A Lesser-known Supplement for Better Heart Health
A guide to Arjuna’s effects on cardiovascular function
What is Arjuna bark?
Terminalia arjuna is commonly known as Arjuna tree, and I first heard about it during my recent trip to India. A family doctor described that its bark has been claimed to have benefits to the cardiovascular system and has long been used as a herbal supplement in India, where it is sourced.
First-hand experience:
To test it out, I recently talked to my uncle’s physician about arjuna, who told me to give it a go to see if it would help my uncle’s high blood pressure. This is obviously not a controlled study, but I did want to personally see what effects it could have. I also believe the first-hand experience is useful to others.
After one month, he did see a good improvement in high blood pressure (152/97 →136/91), which was pretty interesting to see.
It’s important to note that even though my uncle claimed that he did not change his lifestyle, it is possible that other factors could have contributed! Maybe he subconsciously ate healthier, exercised more, or was less stressed! We will never be able to completely eliminate other factors, but the results are convincing that arjuna is something to consider for improved heart health.
So, here’s some of the research I found to back that claim up.
The evidence of better heart health
Arjuna bark has been frequently used to promote cardiovascular health in individuals, and it seems that these claims do have at least some basis in science.
As one example, a study tested the effects of arjuna bark on patients that had angina (or chest tightness). Angina is a symptom for the leading cause of death, heart disease. People with heart disease frequently suffer from angina because of reduced blood flow to the heart. This reduced blood flow in turn causes chest pain.
By testing arjuna on these patients, researchers can determine the cardiovascular effects of arjuna and whether it truly helps alleviate the symptoms of high blood pressure and chest tightness.
The results showed that Arjuna bark did influence stable angina patients. The drug significantly lowered blood pressure and body mass index. Interestingly, there was also marginal improvement in left ventricular function in patients! One other study also showed similar results and surprisingly concluded that arjuna and Isosorbide mononitrate therapy (the drug typically used to treat angina) did not have significant differences in their outcomes. Although I certainly think that more rigorous testing is needed, imagine the amount of money this supplement could save patients!
More recently, arjuna bark has also been shown to improve cardiovascular endurance and improve the duration of exercise. Although smaller scale studies, the studies taken together seem to show that arjuna bark’s cardiovascular effects are quite promising.
Other studies that show that arjuna does have beneficial anti-oxidative stress, anti-cancer, and protective roles in terms of ulcer formation. But I think it IS important to note that most of these studies have been done in model organisms (mice, rats) and not in humans. So, it is early to say if these claims hold up when tested on humans.
How?
One of the reasons may be that Arjuna contains antioxidants called flavonoids. Flavonoids are a phytonutrient (or plant chemicals) that have been routinely found to protect the heart (especially by lowering blood pressure). Because Arjuna has anti-oxidative stress properties (it protects your cells from damage), the antioxidants in it likely have a very beneficial effect on the heart.
Side-effects
Whenever I discuss the effect of any supplement on the body, I think that it is very important to discuss any possible side effects (when 500 mg was given every 8 hours). All the studies I mentioned did not show any side effects when patients took them. But some studies have said that mild symptoms, like headache, body ache, insomnia, and gastritis may occur.
I do recommend consulting your physician before adding this to your diet even if side effects have not been found in studies. They will best be able to determine how it can be best added to your lifestyle.
Best Arjuna supplements
Although there are many options to get arjuna, I would recommend sticking to methods that the researchers used in the study, which was a water extract. The way to prepare this is by adding 30 drops of arjuna tincture into water, 1–2 times daily. You can also stick to adding 500 mg to water and take it 1–2 times daily.
Please do follow to support a new writer ❤
