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Herb library · Updated 16 October 2026 · By Aashish Passi · 25 sources

Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna): what the research says

Arjuna is the dried stem bark of Terminalia arjuna, a large deciduous tree of the Combretaceae family found across much of India, and is official in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, which lists it as hṛdya (cardiac tonic) and for hṛdroga (heart conditions) among other uses[1]. The bark is rich in tannins and also contains triterpenoids such as arjunic acid, arjungenin and arjunetin, together with flavonoids and glycosides[1][20][21]. It has been studied in small human trials for stable angina, chronic heart failure and blood lipids, with mixed results: a 2014 systematic review in chronic stable angina found the evidence insufficient to draw conclusions either way, and the largest double-blind heart-failure trial found no change in ejection fraction[5][6]. Laboratory studies report that arjuna extracts inhibit major drug-metabolising CYP enzymes, which matters because people who use it are often already taking cardiac medicines[16].

At a glance

Names and identity

Common nameArjuna
SanskritArjuna
HindiArjuna (अर्जुन)
PunjabiArjon (ਅਰਜੁਨ)
Botanical nameTerminalia arjuna (Roxb. ex DC.) Wight & Arn.
FamilyCombretaceae
Part usedStem bark
Sanskrit synonymsKakubha, Pārtha, Śvetavāha

Ayurveda

Arjuna in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia

Rasa (taste)Kaṣāya (astringent)
Guna (qualities)Rūkṣa (dry)
Virya (potency)Śīta (cold)
Vipaka (post-digestive effect)Kaṭu (pungent)
Action on doshasKaphahara and Pittahara (pacifies Kapha and Pitta)
Karma (actions)Hṛdya (cardiac tonic), Kaphahara, Pittahara, Bhagnasandhānakara (aids union of fractures), Vraṇanāśana (wound healing), Vyaṅgahara (for facial pigmentation)
Classical formulationsPārthādyariṣṭa, Nāgārjunābhra Rasa, Arjuna Ghṛta, Arjuna Kṣīrapāka (milk decoction; described in Chakradatta, per Dube et al. 2017)
Dose in the API3-6 g of the drug in powder form (API Part I, Vol. II, monograph 8). API therapeutic uses: Medoroga, Vraṇa, Hṛdroga, Kṣatakṣaya, Prameha, Tṛṣā, Vyaṅga.

Profile as recorded in the official texts[1, 2].

Chemistry

Key constituents

  • The API monograph lists tannins as the constituents of the stem bark[1].
  • A 2023 review counted about 38 compounds identified from the bark, grouped as triterpenoids, tannins, flavonoids and glycosides[21].
  • Named constituents reported for a bark extract used in clinical research include the triterpenoid acids arjunic acid and terminic acid, the glycosides arjunetin and arjunosides I-IV, flavones, tannins and oligomeric proanthocyanidins[8]. A review identifies triterpenoids, β-sitosterol, flavonoids and glycosides as the main constituents, with triterpenoids and flavonoids considered responsible for antioxidant activity[20].
  • Arjunic acid, arjungenin and arjunetin are used as identity markers by HPTLC, and ellagic acid and gallic acid by HPLC; one aqueous extract was reported as about 44% polyphenols and under 1% triterpenes (as summarised by the Australian Herbal Pharmacopoeia from the primary literature)[25].
  • In human liver microsomes, whole alcoholic and aqueous bark extracts inhibited CYP enzymes while the isolated triterpenoids arjunic acid, arjunetin and arjungenin did not, indicating the CYP effect comes from other extract constituents[16].

Research

What human studies show

The bottom line

Human evidence for arjuna consists of small, mostly short, single-centre Indian trials; pooled analyses suggest possible effects on left ventricular mass, NYHA class and HDL in heart failure, but the largest double-blind trial found no change in ejection fraction and a systematic review in stable angina found the evidence insufficient either way[3][5][6]. Lipid and blood-pressure findings come from single small trials and are best read as preliminary[9][12][13]. Drug-interaction data are laboratory and animal only, and no human interaction study was found[16][17].

meta-analysisEvidence: limited

Heart failure (pooled)

Systematic review and meta-analysis of comparative studies to Dec 2025; 9 studies, 537 adults with heart failure; PROSPERO-registered.

Arjuna was associated with a reduction in left ventricular mass (MD -44.32) and a rise in HDL-cholesterol (MD 3.53); the improvement in ejection fraction was modest and not statistically significant (MD 1.85, p = 0.1); blood pressure, triglycerides and LDL did not change significantly.[3]

Limitations: Small, mostly Indian trials of varying preparations; authors call for larger high-quality trials; published online ahead of print in a general medical journal.

meta-analysisEvidence: limited

Heart failure (network comparison)

Network meta-analysis of 28 RCTs (3,650 patients) of 15 plant extracts in heart failure, searched to June 2024.

Water extract of arjuna stem bark ranked first (SUCRA 80.4%) for the number of patients with improved NYHA class; it did not lead on ejection fraction, quality of life or 6-minute walk.[4]

Limitations: SUCRA rankings rest on few arjuna trials and indirect comparisons; authors urge cautious interpretation.

