The Healing Power of Arjuna: Nature’s Answer to Inflammation, Immunity & Heart Health

Arjuna Pods

James Odell, OMD, ND, LAc

Terminalia Arjuna is a tree native to India that has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine for its many potent medicinal properties. It has been mentioned since the Vedic period in several ancient Indian medicinal texts, including Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Astang Hridayam. It is one of the most commonly used plants in Siddha, Ayurveda, and Unani systems of treatment. In India, Arjuna is recognized by different local names such as Arjuna/Arjun (Hindi), Marudhu (Tamil and Malayalam), Yella maddi (Telugu), Arjhan (Bengali), Sadaru (Marathi), Sadad (Gujarati), and Neer matti (Kannada).1, 2, 3

Arjuna exhibits various pharmaceutical properties when treating various clinical disorders, such as heart failure, ischemia, cardiomyopathy, atherosclerosis, myocardium impairment, various tumors, viral diseases, ulcers, and many other conditions. From supporting heart health to boosting the immune system and reducing inflammation, its therapeutic properties are backed by extensive scientific research.

Characteristics and Habitat

Terminalia Arjuna is a large deciduous tree that often reaches heights up to 30 meters. It belongs to the Combretaceae family, comprising nearly 200 species distributed worldwide. It thrives along riverbanks and low-lying areas, showcasing its preference for moisture-rich habitats. Known for its broad, well-crowned canopy, the tree provides a calming shade in hot climates and supports a variety of fauna. The arjuna tree is distributed throughout the greater part of India, Burma, and Sri Lanka. It is found in the sub-Himalayan tracts of Uttar Pradesh, South Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and the Deccan regions. Its rose-colored medicinal bark has traditionally been used for numerous diseases, but currently is primarily used to support cardiovascular health, including heart diseases and related chest pain, high blood pressure, and as a diuretic. It is also used for earaches and diseases of the urinary tract.

Traditional Usage

Arjuna has a long history of traditional usage by many tribes throughout India. In the Chakradatta, an ancient treatise of Ayurvedic medicine written by Chakrapani Datta, it is recommended to be given as a decoction of bark with milk or as a ghrita (a preparation with ghee or butter). Also, the bark decoction has been used for ulcers, while bark ashes have been prescribed for snakebite and scorpion stings. 4, 5

Traditional healers from Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu boil the bark powder with water and inhale it to treat headaches and to kill parasites in the oral and nasal cavity. They also use fruit paste topically on wounds.6 The Malabar tribe of Kerala apply the fresh leaf juice to treat earache, and the bark powder for treating heart ailments.7 Tribals living in Sundargarh District, Orissa use dried bark powder along with rice water to treat blood in urine, and tribes living in Malkangiri district chew the fresh bark and swallow the juice as an antacid.8, 9

Bioactive Compounds

The bark and stem have been reported to contain several bioactive compounds. Major chemical constituents of stem and bark include polyphenols, flavonoids, tannins, triterpenoids, saponins, sterols, minerals, and amino acids such as tryptophan, tyrosine, histidine, and cysteine.10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 Specific active compounds are Arjunic acid, Tannins, Arjunones, Arjunetin, Arjun glycosides 1 and 2, Arjunic and Arjunolic acid, Betullinic acid, Ellagic acid, and Tannins. Arjunolic acid is a naturally occurring titerpenoid saponin with various biological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancerous properties. Arjuna products can be standardized to contain a minimum of 0.5% Arjunolic acid. 

The phytochemicals extracted from Arjuna are found to have rich antioxidant properties in addition to several other bioactive properties, such as antioxidant16, anti-inflammatory17, cardio-protective18, 19, anti-atherosclerotic20, and anti-tumorous 21, 22 

Current Research on Therapeutic Applications

Many studies have reported on its antioxidant, anti-ischemic, antihypertensive, and antihypertrophic effects, which affect its therapeutic potential in cardiovascular diseases in humans. Research confirms its positive impact on a range of heart problems, from coronary artery disease to rheumatic heart disease. It has also been found to help with the recuperation of people who have experienced myocardial infarction and have angina.23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29

Dried, pulverized bark has been shown to augment endogenous antioxidant compounds of rat heart and prevent oxidative stress associated with ischemic–reperfusion injury of the heart.30

