Arjun is a tree common in Central and South India. Its bark has a long history of use in
Ayurvedic medicine
(the traditional medicine of India) for the treatment of heart problems. Other uses of various parts of the Arjun tree include hemorrhage, diarrhea, irregular menstruation, skin ulcers, acne, wounds, and fractures.
Evidence suggests that
Terminalia arjuna
may have blood vessel–relaxing properties.
1
The herb has shown promise in the treatment of
angina
, a condition in which blood vessels in the heart cannot carry adequate oxygen to the heart muscle.
2,3
In addition, exceedingly weak evidence suggests that terminalia may have antimicrobial effects, providing benefits against amoebas and other microorganisms.
4,5
One study has been used to indicate that terminalia can improve cholesterol levels, but in fact it proves little because the study was not double-blind.
6
A 1-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial of 58 individuals evaluated the effectivness of terminalia for
angina
by comparing it against placebo and also against the standard drug isosorbide mononitrate.
7
The results indicated that the herb reduced anginal episodes and increased exercise capacity. It was more effective than placebo and approximately as effective as the medication.
A subsequent 3-month study compared the effectiveness of
Terminal arjuna
against placebo in 40 people with a recent
heart attack
.
8
All participants in this study suffered from a particular complication of a heart attack called ischaemic mitral regurgitation. The results showed that use of the herb improved heart function and reduced angina symptoms.
A combination
Ayurvedic therapy
containing terminalia and approximately 40 other herbs has also shown some promise for angina.
9
A typical dosage of
Terminalia arjuna
is 500 mg two or three times daily.
Use of terminalia has not been associated with any severe adverse effects. However, comprehensive safety studies have not been performed. Safety in young children, pregnant or nursing women, or people with severe liver or kidney disease has not been established.
Bharani A, Ahirwar LK, Jain N, et al.
Terminalia arjuna
reverses impaired endothelial function in chronic smokers.
Indian Heart J
. 2004;56:123–8.
Dwivedi S, Aggarwal A, Agarwal MP, et al. Role of
Terminalia arjuna
in ischaemic mitral regurgitation.
Int JCardiol
. 2005;100:507–8.
Bharani A, Ganguli A, Mathur LK, et al. Efficacy of
Terminalia arjuna
in chronic stable angina: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study comparing
Terminalia arjuna
with isosorbide mononitrate.
Indian Heart J
. 2002;54:170–175.
Sohni YR, Kaimal P, Bhatt RM. The antiamoebic effect of a crude drug formulation of herbal extracts against
Entamoeba histolytica
in vitro and in vivo.
J Ethnopharmacol
. 1995;45:43–52.
Silva O, Duarte A, Pimentel M, et al. Antimicrobial activity of
Terminalia macroptera
root.
J Ethnopharmacol
. 1997;57:203–7.
Gupta R, Singhal S, Goyle A, et al. Antioxidant and hypocholesterolaemic effects of
Terminalia arjuna
tree-bark powder: a randomised placebo-controlled trial.
J Assoc Physicians India
. 2001;49:231–5.
Bharani A, Ganguli A, Mathur LK, et al. Efficacy of
Terminalia arjuna
in chronic stable angina: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study comparing
Terminalia arjuna
with isosorbide mononitrate.
Indian Heart J
. 2002;54:170–175.
Dwivedi S, Aggarwal A, Agarwal MP, et al. Role of
Terminalia arjuna
in ischaemic mitral regurgitation.
Int JCardiol
. 2005;100:507-8.
Antani J, Kulkarni R, Antani N. Effect of Abana on ventricular function in ischaemic heart disease.
Japanese Heart Journal
. 1990;31:829–835.
Last reviewed October 2007 by EBSCO CAM Review Board
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