Arjuna Uses and Benefits

Arjuna is a potent herb that can improve heart health in various ways. It is used to lower high blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, and treat heart palpitations. Arjuna is also helpful for other health conditions such as blood disorders and skin ailments. In this article, we talk about the characteristics, uses, and benefits of this potent Ayurvedic supplement.

What is Arjuna?

Arjuna is a tropical tree native to India. It is known as Terminalia arjuna in the scientific community. It is mostly found in the forest areas of Southern and Western India. The leaves of the Arjuna tree are harvested to make the supplement. 

Characteristics of the Arjuna Plant

Large and evergreen, the Arjuna tree can reach a height of nearly 60 metres. The tree has green leaves, which are held on the branches in a deciduous pattern, with pale undersides. The tree has tiny, white blossoms that are followed by tiny, black fruit.

Its bark is reddish brown in colour, hard, and deeply cracked. The wood of the tree is very hard and heavy. The plant can be found all over the Indian subcontinent, mainly growing on the sides of rivers or close to dry riverbeds.

What are the health benefits of using Arjuna?

Arjuna has been used in Ayurveda for centuries as a potent herbal remedy. The benefits of Arjuna are many, and it can be used as a herb to treat a variety of health conditions.

Anti-diabetic potential

Your genetic make-up, family history, ethnicity, health, and environmental factors all have a role in the development of diabetes. Kidneys, nerves, eyes, and other organs can be harmed if diabetes-related elevated blood sugar is not managed.

A chronic imbalance in the blood sugar levels can lead to Diabetes. This is often because the pancreas doesn't produce enough insulin. Fasting blood glucose, systolic blood pressure, and total cholesterol are all dramatically lowered with Arjuna treatment.[1]

Anti-cancer properties

Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in the world. Genes, the fundamental building blocks of inheritance, can change in ways that result in cancer. Cancer can have many different causes.

According to scientists, the combination of numerous elements results in cancer. The contributing elements may be a person's constitutional traits, environmental influences, or genetics. Arjuna can selectively target cancer cells and can serve as potential anticancer agents.[2] Therefore, it can provide better efficacy in killing cancer cells.

Anti-oxidant properties

Antioxidants are molecules that may shield your cells from free radicals, which have been linked to cancer, heart disease, and other illnesses. Free radicals are molecules that are created when food is broken down by the body when you are exposed to radiation or tobacco smoke, or both.

The majority of experimental and clinical research has revealed that Arjuna has anti-ischemic, antioxidant, hypolipidemic, and anti-atherogenic properties.[3] Its favourable cardiovascular antioxidant activities are thought to be caused by terpenoids and flavonoids. 

Benefits of Arjuna for Heart Health

The Arjuna tree is one of the best herbs to promote heart health. A vital component of overall health is heart health. The heart provides oxygen, transports waste and pollutants out of your body, and circulates blood that is rich in nutrients. Arjuna leaves are traditionally used in Ayurvedic remedies for heart disease, including heart palpitations and high blood pressure.

Research studies suggest that the powerful herbs in Arjuna can lower high blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke. It may prove useful to improve cardiovascular endurance and lower systolic blood pressure.[4]

Traditional Use of Arjuna in Ayurveda

Arjuna is traditionally prescribed by Ayurveda to treat diseases like heart conditions, blood disorders, skin conditions and other ailments. Arjuna influences several dhatus, or tissue layers, in addition to two srotas, or channels—the circulatory and reproductive channels—including rasa (plasma), rakta (blood), asthi (bone), and shukra (reproductive). Ayurveda provides the following specifications for Arjuna:

Rasa (taste): Pungent, bitter, and astringent
Vipaka (post-digestion taste): Pungent
Virya (action): Cooling

Arjuna is a tridoshic plant as per Ayurveda. It is has a balancing effect on pitta and kapha. However, it might elicit vata if taken in excess, so the dosage should be controlled for people who are prone to vata imbalance.

Modern Scientific Research on Arjuna

Arjuna has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of heart disease for centuries. In recent decades, scientists have researched the effects of Arjuna on the heart and other organs.

• Anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidaemic effect of Arjunarishta in high-fat fed animals [5]
• Cytotoxicity and apoptotic cell death induced by Vitis vinifera peel and seed extracts in A431 skin cancer cells [6]
• Revisiting Terminalia arjuna - An Ancient Cardiovascular Drug [7]
• Effects of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) and Terminalia arjuna (Arjuna) on physical performance and cardiorespiratory endurance in healthy young adults [8]

How to take Arjuna as a supplement

Arjuna powder or Arjuna extract can be taken as a daily supplement either as a powder or in the form of vegan capsules.

Arjuna Powder

If you are using Arjuna powder, add it to warm water or milk and drink as a daily tonic. You can also add Hesh’s Arjuna powder to your daily breakfast cereal, or drink Arjuna tea once or twice a day by using the powder.

To prepare the tea, add one teaspoon of the powder to one cup of water and let it simmer for 5 minutes. You can drink the concoction when it has cooled down to lukewarm temperature.

Arjuna Capsules

Arjuna capsules are great for taking a pre-measured and precise amount of the supplement in a single dose. For best results, you can take 1 to 2 of Hesh's Arjuna Vegan Capsules once a day.

Is it safe to take Arjuna?

Arjuna is a safe herb to consume and is well-tolerated by most people. However, like all other medications, it is important to check with your doctor before taking Arjuna.

It is not advised to take Arjuna when pregnant. Before incorporating arjuna into your daily routine, you must speak with your doctor if you are pregnant, on medication, or have a medical condition. Arjuna's drying properties can make constipation worse.