In a recent study investigating the in vitro thrombolytic and membrane-stabilizing action of four Bangladeshi medicinal plants, including arjuna, the methanol extract was found to possess significant anti-thrombolytic activity. It also significantly inhibited the hemolysis of RBCs in both hypotonic-solution and heat-induced conditions. This showed that it exhibited moderate anti-thrombolytic activity, inhibiting platelet aggregation and protecting red blood cells.31

Research also indicates that Arjuna has a positive effect on blood pressure levels. Its natural compounds help relax blood vessels, reducing hypertension and promoting better blood circulation. Experimental studies have revealed that its bark possesses significant inotropic and hypotensive effects, increasing coronary artery flow and protecting the myocardium against ischemic damage. It has also been found to have mild diuretic, prostaglandin E (2) enhancing, and hypolipidemic activity.32, 33, 34

Arjuna bark and pods

Arjuna is known to enhance blood circulation throughout the body.35 By improving coronary artery blood flow and relaxing blood vessels, Arjuna helps ensure efficient oxygen and nutrient delivery to various organs and tissues, crucial for maintaining overall health and vitality.

Arjuna’s potent antioxidant properties can help reduce the damaging effects of free radicals. Antioxidants are the chemicals that counteract and stabilize the excessive production of free radicals and enhance the immune response. These are generally produced inside the body or can be given as a supplement to prevent diseases. The phytochemical constituents that are mainly responsible for the antioxidant property are the phenolic compounds. 36, 37, 38

Arjuna possesses strong anti-inflammatory properties. It can help reduce inflammation in the body, which is beneficial for conditions like arthritis, asthma, and inflammatory bowel diseases.39, 40, 41, 42 Additionally, arjuna is known to support kidney health due to its diuretic and antioxidant properties. It promotes both the elimination of toxins and improves kidney function.43, 44, 45 Overall, it has been shown to prevent and manage many kidney-related disorders. Arjuna has also been demonstrated to strengthen and modulate the immune system, as well as exhibiting antimicrobial properties.46, 47 Its natural compounds enhance the body's defense mechanisms, making it more resilient against infections, particularly ear infections.48

Dosage of Arjuna

The appropriate dosage of Arjuna can vary depending on factors such as age, health condition, and the specific formulation being used. Generally, a typical dosage for Arjuna bark extract ranges from 250 mg to 500 mg, taken two to three times daily. The bark can be standardized (10:1 Extract) to contain a minimum of 0.5% arjunolic acid.

Potential Side Effects of Arjuna

So far, no serious side effects have been reported with arjuna therapy. No hematological, renal, or metabolic toxicity has been reported even after more than 24 months of its administration.49, 50, 51, 52 While Arjuna is generally considered safe when used appropriately, it may cause some minor side effects in some individuals. Potential side effects include:

• Gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, diarrhea, or constipation

• Allergic reactions like skin rash or itching

• Dizziness or lightheadedness, especially in individuals with low blood pressure

Because Arjuna can significantly lower blood pressure, it is important to use a blood pressure monitor to track your blood pressure levels regularly. If you experience any adverse effects or significant drops in blood pressure, discontinue use and consult a healthcare professional. Additionally, Arjuna is not recommended during pregnancy. Pregnant or breastfeeding women and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions should seek medical advice before using Arjuna.

Increasing Hydration with Arjuna

Some individuals may experience increased thirst when taking Arjuna. This effect can occur because Arjuna's natural compounds promote diuretic activity, which increases urine production and can lead to dehydration. Staying adequately hydrated while using this supplement is essential to support its effectiveness and maintain overall health. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day can help counteract any potential dehydration. Additionally, consuming hydrating foods such as fruits and vegetables and avoiding excessive caffeine or alcohol can further support hydration levels. Because of its drying nature, Arjuna can exacerbate constipation in some individuals.

Terminalia arjuna is a medicinal plant that has several medicinal properties, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-ischemic, anti-atherosclerotic, antimicrobial, anti-cancer, anti-fertility, and anti-mutagenic. These properties are due to the presence of a variety of phytochemicals, such as flavonoids, polyphenols, triterpenoids, tannins, glycosides, and several others, in the extracts. Incorporating Arjuna into your wellness routine can contribute to overall health and well-being.

References

1.      Ahmed, K. K., B. M. Gupta, Neeraj Singh, and Ashok Kumar. "Global Research on Terminalia arjuna: A Quantitative and Qualitative Assessment of Publications during 2004-18." Pharmacognosy Reviews 14, no. 27 (2020).

