It acts similar to the beta-blocker. Also, it is a powerful antioxidant, protects the liver. Often, it is effective when combining with ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri) and guggul (Commiphora Mukul) in heart formulas.
Hypertension Herb Arjuna
Arjuna Plant: Arjuna tree is about 60-80 feet in height, and seen along rivers, streams, and dry water bodies. It belongs to the family of Combretaceae. The Scientific name of Arjuna is Terminalia Arjuna.
Arjuna is a famous cardiac tonic. Traditionally used to support circulation and oxygenation of tissues.
Arjuna nutritional value: Arjuna bark is rich in co-enzyme Q-10, saponins, tannins, natural antioxidants (flavonoids) as well as minerals such as magnesium, zinc, copper and calcium.
Different available forms of the Arjuna: Arjuna bark, Arjuna bark powder, Arjuna bark extract capsules, and Arjuna tincture.
Recommended daily dosage for Arjuna: You can take 3 to 6 grams of Arjuna powder dissolved in water once daily. Alternatively, 250 to 500 mg extract capsules twice daily. Maximum allowable dosage is 24 grams per day (in divided doses).
How do you take Arjuna? Arjuna bark decoction is being used in the Indian subcontinent for angina pain, hypertension, congestive heart failure, and dyslipidemia, based on the observations of ancient physicians for centuries.
How does Arjuna lower blood pressure?
Arjuna bark lower blood pressure, it do so by below listed mechanism of action.
- It increased the force of contraction of cardiac muscle may be due to coQ10 content.
- Its bark has mild diuretic properties.
- It prevents narrowing of blood vessels by reducing atherosclerotic lesions and plaque deposits in blood vessels.
Arjuna’s scientific evidence
Arjuna has shown useful in improving cardiovascular endurance and in lowering Systolic BP in normal healthy subjects. [International Journal of Ayurveda Research 2010; 1:144–9.]
Ten patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) received 4 g of Arjuna bark powder twice daily for one month. There is fall in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. [Journal of Research and Education in Indian Medicine 1988; 7:31–6]
15 Medicinal Uses of Arjuna
- Hypertensive - Arjuna bark is a mild diuretic, reduce clot formation, lower blood lipid levels, and improves a cardiac function that help lower blood pressure. Arjuna can relieve symptomatic complaints of hypertension such as giddiness, lassitude, headache, hot flashes, insomnia, and inability to concentrate.
- Peptic ulcers - Arjuna bark are safe, natural herb for ulcer and their ulcer protection action is comparable with Ranitidine, but without any harmful side effects.
- Improves heart function - Regular use of Arjuna strengthen cardiac muscle and improves the pumping activity of the heart. Thus, it is useful for heart weakness and congestive heart failure.
- Useful for heart conditions - Arjuna bark is useful for ischemic heart disease, especially in disturbed cardiac rhythm, angina or myocardial infarction. Arjuna bark is rich in Co-enzyme Q-10, which prevents heart attacks.
- Tachycardia & Palpitation - 3 months treatment with Arjuna bark powder significantly reduces palpitation and abnormally high heartbeat.
- Angina/myocardial infarction – Arjuna significantly decreases the mean angina frequency, decrease systolic blood pressure, improves ECG, and reduce plasma cortisol & serum cholesterol. [Alternative Medicine Review 1989; 3:115–22.]
- Chronic heart failure – 4 grams of Arjuna bark powder twice daily for a month improves heart function, fall in blood pressure, and overall wellbeing. [The Journal of Research and Education in Indian Medicine. 1988; 7:31–6.]
- Rheumatic heart disease – Patients taking 200 mg of Arjuna extract thrice daily significantly reduce heart size. [Journal of the Association of Physicians of India 1991; 39:801.]
- Ischemic mitral regurgitation - Patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) taking Arjuna was found to decrease IMR and angina frequency significantly. Also, there was also a significant improvement in diastolic dysfunction. [International Journal of Cardiology. 2005; 100:507–8.]
- Dyslipidemia - Patients with coronary heart disease taken 1 g of bark powder twice daily with milk for four months showed improvement in lipid profile. [Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Siddha 2000; 21:37–40.]
- Lipoprotein (a) - Arjuna significantly reduced Lp (a) by about 24.7% in a patient of β-thalassemia. [Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 2007; 13:287–9.]
- Endothelial dysfunction – Hydro-alcoholic extract of Arjuna bark given for two weeks significantly regression of the endothelial abnormality amongst smokers. [Indian Heart Journal 2004; 56:123–8.]
- DNA protection - Arjuna has compounds that protect against DNA damage from toxins. Toxins are extremely poisonous substances include medications in huge amounts and toxins released by the germs such as bacteria. Cholera develops due to a bacterial toxin.
- Liver cirrhosis – Arjuna significantly improve the markers of liver functions and is good natural herb for all liver disorders.
- Anti-inflammatory - Indian tribes chew the fresh Arjuna bark and swallow the juice as an antacid. Boil the bark powder with water, and inhale it to cure a headache. They also use fruit paste topically on wounds.
Arjuna side effects or warnings
There are no known side effects reported with Arjuna. Rarely, Arjuna may cause slight constipation and flatulence. Very high dosage may harm your liver. Excessive ingestion may reduce thyroid function.
You can take Arjuna along with your hypertension medication (don't stop it).
If your blood pressure drops after few days of Arjuna use, then you can reduce the dosage and monitor your blood pressure closely for any raise. If it raises, then change back to your original medicine dosage. In the other hand, if BP reduces further after some days of practice then again you can reduce the drug dose!