Arjuna protects your heart |
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Arjuna (lat. Terminalia Arjuna) is a plant which ayurvedic doctors have been using to treat heart disease. This is why it is also known as the "protector of the heart".
In Sanskrit arjuna means "silver" or "shiny".
It received the name after a homonymous hero from the epic of Mahabharata, due to its protective function.
Arjuna is an evergreen tree from Combretaceae family which grows by the rivers of the western Bengal and dry river beds of the central and southern India.
Once a year arjuna's bark peels off on its own, which encouraged people 3000 years ago to gather it, process it and dry it, making it one of the most well-known ayurvedic remedies.
Its taste is bitter and acrid. Ayurveda defines it as a holy plant balancing all the three doshas.
Arjuna's composition
Arjuna's bark contains the arjunic and tannic acid, tannins, saponins, flavonoids and gallic acid.
It is rich in calcium, magnesium, zinc and copper.
It abounds in fitosterols, active biological compounds which are being studied with an ever increasing frequency because of their ability to help prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases.
Flavonoids are active fitonutrients whose consumption is linked to numerous positive effects on the health.
They have been shown to help reduce inflammation and influence cognitive functions. They improve the functions of the heart and blood vessels and are attracting an increased attention from scientists as a cancer prevention.
Perfect tonic for the heart
Long before the modern medicine started studying its beneficial effects, arjuna was used for centuries as a universal tonic for heart disease.
Although other ayurvedic plants also have a healing effect on vascular disease, arjuna has shown to be the best natural remedy for the heart due to its amazing wealth of active compounds.
It has proved to be an extraordinary adaptogenic agent stimulating bodily functions according to the needs of the organism, without harmful side effects.
Naturopathists use it to treat circulatory problems and the irregular heartbeat.
It has been applied to alleviate chest pains, difficulties breathing, vertigo and other symptoms of high blood pressure.
In one of the studies, in which the patients used the arjuna extract, there was a significant improvement in the relief of the angina pectoris symptoms.
Another study, published in Indian Heart magazine, reported a reduction in bouts of angina pectoris by 80 percent thanks to the arjuna extract that the patients used.
Studies have found that arjuna helps prevent heart attack as a parallel therapy along with the existing medications which stimulate the elimination of excess liquid (diuretics), affect the heart function (digoxin) and the dilation of blood vessels.
Arjuna protects the heart muscle from weakness and failure and helps supply the heart with oxygen.
It strengthens the muscle and helps the tissue repair after surgery or a heart attack.
Thanks to phytosterols, it is effective in reducing the levels of bad cholesterol by dissolving the plaque in blood vessels.
Natural aid for smokers
This healing ayurvedic plant also protects smokers.
A study on smoking men aged 28 to 36, who took arjuna during two weeks, found they had a reduced endothelial dysfunction.
This is one of the initial processes in the development of atherosclerosis, on which arjuna had a beneficial effect thanks to its active biological ingredients.
Atherosclerosis in smokers is directly caused by the action of tobacco smoke on the blood vessel wall, and indirectly through the influence on the composition of fats in the blood.
Due to smoking there is a constant increase of triglycerides and a decrease in the levels of good cholesterol (HDL), a factor that protects from the development of atherosclerosis.
Smoking also raises the level of the blood clotting factor and consequently narrows the blood vessels and raises the blood pressure. These are all the factors that accelerate the onset of atherosclerosis.
Arjuna reduces the cholesterol, lowers the blood pressure and dissolves the plaque accumulated in the blood vessels thus providing smokers with the natural protection from cardiovascular diseases.
Protection from skin infections and sexually transmitted diseases
Since it as has a strong antiviral and antibacterial activity, arjuna has been used for centuries in the treatment of skin diseases.
It enables a quicker wound healing thanks to active ingredients influencing coagulation and the formation of collagen.
Due to its anti inflammatory compounds, natural medicine has been using it to alleviate vaginal infections.
In modern times, arjuna has been studied for its potential healing usefulness in the treatment of HIV and the sexually transmitted diseases.
"Smart" drug for digestive ailments
Ayurveda considers arjuna as a plant that naturally and intuitively aids the digestive system.
That's why it is equally useful in stimulating digestion as against obstipation and diarrhea.
In the past, it served as a remedy against dysentery and for the recovery of the organism from exhaustion.
Other beneficial properties of arjuna
This healing plant is used against kidney problems and as a natural protection for liver and bile.
Arjuna tea has traditionally been used against kidney pains, for breaking and excreting kidney stones and as a protection for liver in cases of cirrhosis.
Arjuna is considered as a natural agent protecting DNA from damage by toxins.
It also helps the body fight the consequences of stress and nervousness.
Beneficial properties of arjuna
- protects heart and blood vessels
- prevents heart attack
- alleviates angina pectoris
- lowers blood pressure
- stimulates circulation
- strengthens heart muscle
- lowers cholesterol
- naturally stimulates digestion
- helps with kidney stones
- helps heart muscle recover after heart attack
- accelerates wound healing
Use of arjuna
Arjunas is most frequently used as a dried bark powder for making tea, juice or a drink mixed with milk.
In the Croatian market it is most frequently found as an organic tea made with water and used to strengthen the heart, revitalize the organism and alleviate digestive and skin ailments.
The recommended daily dose is 5 g (one teaspoon), poured over by 5 dl of hot water. When the tea cools down, you can add honey or other sweetener to taste.
With an expert's recommendation, a patient can take higher quantities of arjuna, depending on his health and needs.
Interactions and side effects
Arjuna is not recommended to nursing mothers, pregnant women and people with low blood pressure.
It must not be taken with blood thinners.
Where to purchase
Organic arjuna powder may be found in Alternativa Webshop.
Sources used in the article include:
[url=http://www.globinmed.com]http://www.globinmed.com[/url]
[url=http://www.satveda.com]http://www.satveda.com[/url]
[url=http://www.arjunabark.com]http://www.arjunabark.com[/url]
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