2.      Gupta, Simmy, Jyoti Prabha Bishnoi, Naveen Kumar, Harish Kumar, and T. Nidheesh. "Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight & Arn.: Competent source of bioactive components in functional food and drugs." The Pharma Innovation Journal 7, no. 3 (2018): 223-31.

3.      Gaikwad, Dinanath, and Namdeo Jadhav. "A review on biogenic properties of stem bark of Terminalia arjuna: An update." Asian J Pharm Clin Res 11, no. 8 (2018): 35-39.

4.      Chopra, Ram Nath, and Ishwar Chander Chopra. Chopra's indigenous drugs of India. Academic publishers, 2006.

5.      Jain, Sunyana, Prem Prakash Yadav, Vikrant Gill, Neeru Vasudeva, and Neelam Singla. "Terminalia arjuna a sacred medicinal plant: phytochemical and pharmacological profile." Phytochemistry Reviews 8 (2009): 491-502.

6.      Muthu, Chellaiah, Muniappan Ayyanar, Nagappan Raja, and Savarimuthu Ignacimuthu. "Medicinal plants used by traditional healers in Kancheepuram District of Tamil Nadu, India." Journal of Ethnobiology and ethnomedicine 2 (2006): 1-10.

7.      Yesodharan, K., and K. A. Sujana. "Ethnomedicinal knowledge among Malamalasar tribe of Parambikulam wildlife sanctuary, Kerala." (2007).

8.      Prusti, A. B., and K. K. Behera. "Ethnobotanical exploration of Malkangiri district of Orissa, India." Ethnobotanical leaflets 2007, no. 1 (2007): 14.

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12.   Singh, B., V. P. Singh, V. B. Pandey, and G. Rücker. "A new triterpene glycoside from Terminalia arjuna." Planta medica 61, no. 06 (1995): 576-577.

13.   Wang, Wei, Zulfiqar Ali, Yunheng Shen, Xing-Cong Li, and Ikhlas A. Khan. "Ursane triterpenoids from the bark of Terminalia arjuna." Fitoterapia 81, no. 6 (2010): 480-484.

14.   Wang, Wei, Zulfiqar Ali, Xing-Cong Li, Yunheng Shen, and Ikhlas A. Khan. "18, 19-secooleanane type triterpene glycosyl esters from the bark of Terminalia arjuna." Planta medica 76, no. 09 (2010): 903-908.

15.   Saha, Anumita, V. M. Pawar, and Sujatha Jayaraman. "Characterisation of polyphenols in Terminalia arjuna bark extract." Indian journal of pharmaceutical sciences 74, no. 4 (2012): 339.

16.   Gupta, Simmy, Jyoti Prabha Bishnoi, Naveen Kumar, Harish Kumar, and T. Nidheesh. "Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight & Arn.: Competent source of bioactive components in functional food and drugs." The Pharma Innovation Journal 7, no. 3 (2018): 223-31.

17.   Biswas, Moulisha, Kaushik Biswas, Tarun K. Karan, Sanjib Bhattacharya, Ashoke K. Ghosh, and Pallab K. Haldar. "Evaluation of analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Terminalia arjuna leaf." Journal of Phytology 3, no. 1 (2011).

18.   Karthikeyan, K., BR Sarala Bai, K. Gauthaman, K. S. Sathish, and S. Niranjali Devaraj. "Cardioprotective effect of the alcoholic extract of Terminalia arjuna bark in an in vivo model of myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury." Life sciences 73, no. 21 (2003): 2727-2739.

19.   Kapoor, Divya, Rajesh Vijayvergiya, and Veena Dhawan. "Terminalia arjuna in coronary artery disease: ethnopharmacology, pre-clinical, clinical & safety evaluation." Journal of ethnopharmacology 155, no. 2 (2014): 1029-1045.

20.   Subramaniam, Saravanan, Subramaniam Ramachandran, Subasini Uthrapathi, Victor Rajamanickam Gnamanickam, and Govinda Prasad Dubey. "Anti-hyperlipidemic and antioxidant potential of different fractions of Terminalia arjuna Roxb. bark against PX-407 induced hyperlipidemia." (2011).

21.   Sivalokanathan, Sarveswaran, Muthaiyan Ilayaraja, and Maruthaiveeran Periyasamy Balasubramanian. "Antioxidant activity of Terminalia arjuna bark extract on N-nitrosodiethylamine induced hepatocellular carcinoma in rats." Molecular and cellular biochemistry 281 (2006): 87-93

22.   Verma, Nibha, and Manjula Vinayak. "Effect of Terminalia arjuna on antioxidant defense system in cancer." Molecular Biology Reports 36 (2009): 159-164.

23.   Maulik, Subir K., and Kewal K. Talwar. "Therapeutic potential of Terminalia arjuna in cardiovascular disorders." American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs 12 (2012): 157-163.

24.   K Maulik, S., and C. K Katiyar. "Terminalia arjuna in cardiovascular diseases: making the transition from traditional to modern medicine in India." Current pharmaceutical biotechnology 11, no. 8 (2010): 855-860.

25.   Karthikeyan, K., BR Sarala Bai, K. Gauthaman, K. S. Sathish, and S. Niranjali Devaraj. "Cardioprotective effect of the alcoholic extract of Terminalia arjuna bark in an in vivo model of myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury." Life sciences 73, no. 21 (2003): 2727-2739.

26.   Khaliq, Farah, Adila Parveen, Savita Singh, Ranjana Gondal, M. Eijaz Hussain, and Mohammad Fahim. "Improvement in myocardial function by Terminalia arjuna in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: possible mechanisms." Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics 18, no. 5 (2013): 481-489.

27.   Dwivedi, Shridhar, and Deepti Chopra. "Revisiting Terminalia arjuna–an ancient cardiovascular drug." Journal of traditional and complementary medicine 4, no. 4 (2014): 224.

28.   Kapoor, Divya, Rajesh Vijayvergiya, and Veena Dhawan. "Terminalia arjuna in coronary artery disease: ethnopharmacology, pre-clinical, clinical & safety evaluation." Journal of ethnopharmacology 155, no. 2 (2014): 1029-1045.

29.   Khanna, A. K., Ramesh Chander, and N. K. Kapoor. "Terminalia arjuna: an ayurvedic cardiotonic, regulates lipid metabolism in hyperlipaemic rats." Phytotherapy Research 10, no. 8 (1996): 663-665.

30.   Gauthaman, K., M. Maulik, R. Kumari, S. C. Manchanda, A. K. Dinda, and S. K. Maulik. "Effect of chronic treatment with bark of Terminalia arjuna: a study on the isolated ischemic-reperfused rat heart." Journal of Ethnopharmacology 75, no. 2-3 (2001): 197-201.

31.   Shahriar, Mohammad, F. A. Sharmin, S. M. A. Islam, I. Dewan, and S. Kabir. "Membrane stabilizing and anti-thrombolytic activities of four medicinal plants of Bangladesh." Experiment 4 (2012): 265-70.

32.   Singh, N., K. K. Kapur, S. P. Singh, K. Shanker, J. N. Sinha, and R. P. Kohli. "Mechanism of cardiovascular action of Terminalia arjuna." Planta medica 45, no. 06 (1982): 102-104.

33.   Meghwani, Himanshu, Pankaj Prabhakar, Soheb A. Mohammed, Sandeep Seth, Milind P. Hote, Sanjay K. Banerjee, Sudheer Arava, Ruma Ray, and Subir Kumar Maulik. "Beneficial effects of aqueous extract of stem bark of Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.), An ayurvedic drug in experimental pulmonary hypertension." Journal of Ethnopharmacology 197 (2017): 184-194.

34.   Kapoor, Divya, Rajesh Vijayvergiya, and Veena Dhawan. "Terminalia arjuna in coronary artery disease: ethnopharmacology, pre-clinical, clinical & safety evaluation." Journal of ethnopharmacology 155, no. 2 (2014): 1029-1045.

35.   Mahesh, Arya S., and Sapna Ratan Shah. "Optimizing cardiovascular health: ayurvedic insights into blood flow through normal and stenosed arteries." Int J AYUSH 13, no. 5 (2024): 18-35.

36.   Shahid Chatha, S. A., A. I. Hussain, R. Asad, M. Majeed, and N. Aslam. "Bioactive components and antioxidant properties of Terminalia arjuna L." Extracts. J Food Process Technol 5, no. 298 (2014): 2.

37.   Kumar, G. Phani, K. Navya, E. M. Ramya, M. Venkataramana, T. Anand, and K. R. Anilakumar. "DNA damage protecting and free radical scavenging properties of Terminalia arjuna bark in PC-12 cells and plasmid DNA." Free radicals and antioxidants 3, no. 1 (2013): 35-39.

38.   Verma, Nibha, and Manjula Vinayak. "Effect of Terminalia arjuna on antioxidant defense system in cancer." Molecular Biology Reports 36 (2009): 159-164.

