ARJUNA

ARJUNA
Common name Arjuna myrobalan (E), Arjun (H) Sanskrit Arjuna, Kakubha Latin Terminalia arjuna Cortex (Combretaceae) Arjuna means white or shining named after its bark that literally reflects light wherever this huge tree grows. Its name is also associated with Arjuna one of the heroes of the great Indian epic, the Mahabharata. The pale white bark of the Arjuna tree moults off naturally once a year; its new skin bringing new life. It is harvested when the tree is mature, thus attesting to its ability to prolong life, protect the elderly and strengthen the heart. ENERGETICS Rasa (taste) Astringent, bitter Virya (action) Cooling Vipaka (post-digestive effect) Pungent Guna (quality) Light, dry Dosha effect Tridoshic, KPDhatu (tissue) Plasma, blood, bone, reproductive Srota (channel) Circulatory, reproductive CONSTITUENTS Tannins Triterpenoid saponins arjungenin, arjunglycocides Flavonoids arjunone, arjunolone Phytosterols1 BIO-MEDICAL ACTION Cardio-protective, cardiotonic, hypolipidaemic, hepatoprotective, alterative, diuretic, vulnerary INDICATIONS Heart Angina, congestive heart failure, cardiac arrhythmia, hypertension have all showed signs of improving in human clinical trials. It has also been shown to reduce human total cholesterol and triglyceride levels.2 It reduces inflammation (P) and congestion (K) that can damage the heart. Used to treat emotional disturbance and broken heart. It strengthens the muscles of the heart as well as toning the capillaries and improving flexability which helps to prevent high blood pressure. It helps to balance the movement of vyana vayu in the heart and regulate circulation. Lungs Its affinity for the chest directs Arjuna to the lungs and can help alleviate productive coughs with copious mucus in bronchitis and asthma due to excess kapha. It can also treat haemoptysis from high pitta. Liver Cirrhosis; it improves liver function and inflammation.3 Skin Useful as an alterative for clearing the skin of pitta inflammations; acne, acne rosacea, pruritus and urticaria.4 Tissue Its wound healing ability is demonstrated in post-trauma healing of scars, post-operative recovery and repairing fractures. A paste or tincture applied externally can rapidly hasten healing.5 It is used internally and externally for healing diabetic ulcers.
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Bone 1996 Dwivedi 1987, Indian drugs cited in Bone 1996 and Gupta et al: Journl of the association of Physician of India 49:231 3 Dwivedi 1987 4 Paranjpe

Sebastian Pole 2006

Reproductive Its astringency prevents premature ejaculation and uterine bleeding. AYURVEDIC ACTION Hridaya Heart tonic Varnya Ulcer healing, diabetic ulcers Prameghna Urinary disorders, diabetic problems Medas-hara Reduces fat tissue Mutravirechana Diuretic Vajikarana Aphrodisiac Rakta shodhana Purifies excess pitta from the blood Raktastambhaka Vulnerary, stops bleeding Sandaniya Mends bones Purisha sangrahaniya Constipative Kasaswasahara Alleviates cough and breathing disorders Kaphapittajit Conquers kapha and pitta Udardaprashanam Alleviates urticaria COMBINATIONS + Ashwagandha, Amalaki, Bala for cardiac disorders associated with hypofunction. + Turmeric, Kutki for hepatic dysfunction. + Sariva, Sandalwood, Neem, Manjishta for skin problems with inflammation. + Guggul, Frankincense, Myrrh for high cholesterol and congestive disorders. CONTRAINDICATIONS Pregnancy, constipation SAFETY No drug herb interactions are known DOSAGE 16g/day dried bark or 315ml/day of a 1:3 @ 45% tincture. NOTES It is a huge tree growing up to 25m. It loves riverbanks and lots of water, growing all over India and Sri Lanka. Arjuna is also the name of the legendary hero figure of the Mahabharata. He brings strength, fortitude and protection to his family just as Arjuna brings these qualities to the body. * Decocting the bark activates the Triterpenoid saponins. It has traditionally been boiled with milk or used as a medicated ghee, Arjuna grita, to add to its tonic properties.6 * Although originally classified in Charaka as a raktastambhana herb, used for stopping bleeding, it was only later writers (Vaghabata, Chakradatta) who classified it as beneficial for the heart (hrdaya).

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Paranjpe Tillotson. Chakrapanidatta.

Sebastian Pole 2006