| @@@ Herbal Treatment for Heart Disease More Effective than Prescriptions - By Danica Collins on 07/13/2011
An herbal treatment for heat disease, Ayurvedic, is as effective as the leading prescription heart medications. The best part of Ayurvedic, that you have none of their negative side effects.
Terminalia arjuna is an enormous tree that grows wild throughout much of South Asia — and its bark contains natural alkaloids and other chemicals effective in treating heart ailments and metabolic diseases.
This is good news for the many people who are worried about their current heart health — and for the many others who are trying to guard against heart problems later in life. Heart disease is still the Number 1 killer of people in the U.S., despite the fact that recent decades have brought many advances in heart medicine, including open-heart surgery — the procedure that most people hope they would never experience.
For more than 2,500 years, medical experts in India — where Ayurvedic medicine is widely practiced — have used the bark of the Terminalia arjuna tree to treat an array of heart conditions.
Arjuna’s role in the herbal treatment for heart diseases has been examined by medical researchers at the Institute of Medical Sciences in Varanasi, India, where it was proven that Arjuna powder extracts are indeed beneficial for people suffering from coronary heart disease.
###Arjuna also offers treatment benefits for . . .
•Myocardial infraction
•Angina
•Coronary artery disease
•Heart failure
•Hypercholesterolemia
•Hypertension
One of arjuna’s most remarkable attributes is that its treatment benefits can be reaped without the host of serious side effects associated with most Western pharmaceuticals prescribed for heart problems.
### For instance, isosorbide nitrate (or ISMN), a nitroglycerin-based pharmaceutical used to treat angina pain, can actually make angina pain worse, as well as cause the following health problems:
•Headache
•Dizziness
•Weakness and Fatigue
•Warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin
•Fast, slow, pounding or erratic heart rate
•Blurred vision or dry mouth
•Nausea or vomiting
•Faintness
•Shortness of breath and blue-tinged skin (due to oxygen deprivation)
Other heart drugs are associated with similarly distressing consequences. Arjuna, on the other hand, has proven in head-to-head comparisons with ISMN that it confers more benefit than the drug without any of ISMN’s side effects.
In one study conducted at the Kasturba Medical College in Mangalore, India, researchers found that patients treated with arjuna experienced a 30% reduction in pain, compared to 27% for those treated with ISMN — and with none of ISMN’s adverse effects.
Another study conducted in 1995 and published in the International Journal of Cardiology examined arjuna’s usefulness as a preventative treatment for currently stable angina. Results showed that arjuna was able to cut the rate of angina episodes by half!
### Arjuna has other significant medicinal properties, as well, and has the proven capacity to:
•Reduce body weight
•Decrease LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels
•Raise HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels
•Improve congestive heart failure
•Protect against ischemic heart disease
•Prevent atherosclerosis
•Combat certain cancers
•Act as a general antibacterial
### How Does Arjuna Work
Several substances in arjuna herb have very strong antioxidant benefits. Its stem bark possesses glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, and minerals.
Flavonoids exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid lowering effects, while glycosides are cardiotonic, making arjuna unique among medicinal plants. In rodent studies these antioxidants also protect heart tissue from damage.
Even if you don’t have serious heart concerns, you should consider adding Arjuna to your medicine cabinet. Arjuna acts as a tune-up for your heart; it supports cardiac function and normalizes blood pressure. It can also reduce the physical effects of stress and nervousness.
Recommended dosages of arjuna depend on the form. The easiest method of ingestion is to take one caplet daily before a meal.
###Arjuna is also available as:
•A powder to be taken in doses of 3-6 grams 2-3 times daily
•An extracted juice which is taken in doses of 10-20 ml 2-3 times daily with sugar, honey, or milk
•A decoction to be taken in doses of 20-40 ml 2 times daily in a concentration of 1:2
@@@Arjuna - Terminalia arjuna
COMMON NAMES - Arjuna
The arjuna, scientific name Terminalia arjuna, is a lofty evergreen tree that is indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. This tree often grows to a height of about 100 feet or 30 meters and bears yellow blooms and tapering leaves. The bark of the arjuna tree possesses therapeutic properties and has been used by people for centuries to treat different conditions.
Arjuna is an exceptional herb that aids in facilitating a hale and hearty heart and diminishes the results of the anxiety and apprehension. In addition, using the bark of the tree endorses effectual functioning of the cardiac muscles. As a result, arjuna has been a preferred herb in Ayurveda, the ancient Indian medical science, for treating as well as maintaining the health of the cardiovascular system. Primarily, the ingestion of medications prepared with bark of arjuna ensures usual functioning of the heart, provides energy to the heart muscles, promotes the functioning of platelets as well as helps in sustaining a steady blood pressure level. The chemical analysis of the arjuna bark has revealed that the main elements enclosed by this herb include ellagic acid, arjunic acid and Beta-sitosterol.
As mentioned above the Terminalia arjuna tree possesses wide-ranging therapeutic properties and has the potential to treat numerous medical conditions, especially those pertaining to the heart and circulation system. By tradition, people of the Indian subcontinent have used this herb for treating several ailments. This tree is considered to be an excellent hypolipidemic, anticoagulant, hypocholsteremic, antihypertensive, antiviral, antithrombotic, antifungal and antibacterial mean. While the bark of the tree is of utmost important from the therapeutic point of view, researchers have examined other parts of arjuna to ascertain if the herb possesses phytoconstituents as well as pharmacological actions. Thus far, scientists have been able to isolate several valuable phytoconstituents from the tree. The therapeutic properties of the tree regarding cardiovascular health are basically attributed to triterpenoids enclosed by the arjuna tree. Similarly, flavonoids and tannins naturally present in the herb possess anticancer properties. In this article we shall primarily discuss about the traditional use, pharmacological actions of the extracts obtained from the herb and the phytoconstituents of Terminalia arjuna during the last nine decades.
Precisely speaking, the Terminalia arjuna is a herb belonging to the Terminalia genus and is extensively used by ayurvedic medicinal practitioners. Ayurvedic physicians utilize the remedial properties of the herb in the intrinsic or functional heart problems, such as angina (chest pains owing to the absence of blood to the heart), deposits in arteries and hypertension or high blood pressure. The ayurvedic texts also assert that medications prepared with the herb are also effective in treating any kind of pain owing to a fall, ecchymosis (bleeding from broken vessels into the adjoining tissues), spermatorrhoea (ejaculation with no pleasure of orgasm) as well as sexually transmitted diseases (STD) like gonorrhoea (a genital disease caused by a gonococcus bacterium). As discussed above, the bark of this herb also possesses numerous therapeutic properties and is considered to be especially effective in treating cardiovascular ailments. A study conducted on this subject has confirmed this remedial property of the Terminalia arjuna bark. The study also found that ingestion of the dried and powdered bark of the tree has proved to be effective in improving the conditions of patients enduring coronary heart ailments.
Several studies have hinted that using the herb is highly effective in providing relief from the excruciating pain due to angina pectoris as well as for the treatment of heart failure and coronary artery ailment. In addition, medications prepared with different parts of the herb are also beneficial for treating conditions like hypercholesterolemia (excessively high levels of cholesterol in the bloodstream). The herb’s utility in protecting the cardiovascular system as well as promoting its functioning is attributed to the antioxidant features of a number of its constituents - oligomeric proanthocyanidins and flavonoids. At the same time, it is believed that the helpful inotropic (having an influence on the force of muscular contraction) consequences are likely to be a result of the saponin glycosides enclosed by the herb. Apart from being an effective medication for different cardiovascular conditions, Terminalia arjuna may also be used as a protective agent against gastric ulcers, for instance ulcers caused by the use of NSAIDs or pain killers.
The leaves of arjuna tree are also useful as the Antheraea paphia moths feed on them. This species of moths produces tassar silk (Tussah), a raw form of silk that has great commercial value as a fabric.
***USES
In ayurvedic medicine, Terminalia arjuna is one of the most widely prescribed herbs for treating cardiovascular problems. It has been found that the bark of arjuna tree encloses valuable substances, including tannins, calcium salts, magnesium salts and glucosides. The bark of the tree is considered to be an energizer, a tonic and an astringent and is extensively used to heal hemorrhages, dysentery, diarrhea, edema, and skin disorders as well as bone fractures. Apart from the above mentioned remedial properties of the arjuna bark, studies have found it to possess antimutagenic and antibacterial properties.
The medical condition specific benefits of using herbal medications are discussed in brief below.
Angina, Congestive Heart Failure and Heart Attack: The basic advantage of using Terminalia arjuna is enhancement of the functioning of the cardiac muscles as well as augmented pumping actions of the heart. It is generally thought that saponin glycosides contained in the herb are responsible for the positive impacts caused by administering medications prepared with arjuna in treatment of several conditions, especially those related to the cardiovascular system. Arjuna encloses oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) and flavonoids, which facilitate reinforcement of the blood vessels and simultaneously possess antioxidant actions. In fact, the herb is extensively used in the treatment of heart failure and edema (extreme build-up of serous fluid in tissue spaces or a body cavity), especially in the ankles and legs as the heart is unable to circulate adequate amount of blood to these body parts.
During a study conducted over three months on angina patients taking arjuna, Indian medical practitioners pursued several health indicators, such as high density lipoprotein (HDL or ‘good’ cholesterol) cholesterol, blood pressure as well as the rate of angina attacks endured by the subjects. In general, these physicians found that the patients experienced around 50 per cent decrease in the rate of angina attacks having lesser systolic blood pressure and somewhat enhanced levels of HDL cholesterol. It was also found that during the initial three months of treatment with arjuna, the herb provided comparatively lesser relief from the condition when angina was unstable in the patients. Nevertheless, a double-blind research conducted with arjuna on angina patients for the duration of more that 24 months resulted in decreased symptoms, enhanced movements by the patients, who asserted that they experienced an improvement in their quality of life. It has been confirmed that the habitual use of Terminalia arjuna for a minimum period of one year will fortify as well as maintain the heart in its best health.
Gonorrhea: Studies undertaken by scientists at the Arizona State University have ascertained that a bio-available compound present in Terminalia arjuna - luteolin, is effective in combating Neisseria gonorrhoeae, the bacterium responsible for developing this sexually transmitted disease (STD). The influence of luteolin may also aid in explicating the effectiveness of the herb in the treatment of heart ailments, as an associated microorganism known as Chlamydia is likely to be associated in the development of atherosclerosis (a widespread ailment of the arteries wherein raised areas of deterioration and cholesterol deposits plaques form on the internal surfaces of the arteries hindering blood circulation).
In fact, Terminalia arjuna functions as a biological maintenance agent for the heart. The herb endorses the usual functioning of the heart, provides energy to the heart muscles, sustains the functioning of platelet as well as maintains the normal blood pressure level. That the herb possesses properties that can regulate cholesterol levels in the blood stream is evident from the fact that arjuna has the aptitude to encourage the lipid absorption by the blood. Overall, the herb is effective in sustaining the health of the heart and thereby, diminishes the consequences of anxiety and uneasiness on the heart.
Herbal medicine practitioners in ancient India utilized the dried and pulverized bark of arjuna tree to provide relief from the excruciating chest pain caused by ‘hristshool’ or angina as well as other cardiovascular problems. The bark of Terminalia arjuna encloses vast amounts of flavonoids, glycosides, tannins and other valuable minerals. It has been established that flavonoids are responsible for anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and lipid lessening effects. Similarly, glycosides present in the arjuna bark serve as a tonic or stimulant for the heart. Hence, these therapeutic properties possessed by Terminalia arjuna makes it an exceptional medicinal plant among all the herbs used by physicians currently. This review of the remedial properties of Terminalia arjuna endeavours to deliberate on different characteristics of the herb’s pharmacognostical, ethnomedical, pharmacological, phytochemical and clinical significance or consequences vis-à-vis the different cardiovascular conditions.
Several investigational researches undertaken with Terminalia arjuna have shown that the bark of the tree wielded noteworthy inotropic and hypotensive influence enhancing the flow of blood in the coronary artery and simultaneously protecting the heart muscles or the myocardium against ischemic discharges or secretions caused by poor blood supply to the heart muscles. In addition, the arjuna bark has also been found to possess moderate diuretic, prostaglandin E2 augmenting, antithrombotic (protecting against thrombosis) and hypolipidaemic (disorders caused owing to poor levels of lipids in blood stream) actions. In fact, researchers have several clinical verifications of the fact that the bark of arjuna alone possesses valuable remedial properties that are effective for treating coronary artery disease.
In addition, this herb may also be used effectively in combination with statins to cure coronary heart problems. Many scientists are of the view that taking into account the herb’s anti-ischemic actions and its capability to improve dyslipidemia (a medical condition distinguished by abnormal concentrations of lipids or lipoproteins in the blood), decrease left ventricular mass and augment left ventricular ejection fraction, there is a need to undertake further in-depth investigative studies regarding the actions of arjuna when taken in combination with statins. Substantiating their view, these scientists assert that this is essential to ascertain the precise role of arjuna in the general administration as well as prevention of coronary artery disease.