39.   Biswas, Moulisha, Kaushik Biswas, Tarun K. Karan, Sanjib Bhattacharya, Ashoke K. Ghosh, and Pallab K. Haldar. "Evaluation of analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of Terminalia arjuna leaf." Journal of Phytology 3, no. 1 (2011).

40.   Vijayalakshmi, R., N. Ambalavanan, and S. Rajeshkumar. "Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activity of Terminalia arjuna." Bioinformation 19, no. 2 (2023): 184.

41.   Dube, Nivedita, Chetan Nimgulkar, and Dinesh Kumar Bharatraj. "Validation of therapeutic anti-inflammatory potential of Arjuna Ksheera Paka–A traditional Ayurvedic formulation of Terminalia arjuna." Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine 7, no. 4 (2017): 414-420.

42.   Morshed, M. Alam, M. Azim Uddin, Tahrim Hasan, Tareq Ahmed, Fakhar Uddin, Mudasser Zakaria, Anwarul Haque, and Anowar Khasru Parvez. "Evaluation of analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect of Terminalia arjuna ethanol extract." International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research 2, no. 10 (2011): 2577-2585.

43.   Manna, Prasenjit, Mahua Sinha, and Parames C. Sil. "Aqueous extract of Terminalia arjuna prevents carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic and renal disorders." BMC complementary and alternative medicine 6 (2006): 1-10.

44.   Kumar, Kushal, Sarika Sharma, Vivek Vashishtha, Pushpender Bhardwaj, Ashish Kumar, Kalpana Barhwal, Sunil Kumar Hota, Udayabanu Malairaman, and Baljinder Singh. "Terminalia arjuna bark extract improves diuresis and attenuates acute hypobaric hypoxia induced cerebral vascular leakage." Journal of Ethnopharmacology 180 (2016): 43-53.

45.   Das, Koushik, Partha Pratim Chakraborty, Debidas Ghosh, and Dilip Kumar Nandi. "Protective effect of aqueous extract of Terminalia arjuna against dehydrating induced oxidative stress and uremia in male rat." Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research: IJPR 9, no. 2 (2010): 153.

46.   Unnisa, Aziz, Saheem Ahmad, Suresh Babu Jandrajupalli, Kareem M. Younes, Sally Hassan Abobaker, Swarnalatha Chandolu, and Mohammad Khalid. "Investigation of Terminalia arjuna as potential IL-4 and IL-13 modulator for the prevention of autoimmune diabetes: A Pharmacoinformatics-based study." Kuwait Journal of Science 50, no. 1A (2023).

47.   Meena, Dharmendra Kumar, Basanta Kumar Das, Amiya Kumar Sahoo, Narottam Prasad Sahu, Prem Prakash Srivastava, and Simanku Borah. "Terminalia arjuna Bark Powder as a Potential Immunomodulator in Labeo rohita: Enhanced Hematological, Adaptive, and Humoral Responses against Bacterial Pathogens and Concordant Liver Histomorphology." Pathogens 13, no. 4 (2024): 295.

48.   Aneja, Kamal Rai, Chetan Sharma, and Radhika Joshi. "Antimicrobial activity of Terminalia arjuna Wight & Arn.: An ethnomedicinal plant against pathogens causing ear infection." Brazilian Journal of otorhinolaryngology 78, no. 1 (2012): 68-74.

49.   Dwivedi, S., JP N. CHANSOURIA, P. N. Somani, and K. N. Udupa. "Effect of Terminalia arjuna on ischaemic heart disease." Alternative medicine 3, no. 2 (1989): 115-122.

50.   Dwivedi, S., and M. P. Agarwal. "Antianginal and cardioprotective effects of Terminalia arjuna, an indigenous drug, in coronary artery disease." The Journal of the Association of physicians of india 42, no. 4 (1994): 287-289.

51.   Bharani, Anil, Arunangshu Ganguli, L. K. Mathur, Yogendra Jamra, and P. G. Raman. "Efficacy of Terminalia arjuna in chronic stable angina: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study comparing Terminalia arjuna with isosorbide mononitrate." Indian Heart Journal 54, no. 2 (2002): 170-175.

52.   Bharani, A., A. Ganguly, and K. D. Bhargava. "Salutary effect of Terminalia arjuna in patients with severe refractory heart failure." International Journal of Cardiology 49, no. 3 (1995): 191-199.

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