Role of Terminalia arjuna In Coronary Artery Disease

Terminalia Arjuna, a special herb that acts as a cardiac tonic, manages all the cardiovascular problems of the humans. It is a plant that belongs to the Combretaceae family under the kingdom Plantae. Arjuna usually grows around river banks and is commonly found in Bangladesh, West Bengal and various places in all over India. The widely useful part in the treatment is the bark of the Arjuna tree.

PROPERTIES OF TERMINALIA ARJUNA

As per Ayurveda, this quotation defines the properties of the herb Arjuna.

Reference: Bhava Prakasha Nighantu / Vatadi Varga / Shloka no. 27

Arjuna is also called as kakumbha, it is astringent in taste, cold in potency, act as a cardiac tonic, and also useful in various diseases such as tuberculosis, blood disorders, diabetes, alleviates adipose deposition, manages kapha and pitta disorders and even promotes the faster wound healing.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

This herb contains the active contents – calcium carbonate, tannins, glycosides, sodium and even traces of chlorides, etc.

Basically, Arjuna has the following qualities: Cardiac protective and stimulant, Antihyperglycemic, Anti-hypertensive, Wound healing, Anti-ischemic, Anti-atherogenic, Antihyperlipidemic, Anti-thrombotic, Antihemorrhagic, etc. Hence, beneficial in treating various heart problems.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF TERMINALIA ARJUNA IN CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE?

As discussed earlier, Arjuna is a cardiac tonic hence plays a major role in dealing with all the problems related to the heart. In the case of Coronary artery disease (CAD) the blood flow to the heart muscles get reduced or hampered which commonly occurs due to plaque formation in the arteries of the heart. This develops various consequences in the body such as angina, myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac arrest, heart failure, etc. To deal with all these things Arjuna is an herb of choice. Moreover, there are various risk factors that can develop this problem like obesity, hypertension, high blood cholesterol, etc. This herb is also beneficial to manage these risk factors as well as complications.

Alleviates Cholesterol Level

Terminalia arjuna directly acts on ‘Meda dhatu’ in the body that means it alleviates the fat deposition. In subtle form Cholesterol is also a derivative of fatty acid. Here, indirectly fats can be considered as a low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Because of its bitter, pungent, and astringent taste, it cuts off the growth of plaques in the arteries or even dissolves and digest them from the blood stream as a toxin (ama).

Anti-hypertensive

This herb is cold in potency and can manage pita dosha in our body and reduces the tension of blood against the arteries and manages blood pressure. Basically, it is due to the anti-hyperlipidemic property.

Thrombolytic Agent

Any clot in the arteries if developed, can be easily managed by the use of Arjuna bark. Moreover, this herb has an anti-thrombotic property which clears the channels of coronary arteries.

Cardiac Stimulant

Being a cardiac stimulant, Terminalia arjuna stimulates the functions of the heart. Maintains the ejection fraction of the heart thereby maintains the proper blood supply to the cardiac muscles and prevents coronary vascular diseases.

Cardiac Tonic

This herb is full of antioxidants hence prevents the body from free radical damage. It acts as a cardiac protector hence provides strength to the heart. It maintains the normal structure as well as the function of the heart.

Maintains The Health Of Cardiac Vessels

Anti-atherogenic property of Arjuna helps to maintain the tonicity of the blood vessels. Maintains the consistent and rhythmic flow of blood to all the major as well as minor arteries.

Reduces Inflammation

Due to its anti-inflammatory property it can reduce the inflammation of the heart and blood vessels. It also eliminates the extra accumulated fluid in the cardiac region due to its anulomaka property. Thus it manages the coronary heart problem by balancing the kapha and pitta dosha in the body.

Heals The Wound

Due to the presence of kashaya (astringent) taste it has Vrana ropak property. It can heal the lumen or inner layers of the arteries which are usually eroded during the extraction of plaques.

Planet Ayurveda offers various products containing Terminalia arjuna for management of coronary artery diseases. They offer "Heart Care Pack". This pack includes:

1. Total Heart Support
2. Arjuna Capsules
3. Arjuna Tea

Heart Care Pack

1. Total Heart Support

These capsules have the main ingredient Arjuna herb in the form of standardized extract around 200 mg in quantity. It contains some other herbs as well such as Ashwagandha, Brahmi, etc. These capsules are beneficial in coronary artery diseases, keeps the blood pressure, cholesterol and other problems under control.

Dosage – 1 to 2 capsules twice daily with plain water, after meals.

2. Arjuna Capsules

The pure extract of the Arjuna herb is utilized in the capsule form. It is widely used in all heart problems. It helps in clearing all the blocked passages or channels of the heart region. Along with this these capsules improves the HDL levels and pacifies the high LDL levels. It provides strength to the whole cardiovascular system.

Dosage – 1 to 2 capsules once or twice daily with plain water, after meals.

3. Arjuna Tea

It is a rich source of CO-Q10 which helps to maintain the normal cardiac functions, maintains the normal blood pressure levels, and lowers the cholesterol and triglyceride levels. This herbal tea can be used on a regular basis to avert the issues related to the cardiac system. It improves the ejection fraction and helps to treat angina, even heart failure.

Usage – Ideal to use 1 or 2 cups daily.