjuna has been used in India for more than 3000 years, primarily as a heart remedy.
  • An Indian physician named Vagbhata has been credited as the first to use this product for heart conditions in the seventh century A.D.
  • Research on Terminalia has been going on since the 1930s, but studies have provided mixed results. Its role, if any, in heart disease remains uncertain.
  • It is usually called INDIAN PAAR.


HOW CAN YOU ADD ARJUNA IN YOUR DAILY LIFE?

Arjuna chall churna:

Take the required amount of arjuna chall churna as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor and add honey or water. Consume this after your meals

Arjuna capsule and Tablet:

Take the required amount of arjuna capsule or tablet as per the dose and duration advised by the doctor. Consume this with water after your meals

Arjuna tea:

Take the required amount of arjuna tea boil it in a cup of water and wait until it reduces into half cups. Consume this after your meals

EXTERNAL USE:

Arjuna leaves or Bark fresh paste:

Take the required amount of arjuna leaves and paste of bark and mix it with honey. Apply this paste on the face and neck for 4-5 minutes. Wash your face with water and use this remedy to get rid of acne and pimples


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ON ARJUNA

Does Arjuna clean arteries?

An Indian shrub known as Arjuna has been used mainly in ayurvedic medicine to support cardiovascular health. Extract of this plant contains a variety of flavonoids and polyphenols, which help to reduce inflammation that causes plaque formation in arteries. The extract also supports a healthy lipid profile.

Is Arjunarishta beneficial for blockages?

Arjunarishta is a traditional herbal remedy sanctified with umpteen health benefits. It holds high significance in treating chest pain, cardiac problems like congestive heart failure, heart blockage, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, ischemic cardiac myopathy, etc

Does Arjuna lower cholesterol?

Arjuna bark powder — an ingredient in Arjunarishta — daily for 1 month reduced blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.