***SIDE EFFECTS AND CAUTIONS
Arjuna is available commercially in the form of capsules. In fact, ayurvedic medications containing Terminalia arjuna are prepared by combining approximately more than 30 herbs that are also known to be effective for the health of the cardiovascular system. It is important to note that arjuna has a very potent effect on the muscles of the heart and, hence, it should be taken to treat angina or congestive heart failure only after checking with a qualified medical practitioner.
@@@Arjuna bark supplement information, benefit, research studies, dosage, and uses for health and medical conditions, including angina
---Terminalia Arjuna herb is used by doctors who practice Ayurvedic healing.
#Availability
You can find arjuna herb and extract in health food stores and online. Here are some examples of the various dosages available to you. Since there are few human studies, it is difficult to know the proper dosage to take or which product is most effective.
Terminalia arjuna Bark - 500 mg
Terminalia arjuna Bark Extract - 50 mg (standardized 10:1 extract)
Arjuna - Pure extract - 250 mg
Purchase Arjuna pills, 550 mg dosage, 120 Tablets
Supplement Facts
Calcium 30 mg
Terminalia arjuna Bark 500 mg
Terminalia arjuna Bark extract 50 mg (standardized to 10:1 extract)
Suggested use: Take one tablet once a day or as suggested by your health care provider.
Chemicals found in the herb
Terminalia arjuna bark has triterpene glycosides, termiarjunoside I and termiarjunoside II, arjunetoside, together with oleanolic, arjunolic and arjunic acids, and a cardenolide. Arjunolic acid, a triterpene and a potent extract from the bark of Terminalia arjuna, protects the heart from necrosis in rats. Arjunolic acid treatment prevents the decrease in the levels of powerful antioxidants such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, alpha-tocopherol, and ascorbic acid. Other chemical evaluations have found18,19-secooleanane-type triterpene glycosyl esters, namely arjunasides A-E, along with ursane type triterpene glucosyl esters.
#Benefits of Terminalia arjuna herb or extract
@Angina
Ancient Indian physicians used the powdered tree bark of Terminalia arjuna for treating angina and other cardiovascular conditions.
@Antioxidant
Several substances in arjuna herb have very strong antioxidant benefits. Its stem bark possesses glycosides, large quantities of flavonoids, tannins and minerals. Flavonoids have been detected to exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and lipid lowering effects while glycosides are cardiotonic, thus making Terminalia arjuna unique among currently used medicinal plants. In rodent studies these antioxidants protect heart tissue from damage.
@Breast cancer
A substance in Arjuna, casuarinin, inhibits breast cancer cell growth in laboratory studies.
@Cholesterol
Compounds in Arjuna may help maintain healthy cholesterol levels.
--Is there anything in the Arjuna supplement that could cause triglyceride levels to go up I have been taking Arjuna for about 10 weeks for blood pressure, and it has worked well (I could not take the BP medications). However I did wonder about the triglycerides going up, as well as the cholesterol, and if you had any information about it.
Limited studies do not show a strong relation.
@DNA protection
Arjuna has compounds that protect against DNA damage from toxins.
---Effect of Terminalia arjuna extract on adriamycin-induced DNA damage.
Phytother Res. 2008.
The effect of a bark extract of Terminalia arjuna was studied on the alteration of adriamycin induced micronuclei formation in cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes. Exposure of lymphocytes to adriamycin resulted in a dose-dependent increase in the micronuclei formation indicating DNA damage. Pretreatment of lymphocytes with bark extract of Terminalia arjuna before adriamycin treatment resulted in a significant decline in micronuclei formation. Our results demonstrate that bark extract of Terminalia arjuna protects DNA against adriamicin-induced damage.
@Heart disease
Experimental studies have revealed the bark of arjuna to exert inotropic and hypotensive effect, increasing coronary artery flow and protecting cardiac tissue against ischemic damage. Arjuna herb has also been detected to have mild diuretic, blood thinning, prostaglandin E(2) enhancing and blood lipid lowering activity. This herb has been studied in patients with angina. Arjuna dilates blood vessels, even in cigarette smokers.
***Catecholamine-induced myocardial fibrosis and oxidative stress is attenuated by Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.).
J Pharm Pharmacol. 2009; Kumar S, Enjamoori R, Jaiswal A, Ray R, Seth S, Maulik SK. Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Myocardial fibrosis and oxidative stress accompany a number of cardiac disorders such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, hypertensive heart disease and cardiac failure. Stem bark of Terminalia arjuna has been advocated for cardiac ailments. The present study evaluated the effects of T. arjuna bark extract on myocardial fibrosis and oxidative stress induced by chronic beta-adrenoceptor stimulation.T. arjuna protects against myocardial changes induced by chronic beta-adrenoceptor stimulation.
