Arjuna

    
              Arjuna is a medicinal plant, which has been used for auyrvedic medicinal preparations for many thousand years. It is a deciduous tree, which grows above 60 feet height, and it is found abundantly in Indian subcontinent. The main parts of the tree, which is used for medicinal purposes, are the bark of the stem. It can be used in powder form or as extract. The extract of the bark of Terminalia Arjuna contain substances such as tannins, terpenoid saponins such as arjunic acid, arjunolicacid, arjungenin , Flavinoids, Phytosterols, calcium, magnesium, copper and zinc.

Cholesterol regulating properties- The extract obtained from the bark of Arjuna has known to induce a Hypolipidemic effect in the body. The extract promotes the removal of cholesterol by increasing the cholesterol metabolism by the liver. I t enhances the removal of the bad cholesterol or the LDL cholesterol by preventing its oxidation. Further it lowers the beta- lipoprotein lipids. It suppresses the cholesterol biosynthesis in the liver .It also improves the HDL cholesterol levels in the blood hereby providing a healthy lipid profile. It also helps to lower hypertension due to its Hypolipidemic effect. Arjuna also helps to maintain healthy phospholipid and tri glyceride levels in the blood.

Arjuna helps in strengthening of the heart muscles and maintaining healthy functioning of the heart. The bark of Arjuna is used especially in the treatment of heart diseases such as ischemic heart disease, angina, and myocardial infarction and in disturbed cardiac rhythm. It helps to reduce the effects of stress on the heart and also helps to regulate blood pressure. It also enhance the activity of prostaglandin. I t has a mild astringent and heamostatic properties. The bark of Arjuna also shows coronary riskfactor modulating properties. Arjuna has been chiefly used as a cardio protective medicine in ayurvedic treatments. The bark of Arjuna also has mild diuretic properties. It is also used in treatment of liver cirrhosis.

The bark of Arjuna is also used in the treatment of Congestive heart failure. More than 40% of the patients showed marked improvement after treatment with Arjuna. It is also used in the treatment of congestive cardiac failure due to chronic bronchitis and many patients were relieved by this treatment. Arjuna is also useful to treat symptomatic complaints of stress and hypertension. I t is useful to treat giddiness, headache, lack of concentration and sleeplessness. The bark of Arjuna also reduces bleeding and blood coagulation and prothrombin time. Arjuna has been used for treating patients recovering from heart attacks to prevent any further episodes. I t can be used for prolonged period of time without any side effects. It can be used on regular basis for maintaining healthy functioning of the heart. Arjuna is also to .reverse the hardening of the arterial wall.

Various ayurvedic preparations of this drug is available in the market. I t is chiefly available in the form of powder and the drug mixture is usually taken in the concoction form. The preparation of the mixture is relatively simple. The powder is boiled along with milk and water until it is reduced to half the amount and then it is taken on empty stomach. This type of mixture was found to be more effective than readymade capsules.