|
A
unique herb that helps maintain a healthy
heart and reduces the effects of stress
and nervousness.
Arjuna
promotes effective cardiac functioning
and regulates blood pressure.
|
 |
Terminalia arjuna is a
shade and ornamental tree. Its principle
constituents are §-sitosterol, ellagic
acid and arjunic acid.
|
The
bark is useful as an anti-ischemic and cardioprotective
agent in hypertension and in ischemic heart
disease. It also has a tonic effect in cases
of cirrhosis of the liver. It induces a drug-dependent
decrease in blood pressure and heart rate. It
has been reported to possess protective cardiovascular
and hypolipidemic properties. It reduces the
level of triglycerides and cholesterol and has
been reported to enhance the synthesis of LDL-apoprotein
(apoB). It inhibits the oxidation of LDL and
accelerates the turnover of LDL-cholesterol
in liver. This enhances the elimination of cholesterol
from the body. The suppression of hepatic cholesterol
biosynthesis by Terminalia arjuna is the mechanism
responsible for a significant lowering of beta-lipoprotein
lipids and the recovery of HDL components in
hyperlipidemia.
In
a study on the efficacy of the bark powder in
treating congestive cardiac failure (CCF), over
40% of the cases showed marked improvement.
CCF due to congenital anomaly of heart and valvular
disease was also brought under control. 4 out
of 9 cases of CCF due to chronic bronchitis
were also relieved by the treatment. Arjuna
relieved symptomatic complaints of essential
hypertension viz. giddiness, insomnia, lassitude,
headache and the inability to concentrate. Oral
administration of an aqueous suspension of the
bark powder reduces coagulation, bleeding and
prothrombin time.
|