Arjuna

Terminalia arjuna

CombretaceaeIndian subcontinent: Deccan Plateau, eastern India, Sri Lanka; river banks and moist deciduous forests throughout the Indo-Gangetic plain

Description

overall appearance

A large, evergreen to semi-deciduous tree reaching 20–30 m in height with a spreading canopy and a large, buttressed trunk up to 1.5 m in diameter. The bark is a distinctive pale gray to pinkish-white, exfoliating in large, smooth, papery flakes.

roots

Deep, woody taproot system with extensive lateral roots; bark of buttress roots sometimes harvested medicinally; roots provide anchoring along erosion-prone riverbanks

stem

Trunk large and buttressed at base, up to 1.5 m diameter; bark pale gray-white to pinkish, smooth and peeling in flat flakes; young branches pendulous and drooping at tips

leaves

Subopposite, oblong to elliptic, 5–14 cm long and 2–4.5 cm wide; leathery, glossy green above; two glands at the base of the blade; margins entire or slightly wavy

flowers

Small, creamy-white, borne in axillary and terminal spikes 3–5 cm long; individually tiny (2–3 mm), fragrant; blooms March–June

fruits/seeds

Hard, woody, 5-winged drupes 2.5–5 cm long; wings fibrous and pale brown; seeds single, very hard; ripen September–November

Active Compounds

Arjunolic acid (triterpenoid glycoside, primary cardioactive compound)Arjunetin, arjungenin (triterpenoid saponins)Terminoside A (oleanolic acid glycoside)Arjunin, arjunic acid (pentacyclic triterpenes)Tannins: arjunin, gallic acid, ellagic acid, punicalinFlavonoids: arjunone, arjunolone, luteolin, quercetinMineral complex: high calcium, magnesium, zinc, and copper contentCasuarinin and castalagin (ellagitannins)

Traditional Uses

Ayurveda: primary cardiac tonic (hridaya daurbalya); described in Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita for heart failure, palpitations, and angina
Unani medicine: used as mufarreh qalb (cardiac tonic) and for wound healing
Traditional Indian medicine: treatment of fractures and bone injuries (accelerates callus formation)
Ayurvedic use for asthma and cough: bark decoction as bronchodilator and expectorant
Treatment of urinary tract disorders and kidney stones in folk medicine throughout India
Wound healing: bark powder applied topically to ulcers, cuts, and skin infections
Liver tonic: used in jaundice and chronic liver conditions in traditional Ayurveda
Aphrodisiac and reproductive tonic in Ayurvedic tradition for male vitality

Modern Applications

Cardiac insufficiency: clinical trials demonstrate improved ejection fraction and reduced symptoms in compensated heart failure (500 mg bark extract 3×/day)
Coronary artery disease: reduces LDL oxidation, improves endothelial function, and has anti-ischemic effects
Antihypertensive: ACE-inhibitory tannins lower blood pressure in hypertensive animal models and clinical pilots
Antiplatelet: arjunetin inhibits platelet aggregation comparable to aspirin in some studies
Hepatoprotective: reduces ALT/AST elevations and protects against carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage
Antioxidant: ellagitannins and flavonoids scavenge DPPH, superoxide, and hydroxyl radicals
Antimicrobial: bark extracts active against S. aureus, E. coli, and drug-resistant Klebsiella
Anti-inflammatory: inhibits COX-1/COX-2 and reduces NF-κB signaling in macrophage models

⚠️ Safety Information

Contraindications

Bradycardia or heart block: glycosides may further slow AV conduction
Pregnancy: uterine-stimulating tannins; avoid
Hypotension: additive blood pressure lowering in already hypotensive patients
Hepatic disease: high tannin load may be hepatotoxic in liver failure
Children under 12: safety data absent

Side Effects

Constipation with prolonged high-dose use due to high tannin content
Headache and dizziness in hypotension-prone individuals
Nausea and gastric discomfort on empty stomach
Rare: mild liver enzyme elevation with very high doses (>3 g/day)

Drug Interactions

Cardiac glycosides (digoxin): additive chronotropic and inotropic effects; risk of toxicity
Antihypertensive agents (beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors): additive hypotensive effect; monitor BP
Anticoagulants and antiplatelets (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel): enhanced antiplatelet activity; bleeding risk
Antidiabetic agents: modest hypoglycemic activity may compound insulin or metformin effects
CYP3A4 substrates: tannins may alter absorption and bioavailability of co-administered drugs

Parts Used

Bark (primary medicinal part, harvested as outer bark)
Leaves
Fruit
Root bark (less common)

Preparation Methods

Bark decoction (arjuna ksheera paka — milk decoction): 3–6 g bark boiled in 250 mL milk and water (1:1) until reduced by half; taken twice daily in Ayurveda

Standardized bark extract (standardized to arjunic acid): 500 mg three times daily

Bark powder (churna): 1–3 g with honey or warm water twice daily

Tincture (1:5 in 45% ethanol): 5–10 mL twice daily

Combination cardiac formula: Arjuna 500 mg + Ashwagandha 300 mg + Guggul 200 mg as standardized tablet

Topical bark paste: powdered bark mixed with sesame oil applied to wounds and bruises