@Ulcer
Effect of methanolic extract of Terminalia arjuna against Helicobacter pylori 26695 lipopolysaccharide-induced gastric ulcer in rats.
J Pharm Pharmacol. 2008; Devi RS, Kist M, Vani G, Devi CS. Department of Biochemistry, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Helicobacter pylori lipopolysaccharide (HP-LPS) is a potent virulence factor in the causation of gastric ulcer and gastritis. H. pylori-induced gastric pathology is prevalent throughout the world. The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-ulcer effect of a methanolic extract of Terminalia arjuna against HP-LPS-induced gastric damage in rats. Our results suggest that the severe cellular damage and pathological changes caused by HP-LPS are mitigated by arjuna herb; these effects are comparable with those of sucralfate. The anti-ulcer effect of terminalia arjuan may reflect its ability to combat factors that damage the gastric mucosa, and to protect the mucosal defensive factors.
#Side effects, caution, risks and danger
The full side effects or adverse events of arjuna herb are not well known and it is preferable to limit dosage use to the least amount that works. There is a possibility that very high dosages could cause liver harm or reduced thyroid gland activity. It is often difficult to interpret studies done in rodents to what would happen in humans when a much smaller dosage is used as a supplement.
#Additional studies
*Cardio-protective role of Terminalia arjuna bark extract is possibly mediated through alterations in thyroid hormones.
Pharmazie. 2006; Parmar HS, Panda S, Jatwa R, Kar A. School of Life Sciences, DA University, Indore, India.
---In the present study we investigated the possible involvement of thyroid hormones in the amelioration of cardiac and hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO) by a bark extract of the plant in albino rats. While L-thyroxine (L-T4) treatment increased the level of thyroid hormones, heart/body weight ratio as well as cardiac and hepatic lipid peroxidation, simultaneous administration of 21.42 and 42.84 mg/kg of the plant extract decreased the level of thyroid hormones and also the cardiac LPO, suggesting the possible mediation of the drug action through an inhibition in thyroid function. These effects were comparable to a standard antithyroid drug, propyl thiouracil (PTU). When the drug was administered to euthyroid animals, serum concentrations of thyroid hormones were decreased, whereas the hepatic LPO increased indicating a drug induced toxicity in euthyroid subjects. Although a suboptimal dose of the drug was found to be non-toxic to the liver, it appeared to be of no use, as it could neither affect the thyroid functions nor the cardiac lipid peroxidation. Since in euthyroid animals, thyroid hormones were decreased and hepatic LPO was increased, it is suggested that high amounts of this plant extract should not be consumed, as hepatotoxicity as well as hypothyroidism may be caused.
*Terminalia arjuna protects mouse hearts against sodium fluoride-induced oxidative stress.
J Med Food. 2008: Sinha M, Manna P, Sil PC. Department of Chemistry, Bose Institute, Kolkata, India.
---In the current study we have investigated the antioxidative properties of an ethanol extract of the bark of Terminalia arjuna against sodium fluoride (NaF)-induced oxidative stress in murine heart. The activities of various antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione S-transferase), levels of cellular metabolites, reduced glutathione, and oxidized glutathione, levels of lipid peroxidation end products, and protein carbonyl contents were determined in the cardiac tissues of all the experimental animals. NaF intoxication significantly altered all the indices related to the prooxidant-antioxidant status of the heart; treatment with the active constituents prior to NaF administration, however, prevented these alterations. In addition, the ferric reducing/antioxidant power assay revealed that Terminalia arjuna enhanced the cardiac intracellular antioxidant activity. Histological studies also demonstrated a cardioprotective action of Terminalia arjuna estract. The combined results suggest that Terminalia arjuna extract protects murine hearts from NaF-induced oxidative stress, probably via its antioxidant properties.
#Botanical information
Terminalia arjuna is a tall, deciduous tree that can reach heights of 60 feet. The crown is large and spreading with drooping branches. The tree is widespread throughout India, and grows alongside rivers, streams, ravines, and dry waterways. The thick, soft bark is smooth and gray on the outside, with a reddish hue inside, and it flakes off in large, flat pieces. Thea leaves are oblong, and the small fruits, approximately an inch and a half long, are also oblong. The tiny, pale yellow flowers grow in spiky clusters.
#Inquiries
Are there medical contraindications to use acai berry extract pills along with arjuna pills
Acai berry is a safe supplement and should not interact to any great degree with this herb.
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