Arjuna: The Ayurvedic heart care solution

 

     Arjuna is one of the most potent herb in Ayurveda used individually and as in combination. The word “Arja” means “strength” and the basonym of the herb indicates that it gives strength to heart, hence useful in cardiac conditions. Arjuna is one of the popular herb used by Dr. Varun Ram Raj of Ayurvedatarian for the treatment of hypertension and also a general cardio-tonic. The antioxidant and hypercholesterolaemic action of Arjuna are proven facts, which is making a global herb choice for heart care. Arjuna is also known as the herb present with Coenzyme  Q10, which offers cardio- protective properties. 

GENERAL ASPECTS AND GEOGRAPHY

Botanical name : Terminalia arjuna Wight and Arn. 

Family : Combretaceae

Habitat: Commonly grows on river banks

PARTS USED

• Bark

CLASSICAL CATEGORIZATION based on AYURVEDA TEXTBOOKS 

Charaka Samhita – Udarda Prashamana - Udarda is a skin condition caused by allergic nature of an individual or due to low immunity as per Ayurveda 

Susruta Samhita - Nyagrodhadi gana

PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTION 

Cardiotonic, 

Anti-dysenteric

 Diuretic, 

Anti-hypertensive 

Medicinal property according to Ayurveda

Vranahara ( helps in healing ulcers) 

Artighna ( helps in relieving pain) 

 Rakthapittahara ( helps in bleeding disorders) 

Hrdya ( Arjuna is a good cardiotonic) 

THERAPEUTIC INDICATIONS

1. Hrdroga (Cardiac disorders) - Arjuna and Godhuma (wheat) are mixed and cooked with ghee, oil, milk and jaggery. It is used in Cardiac diseases
2. Sukrameha (Spermaturia) – Decoction made up of Arjuna is useful in Spermaturia
3. Kushta (Skin diseases ) – Paste of Arjuna and honey is used as an external application in certain skin ailments. 
4. Bhagna( Fracture) – Intake of churna of Arjuna and Laksha ( Laccifer lacca)  mixed with ghee reduces pain and promotes union in fracture.
5. Arjuna is also used in conditions like Medoroga (Disorders with impaired fat metabolism , Prameha ( Diabetes), Thrishna ( Disorders with thirst as a symptom) , Bhagna ( Fracture) etc. 

DOSAGE

Decoction (Kashaya)– 90 ml and  Kshira Paka or as Milk decoction 20-30 ml

Powder (Churna)– 6 g

Tablet - 2 tablets twice daily or as per the advice of the Ayurveda doctor 

Note: Ayurveda medications must be taken only after consulting an Ayurveda doctor. 

FORMULATIONS 

• Parthadyarishta
• Arjunadi taila
• Kakubhadi vati
• Sarivadi vati
• Kakubhadi churna 

Morphology :

Large tree with horizontally spreading branches

Bark is smooth and greyish

Leaves are sub opposite, elliptic oblong, pale green above and brown beneath

Inflorescence is short axillary spikes or terminal panicles

Flowers are sessile

Fruit is drupe and of ovoid shape

VERNACULAR NAMES OF ARJUNA 

English – White Murdah

Hindi- Arjun

Kannada- Bilimatti

Malayalam – Maruthu

Marathi- Anjan

SYNONYMS OF ARJUNA 

Dhawal

Svethavaha

Nadeesarja

Sarpana

Kakubha

Devasaala

RASAPANCHAKA OF ARJUNA 

Rasa- Kashaya (Astringent)

Guna- Laghu (light), Ruksha (dry)

Vipaka- Katu (Pungent)

Virya- Sita (cold)

Prabhava – Hrdya (Cardioprotective)

  The Astringent taste and extra-ordinary cardio-protective nature is making Arjuna a good choice of herb in the treatment of Ayurvedatarian professionals. Dr. Varun Ram Raj, is leading the research for Ayurvedatarian single herbs and herbal combinations for making the availability of high quality herbal as well as Ayurvedic products to the globe. 

RESEARCHES ON ARJUNA

1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5198828/

2) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4220499/

Frequently asked Questions

1) Is Arjuna a good heart tonic?

   Yes, Arjuna is good heart tomic as per Ayurveda. It is known for the presence of Coenzyme Q10 which offers the cardio protective nature as per the researches conducted. 

2) What is dosage of Arjuna Tablet?

  Ayurvedatarian suggests a direct or online Ayurveda consultation to fix the individual dosage of Arjuna Tablet. 

3) Does Arjuna help in hypertension?

   Yes, as per Ayurveda studies Arjuna have shown reduction in blood pressure under proper intake regimen. In case of Hypertension the medications including Arjuna must be taken after consulting a doctor.