Arjuna Arjuna, Dhananjaya, Kakubha (Ayurveda) Maruthu (Siddha) Arjun (Unani)

The Flora Sylvatica for southern India. Beddome, R.H. (1869-1873)

Terminalia arjuna
(Photo by Vinayaraj) (Wikimedia)

Botanical name:

Terminalia arjuna

Parts used:

Stem-Bark (less commonly leaf and fruit)

Temperature & Taste:

Cold, dry.

Uses:

1. Clears Wind and Heat, Moves the Blood, Regulates the Heart:
-Heart disease (specific); Angina Pectoris; Ischemia
-Hypertension; also high cholesterol
-it has also been used for sexual debility

2. Clears Heat and Toxin:
-Chronic Fever
-Internal Abscess
-chronic Skin diseases

3. Stops Bleeding, Restrains Leakage:
-Diarrhea, Leukorrhea
-Bleeding, including Hemoptysis
-Diabetes

4. Externally:
-powder is used topically to stop bleeding
-used classically in Ayurveda in oils for premature greying of the hair
-for freckles, mix the powder with honey and apply (Ayurveda, Ashtanga Hridaya)

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Dose:

1. Traditionally in India it is boiled in Milk or made into a medicinal Ghee. These preparations are said to enhance its tonic effects and act as a Rasayana to promote Longevity.
Decoction: 5–10 grams; or a decoction of 1 in 4: 30–90 mls.
Powder: 2–6 grams per day;
Tincture (1:3 in 45% alcohol): 3–5mls per day, three times daily.

Main Combinations:

1. Cough, Arjuna with Adhatoda vasica
2. Heart disease, Heart weakness:
i. Arjuna with Inula racemosa, Costus
ii. Arjuna, with Sida cordifolia, Emblic Myrobalan
3. Heart disorders from Vata/Wind, Arjuna with Sida cordifolia
4. High cholesterol, Arteriosclerosis, Blood obstruction:
i. Arjuna with Bdellium (this is marketed as Abana)
ii. Arjuna with Bdellium, Myrrh, Frankincense
5. Liver dysfunction, Arjuna with Turmeric, Picrorrhiza
6. Skin diseases with inflammation, Arjuna with Madder, White Sandalwood, Neem, Hemidismus indica
7. Spermaturia, Arjuna with White Sandalwood
8. Diarrhea with Blood, take Arjuna powder with Honey
9. Sexual debility, Arjuna with Tribulus seed, Cinnamon, Nutmeg
10. Diabetes, Arjuna with Indian leaf (Cinnamomum tamala); this combination was found very effective.

Major Formulas:

Pushyanuga Churna (Ayurveda)

Cautions:

1. Not used during Pregnancy
2. Avoid in Constipation

Main Preparations used: