Arjuna And Cardiovascular Health
Arjuna is a ubiquitous medicinal herb in India largely owing to its cultural importance among the locals. It is extensively used by Ayurvedic physicians in alleviating the pain associated with medical conditions of the heart and related cardiovascular diseases. It is best known for its cardioprotective effects, but it has also been reported to have an effect on blood flow and serum cholesterol in addition to its age-old reputation as a digestive.
Arjuna – Relieves Ischemic Chest Pain
While arjuna has been widely used in India, studies are ongoing and preliminary results are scant. It is primarily used in treatment of angina, especially in alleviating chest pain due to a restriction of blood circulation in the heart known as ischemia. The medical condition angina pectoris results from spasm of the blood vessel of the heart, obstructing the oxygen supply to the heart muscles, and is characterized by a severe chest pain. It is postulated that arjuna counteracts the pain chemicals produced by a group of endogenous compounds called prostaglandins, the reason why it is also used to relieve pain brought about by inflammation.
Promotes Normal Blood Flow
Arjuna contains plant-derived saponins that are believed to display inotropic properties when successfully absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and circulated in the bloodstream. These organic compounds act on the principle of creating a homeostatic effect on circulation and influence the contractions produced by the smooth muscle tissues in the inner lining of blood vessels. This also applies to the muscle tissues of the heart, stabilizing the strength of contraction of heart muscle and affecting myocardial contractility. It is for this reason why it is commonly used a therapeutic remedy for hypertension. Moreover, it has been known to be antithrombotic, which means it has an effect on the formation of blood clot inside the blood vessels and their consequent obstruction of blood flow.
Arjuna – Maintains Healthy Cholesterol Levels
The presence of high levels of serum cholesterol is an indicator of many known diseases, especially those concerning the heart and the circulatory system. Intake of arjuna has been tied to positive results in connection with the popular dichotomy of bad and good cholesterol. Its flavonoids have been observed to affect the metabolic pathway that governs the production of very-low-density lipoproteins, the precursor of low-density lipoproteins in the liver, which is labeled as bad cholesterol, while increasing the release of high-density lipoproteins, dubbed good cholesterol.
Protects the Digestive Tract
The bark and fruits of the plant species Terminalia arjuna are known to have antibacterial properties, the reason why it has been effective in warding off ulcerations of the gastrointestinal tract. Stomach ulcers in particular are more often than not caused by the uninhibited growth of the bacteria Helicobacter pylori, which has been associated with chronic inflammation of the lining of the stomach among other conditions and related symptoms.
The curative effects of arjuna are attributable to its high content of flavonoids and saponins. However, how it works exactly inside the human body remains under scrutiny.
Arjuna is an excellent herb for those with cardiovascular health issues.