Arjuna (Kakubha, Partha, Shvetavaha)

Properties

Anti-inflammatory, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Cardioprotective, Anti-platelet

Dosage

Powder: 2-4 g; Decoction: 50-100 ml

Classical attributes

• Rasa: Astringent, bitter, slightly pungent
• Virya: Cooling
• Vipaka: Pungent

Benefits

• Terminalia arjuna, a herb used in Ayurvedic medicine, has been studied for its potential benefits in cardiovascular health
• Cardiotonic
• Astringent
• Hemostatic
• Wound healing

Traditional uses

• Cardiac debility
• Cardiomegaly
• Angina
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol

Dosha effects

• vata: balancing
• kapha: aggravating
• pitta: aggravating

Preparation methods

• Juice: Standard preparation as per API.
• Decoction in water: Standard preparation as per API.
• Powder: Standard preparation as per API.
• Ghrita (Arjuna Ghrita): Standard preparation as per API.
• Arjuna Ksheerapak (decoction with milk): Standard preparation as per API.
• Arjunarishta: Standard preparation as per API.
• Kakubhadi churna: Standard preparation as per API.
• Parthadyarishta: Standard preparation as per API.
• Pushyarsuga churna: Standard preparation as per API.
• Ashwagandharishta: Standard preparation as per API.
• Arvirsdasava: Standard preparation as per API.
• Devadarvyarishta: Standard preparation as per API.
• Arjuna Tablets: Standard preparation as per API.

Contraindications

• Pregnancy
• Breastfeeding
• Allergy to Arjuna
• Constipation
• Renal impairment

Side effects

• May lower blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Caution advised for individuals at risk of bleeding or taking blood-thinning medications. Monitor blood sugar levels closely if taking anti-diabetic medications. Can exacerbate constipation. May cause stomach upset and diarrhea.

Interactions

• Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet drugs (e.g., warfarin, apixaban, aspirin, ibuprofen, clopidogrel, prasugrel, and ticagrelor)
• Anti-hypertensive drugs
• Anti-diabetic drugs
• Medications changed by the liver (Cytochrome P450 2C9, 3A4, 2D6 substrates)
• Omeprazole

Clinical evidence

Terminalia arjuna, a herb used in Ayurvedic medicine, has been studied for its potential benefits in cardiovascular health. A randomized controlled trial (PMID: 27749730) found that while Arjuna extract did not improve left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF), it did improve functional capacity, antioxidant reserves, and symptom-related quality of life in some patients. Two reviews (PMID: 20874682, 22583146) discuss Terminalia arjuna's traditional use and potential cardioprotective properties, including antioxidant, anti-ischemic, antihypertensive, and antihypertrophic effects. However, they also highlight the need for better standardization, toxicity studies, and rigorous clinical trials to validate its efficacy and safety in modern medicine.

Ayurvedic karmas

• Cardiotonic
• Astringent
• Hemostatic
• Wound healing
• Hypolipidemic
• Febrifuge
• Antioxidant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Antimicrobial
• Adaptogenic
• Immunomodulatory
• Hepatoprotective
• Antipyretic
• Expectorant

Classical clinical indications

• Cardiac debility
• Cardiomegaly
• Angina
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Congestive heart failure
• Heart attack
• Asthma
• Cough
• Ulcers
• Skin diseases
• Fractures
• Diabetes
• Gonorrhea
• Menorrhagia
• Leucorrhoea
• Herpes
• Leucoderma
• Tumors
• Cirrhosis

Frequently asked questions