Arjuna (Terminalia Arjuna) is an herbal remedy for heart ailments; it can lessen effects of the heart’s stress and nervous conditions. Arjuna improves cardiac functioning and regulates blood pressure.
What is Arjuna? How does it reduce cholesterol?
What is Terminalia Arjuna herb? Arjuna refers to a bark of Terminalia Arjuna; this tree is an evergreen tree that grows in Himalayan forests. Arjuna is a medicinal herb, used in Ayurveda treatment to treat numerous disorders particularly used as a cardiac tonic.
How does Arjuna reduce cholesterol? The researchers clarify that lipid-reducing property of Arjuna is due to inhibition of hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis, increased fecal bile acid excretion, and simulation of receptor-mediated catabolism of LDL cholesterol.
Terminalia Arjuna inhibits hepatic HMGCoA reductase activity; suppression of this enzyme by Arjuna induces the expression of LDL receptors in the liver, which in turn increases the catabolism of plasma LDL and reduces the plasma concentration of cholesterol, an important determinant of atherosclerosis.
The widely available cholesterol-reducing drug statins are working similar to Arjuna. However, Arjuna has no side effects. It also lowers your risk for cardiovascular diseases. The Terminalia Arjuna can significantly reduce total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels.
How does Arjuna reduce your risk for heart diseases?
Arjuna is considering as a Cardiac Tonic & improves Vitality!
Arjuna improves cardiac muscle function and pumping activity of the heart. Its strength of contraction of heart muscle improvement is due to the saponin glycosides. The flavonoids and OPCs provide free radical antioxidant activity and vascular strengthening.
8 Medicinal Uses of Arjuna
- Arjuna shows improvement in lipid profile; there will be a significant decrease in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol.
- Arjuna can also normalize high blood pressure.
- COQ10 in Arjuna supports the heart's energy output, and enhances overall energy levels, stamina, immunity, and boosts antioxidant levels.
- Arjuna herb helps to reduce the effects of stress and nervousness on the heart.
- Arjuna can successfully decrease the persistence of angina attacks. Angina attack is a pain or tightness experiencing in the chest causing due to reduced blood flow to the heart.
- Arjuna shows a significant improvement in patients with congestive heart failure; the patient may find improvement in dyspnea, fatigue, edema and walking tolerance.
- Arjuna can help shed excess body weight.
- Arjuna has compounds that protect against DNA damage from toxins.
Recommended Arjuna daily dosage
A typical dose of dried bark of 1 to 3 grams daily, while for congestive heart failure, you can use 500 mg, bark extracts four times a day. So far, there is no documentation available regarding any toxicity of Arjuna.
Arjuna available in different forms
Over-the-counter Arjuna supplements are available in various forms; they are powder, oil, and tincture. Arjuna volatile oil is much more concentrated compared to other forms, and it may cause temporary oral or skin irritation or burning.
How do you take Arjuna?
Take 1 to 2 grams of Arjuna bark powder with milk every morning on an empty stomach. It is an effective heart stimulant.
Bioactive constituents of Arjuna
Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc and Copper, Arjunone, Arjunolone, Luteolin is the natural antioxidants. Gallic Acid, Ellagic Acid, Oleanolinic Acid, OPCs or Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins, Phytosterols (beta-sitosterol), TRITERPENOID SAPONINS: Arjunolic Acid, Arjunic Acid, Arjungenin, Arjunglycosides, TRITERPENOID GLYCOSIDES OR Arjuna Glycosides - Arjunine, Arjunetein, Arjunetosides, Coenzyme Q10, Friedlin, Cerasidin, and Tannin.
Scientific evidence for Arjuna as natural cholesterol herb
A study with a title “Anti-Atherogenic Activity of Ethanolic Fraction of Terminalia Arjuna Bark on Hypercholesterolemic Rabbits” it is published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2011; 2011:487916. The result shows that T. Arjuna significantly decreases total cholesterol, LDL, and triglyceride levels and increases HDL and lessen atherosclerosis. Hence, T. Arjuna extract can effectively prevent the progress of atherosclerosis. It is likely due to the effect of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Possible side effects & medicine interaction of Arjuna
Terminalia Arjuna can be in use with standard heart medications, including digoxin, diuretics, angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors, and vasodilators, without any adverse effects.
Arjuna lessens the ability of the blood to clot, so be caution if taking blood thinners.