Arjuna, or Terminalia arjuna, is a large evergreen tree that grows abundantly throughout India. Different parts of the tree have been used traditionally for a wide variety of ailments,[1][10][11] and the bark has often been used for cardiovascular concerns.[12][11] Traditionally, an extract has been made from arjuna by heating powdered bark in alcohol, clarified butter, or milk.[13][14]
What is arjuna?
Arjuna, or Terminalia arjuna, is a large evergreen tree that grows abundantly throughout India. Different parts of the tree have been used traditionally for a wide variety of ailments,[1][10][11] and the bark has often been used for cardiovascular concerns.[12][11] Traditionally, an extract has been made from arjuna by heating powdered bark in alcohol, clarified butter, or milk.[13][14]
What are arjuna’s main benefits?
Most of the randomized controlled trials examining arjuna have investigated its effects on cardiovascular health or heart function. Improvements in outcomes related to heart failure were found in 4 of 5 trials.[2][9][8][15][3]
One trial found arjuna effective for skin moisturization in postmenopausal women, but conflicts of interest reduce our confidence in the results.[16]
How does arjuna work?
Arjuna contains various compounds such as flavonoids (60%–70%), tannins (20–24%), phytosterols, triterpenoids, and saponins and has shown blood-pressure-lowering, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-atherosclerotic, and cardiotonic (strengthening the heart) effects.[13][1][17][12][18][19][20][14]
In studies in cats and dogs, arjuna reduced blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner, likely by activating adrenergic beta-2 receptors (which causes blood vessels to dilate), and/or by acting directly on heart muscle cells.[21][22][14]
In rodent studies, arjuna has shown anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting COX-2 enzymes and histamine and increasing antioxidant enzymes like glutathione S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase (which gets rid of hydrogen peroxide, a harmful byproduct of cellular metabolism).[23][24][25][26][27][12] Arjuna also inhibited lipid peroxidation and prevented the associated decrease in the levels of antioxidants such as glutathione.[28][18][19] In one study, arjuna decreased the size of atherosclerotic lesions (areas of plaque buildup), likely by decreasing cholesterol levels.[29]
In in vitro studies, arjuna extract improved the contractility and relaxation of rodent heart cells by increasing calcium levels.[30][13]
What are other names for Terminalia Arjuna?
Note that Terminalia Arjuna is also known as:
- Indradru
- Veeravriksha
- Partha
- Marudhu
- Yella maddi
- Arjhan
- Sadaru
Dosage information
Formulation:
Arjuna has been given as a capsule in many studies,[1][2][3][4][5] though it has been given as a powder as well.[6]
In the studies reviewed for the writing of this page, there were no measurements of the levels of the constituents in arjuna (such as arjunic acid or others) used in the study interventions.[7]
Range of dosages studied:
0.5 grams to 10 grams per day.[5][6]
Effective dosages:
Cardiovascular disease
Adults with cardiovascular disease (e.g., heart failure, metabolic syndrome) or without health conditions: 500 mg 1 to 3 times a day for 1 to 3 months.[3][4][8][9]
Frequently asked questions
What is arjuna?
What are arjuna’s main benefits?
Most of the randomized controlled trials examining arjuna have investigated its effects on cardiovascular health or heart function. Improvements in outcomes related to heart failure were found in 4 of 5 trials.[2][9][8][15][3]
One trial found arjuna effective for skin moisturization in postmenopausal women, but conflicts of interest reduce our confidence in the results.[16]
Does arjuna benefit cardiovascular disease?
In a 2014 meta-analysis of 2 small randomized controlled trials (RCTs), arjuna was as effective as prescription medication for 4 outcomes (e.g., exercise duration) in stable angina, though the study’s quality was poor. In one of the trials, arjuna was more effective than a placebo.[31] In the other trial, there was no placebo group to compare to.[32]
When compared to a placebo in RCTs or randomized crossover trials (most of which were small), arjuna improved cardiac functioning. For example, the left ventricular ejection fraction percentage (LVEF%), mitral regurgitation, diastolic function, the frequency of angina attacks, fatigue, and quality of life were improved in participants with conditions like congestive heart failure[9][8][15] and in participants without health conditions.[2] Arjuna’s effects have not been completely consistent across trials, because it did not improve LVEF%, walking speed, and quality of life in 1 RCT.[3]
Arjuna has inconsistently improved other outcomes associated with cardiovascular disease. For example, blood pressure, markers of inflammation (e.g., C-reactive protein), and blood lipids (e.g., triglycerides) were improved in 1 of 2 RCTs each.[6][2][3][4][5]
In addition, in 1 small before-and-after study, arjuna supplementation was associated with improvements in chronic venous insufficiency. It is difficult to say how much of a true effect arjuna might have had, because the participants performed other treatments, such as walking and leg massage, and there was no control group.[33]
How does arjuna work?
Arjuna contains various compounds such as flavonoids (60%–70%), tannins (20–24%), phytosterols, triterpenoids, and saponins and has shown blood-pressure-lowering, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-atherosclerotic, and cardiotonic (strengthening the heart) effects.[13][1][17][12][18][19][20][14]
In studies in cats and dogs, arjuna reduced blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner, likely by activating adrenergic beta-2 receptors (which causes blood vessels to dilate), and/or by acting directly on heart muscle cells.[21][22][14]
In rodent studies, arjuna has shown anti-inflammatory activity by inhibiting COX-2 enzymes and histamine and increasing antioxidant enzymes like glutathione S-transferase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase (which gets rid of hydrogen peroxide, a harmful byproduct of cellular metabolism).[23][24][25][26][27][12] Arjuna also inhibited lipid peroxidation and prevented the associated decrease in the levels of antioxidants such as glutathione.[28][18][19] In one study, arjuna decreased the size of atherosclerotic lesions (areas of plaque buildup), likely by decreasing cholesterol levels.[29]
In in vitro studies, arjuna extract improved the contractility and relaxation of rodent heart cells by increasing calcium levels.[30][13]
Update History
All new FAQs were added to this page.
major
Research written by
Edited by
Reviewed by
Research Breakdown
References
Examine Database References
- Mitral Regurgitation - Dwivedi S, Aggarwal A, Agarwal MP, Rajpal SRole of Terminalia arjuna in ischaemic mitral regurgitationInt J Cardiol.(2005 Apr 28)
- Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction - Bharani A, Ganguly A, Bhargava KDSalutary effect of Terminalia Arjuna in patients with severe refractory heart failureInt J Cardiol.(1995 May)
- Heart Size - S Dwivedi, R JauhariBeneficial effects of Terminalia arjuna in coronary artery diseaseIndian Heart J.(Sep-Oct 1997)
- Anaerobic Capacity - Sandhu JS, Shah B, Shenoy S, Chauhan S, Lavekar GS, Padhi MMEffects of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) and Terminalia arjuna (Arjuna) on physical performance and cardiorespiratory endurance in healthy young adultsInt J Ayurveda Res.(2010 Jul)
- Exercise Tolerance - Kaur N, Shafiq N, Negi H, Pandey A, Reddy S, Kaur H, Chadha N, Malhotra STerminalia arjuna in Chronic Stable Angina: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.Cardiol Res Pract.(2014)
