Botanical Name – Terminalia Arjuna
Family – Combretaceae
English Name- Arjuna tree
Synonyms – Dhananjaya, Kaakubha, Kakubha, Aartagala, Indravriksha, Paartha, Virataru, Viravriksha.
Morphological characteristics
• Arjuna is a large deciduous tree with spreading crown and drooping branches.
• It attains a height of up to 35 m.
• Its bark is thick, grey to pinkish green, smooth, thin, coming off in irregular sheets.
• Leaves are usually sub-opposite, 10–15 cm long, and 4–7 cm broad; base is rounded or heart shaped, often unequal sided; veins are reticulate.
Floral characteristics
• Flowers are sessile and occur in simple or panicled spikes.
• Calyx is glabrous and has five short triangular lobes.
• Fruit is a fibrous-woody drupe, about 2.5–5 cm in size.
• It is dark brown when mature and has five hard, projecting, veined wings.
• Flowering occurs from May to June, while fruits mature from January to March.
Therapeutic uses
• The bark of Arjun is astringent, sweet, acrid, cooling, aphrodisiac, urinary astringent, and expectorant, but, chiefly used as cardio tonic as it improves blood supply to heart.
• It is also useful in ulcer treatment, fractures, cirrhosis of liver, ischaemic heart disease, and hypertension.
Part Used:- Bark
Dosage:-
o Arjun bark powder – 1- 3 g, two to three times a day, boiled with water or milk.
o Decoction – 50 – 100 ml.
Chemical Constituents-
• The tannin cardiac glycoside is reported from bark as well as fruit.
• The usual range is 20%–24% in stem bark and 7%–20% in fruit.
BENEFITS OF ARJUNA: –
IN HEART DISEASE-
Arjuna might be beneficial in managing heart diseases as it acts as a cardiotonic and strengthens the heart muscles. Certain constituents such as Tannins and glycosides present in Arjuna bark have an antioxidant property that protects the heart muscles and blood vessels against damage caused by free radicals Tips: 1. Take 4-8 teaspoons of Arjuna kwath. 2. Add same quantity of milk or water to it. 3. Drink once or twice a day after food to reduce the risk of heart disease.
IN DIARRHEA-
Arjuna might be beneficial in managing diarrhea. Certain constituents present in Arjuna has antimicrobial and astringent properties. It also has an antibacterial property that controls the intestinal infection caused by microorganisms. It regulates the gut motility and prevents excessive loss of water and electrolytes from the body. Diarrhea is known as Atisar in Ayurveda. It is due to improper food, impure water, toxins, mental stress and Agnimandya (weak digestive fire). All these factors are responsible for aggravating Vata. Tips for taking Arjuna Kwath 1. Take10- 20- ml of Arjuna kwath or as directed by the Physician. 2. Add honey or water and take after taking light food to control diarrhea.
