Herbs are taking over the health market and for good reason. No matter your health concern, you can bet Mother Nature has a solution. One such ingredient that is under the spotlight is Arjuna. This popular herb has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for decades and is now taking the world by storm. It is known for its cardioprotective and hepatoprotective abilities. This tree is enormous and grows in abundance in the sub-Himalayan region of India and Sri Lanka and is valued for its red inner bark.
The name Arjuna is famously remembered by Indians as the character in the Mahabharata. Just like its namesake, this herb also protects and strengthens you and your family. Consuming it daily, with water, with a mixture of herbs, or as a supplement can help keep you safe and strong. Even though it has a cooling and bitter taste, it is still loved by many due to its protective properties. Let’s take a closer look at what this herb derived from the bark of a tree brings to the table.
Health Benefits of Arjuna
Arjuna or Terminalia Arjuna has a lot of health benefits and is one of the star Ayurvedic ingredients. Let’s discuss a few benefits, shall we?
1. Improves Heart Health
Arjuna takes care of your heart in different ways. First, it regulates the proper flow of blood in the arteries and veins. Secondly, it helps lower blood pressure, thus helping patients maintain their blood pressure.
Since oxidative stress plays a major role in heart failure, the antioxidant properties of Arjuna can help prevent it. The herb is also utilized in Ayurveda to strengthen and fortify the heart to avoid physical damage caused by stress, grief, and fear. Last, but not least, it reduces cholesterol levels, thus preventing any blockage in the arteries and veins.
2. Powerful Antioxidant
When our body produces energy, the chemical reaction results in the production of free radicals. These free radicals can also develop if you expose yourself to external stressors like the sun, tobacco smoke, and environmental pollution. Free radicals increase the oxidative stress in our bodies and are capable of causing serious health issues like cancer and heart disease. Arjuna is a free-radical scavenger that reduces the number of free radicals considerably. Its antioxidant action is comparable to that of vitamin E.
3. Improves Liver Health
Fatty liver disease is a condition caused by the accumulation of fat in the liver. Your liver does contain some fat at all times, but once the quantity of fat is 5–10% or more of the liver’s weight, it becomes a threat.
Arjuna is a potent ingredient with hepatoprotective properties that improve liver health efficiently. A study reveals that Arjunolic Acid (AA) is capable of reducing Steatosis ( fatty liver disease). When taken with another powerful ingredient called Milk Thistle, it becomes a great medicine for liver detox. But mixing these ingredients in the right proportions is vital. Here’s where liver supplements come to the rescue. If you’re looking for a way to give your liver a little support when it comes to the detoxification process, look for a supplement that has ingredients like Milk Thistle, Arjuna, & Berberry all of which work together to not only help with the detoxification process but also regulate liver function, and improve fat metabolism.
4. Reduces Cholesterol
Arjuna has significant hypocholesterolemic properties. It reduces the amount of low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides and helps increase the levels of high-density lipoprotein (good cholesterol).
5. Balances Sugar Levels
Results of a study revealed that arjuna bark extracts improved insulin action and production, reduced the breakdown of carbohydrates, and halted the cell-damaging process of protein glycation.
How to Consume Arjuna?
Arjuna’s red bark has plenty of medicinal properties. The red bark is available in the market as a powder, making it easy to consume. You can prepare an Arjuna concoction daily to reap the maximum benefits. Just add about a tablespoon of Arjuna powder to 2 cups of water and boil it until the water quantity reduces to about 1 cup. Filter this concoction and consume it while it’s hot. The most important part here is sourcing good-quality, original Arjuna powder.
If you want to save yourself the trouble of sourcing original arjuna powder and preparing the concoction every day, you can try using supplements with Arjuna to improve your liver health. Supplements are easy to consume and don’t taste bitter like the Arjuna concoction; hence, they are the most preferred way of consuming Arjuna for many.
Wrapping Up
Arjuna is a popular ingredient used in ayurvedic medicine, and it is a great supplement to take care of your heart, liver, and overall health. In this article, we have shed light on the numerous health benefits of Arjuna. If you have been observing any symptoms of a poor heart and liver, you can try consuming Arjuna supplements or concoctions. Being a natural herb, it is less likely to cause any side effects, but we still recommend you consult your doctor before consuming it.
References
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11225136/
https://ayurvedasofia.bg/en/arjuna-what-doesit-help-and-in-what-form/
https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/info/plants/ayurvedic-herbs/arjuna-benefits/#characteristics
https://austinpublishinggroup.com/endocrinology-diabetes/fulltext/ajed-v1-id1001.php