RCTEvidence: moderate

Chronic heart failure (largest trial)

Double-blind, placebo-controlled add-on trial, AIIMS New Delhi; n = 100, NYHA class II, LVEF ≤40%, on standard therapy; standardised water extract 750 mg twice daily vs placebo for 12 weeks.

Null on the primary outcome: no change in LVEF (24.3% vs 25.5%, p = 0.4) and no difference in most secondary outcomes; well tolerated. Post-hoc subgroup analyses suggested gains in 6-minute walk distance, antioxidant markers and some quality-of-life domains in some patients.[6]

Limitations: 12 weeks only; post-hoc findings are hypothesis-generating; one co-author affiliated with an Ayurvedic manufacturer.

RCTEvidence: preliminary

Severe refractory heart failure

Double-blind crossover; n = 12, NYHA class IV (mostly dilated cardiomyopathy); bark extract 500 mg every 8 hours vs placebo, 2 weeks each, added to maximal conventional therapy; followed by open-label phase (mean 24 months).

Compared with placebo, arjuna was associated with improved symptoms and NYHA class, smaller LV volumes and higher LVEF (35.3% vs 30.2%).[7]

Limitations: Very small sample, 2-week periods, single centre; long-term phase uncontrolled.

systematic reviewEvidence: limited

Chronic stable angina (pooled)

Systematic review and meta-analysis (PGIMER Chandigarh) of randomised, pseudo-randomised and before-after studies comparing arjuna or commercial arjuna products with standard treatment.

Included studies were of poor methodological design; no significant difference between arjuna and control for the outcomes that could be pooled. Evidence judged insufficient to draw conclusions for or against arjuna in stable angina.[5]

Limitations: Few, small, heterogeneous studies, some using multi-herb products.

RCTEvidence: limited

Chronic stable angina

Double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover; n = 58 men with provocable ischaemia; bark extract 500 mg every 8 hours vs isosorbide mononitrate 40 mg/day vs placebo, 1 week each.

Compared with placebo, arjuna was associated with fewer angina episodes, less rescue nitrate use and better treadmill parameters (exercise duration 6.14 vs 4.76 min); results were similar to isosorbide mononitrate; no significant untoward effects reported.[8]

Limitations: One-week treatment periods; men only; single centre.

RCTEvidence: limited

Blood lipids in coronary heart disease

n = 105 CHD patients not on lipid-lowering drugs, Latin-square allocation to placebo, vitamin E 400 IU/day, or bark powder 500 mg/day for 30 days.

Arjuna group showed within-group falls in total cholesterol (-9.7%) and LDL (-15.8%), with no significant lipid change in placebo or vitamin E groups; lipid peroxides fell with both arjuna and vitamin E.[9]

Limitations: 30 days; within-group comparisons; Latin-square rather than conventional randomisation; single centre.

RCTEvidence: limited

Lipids and inflammation in stable CAD

Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled; n = 116 stable CAD patients on usual medication; arjuna 500 mg twice daily; markers at 3 and 6 months.

Arjuna was associated with lower triglycerides, VLDL-C and immuno-inflammatory markers versus placebo.[10]

Limitations: Surrogate markers only; microarray work on a few samples.

RCTEvidence: preliminary

Cardiovascular risk factors vs conventional drugs

Unani setting; n = 48 (40 completed); Arjun Chāl powder 5 g twice daily vs amlodipine 5 mg + atorvastatin 10 mg for 8 weeks.

Both groups improved lipids, blood pressure and BMI; between-group difference was not statistically significant.[12]

Limitations: Small, open comparison; not designed as non-inferiority; short.

RCTEvidence: preliminary

Stage 1 essential hypertension (add-on)

Triple-blind, placebo-controlled; n = 44; arjuna 1.5 g twice daily vs placebo for 28 days, all on telmisartan 40 mg.

Greater fall in systolic and diastolic BP and in cholesterol, triglycerides and VLDL in the arjuna group than placebo; no drug-related adverse events reported.[13]

Limitations: Small, 4 weeks, single centre.

RCTEvidence: preliminary

Endothelial function in smokers

Double-blind crossover; n = 18 healthy male smokers; 500 mg every 8 hours vs placebo, 2 weeks each.

Flow-mediated dilation improved after arjuna but not placebo (9.31% vs 5.17%).[11]

Limitations: Very small, short, surrogate outcome.

RCTEvidence: limited

Cardiac performance in healthy exercising adults

Double-blind, placebo-controlled; n = 32 men; proprietary aqueous extract (E-OJ-01) 400 mg/day for 56 days.

LVEF and right ventricular performance index improved versus placebo; CK-MB and troponin-T unchanged.[14]

Limitations: Small, single proprietary extract, one author from the product developer; not generalisable to other preparations.

observationalEvidence: limited

Long-term safety in chronic CAD

n = 35 on bark extract powder 500 mg three times daily plus conventional drugs vs 35 on conventional drugs alone; followed 9 months to 4 years 9 months.

Apart from gastritis and constipation, no noteworthy adverse effects; no significant change in blood counts, liver or kidney tests.[15]

Limitations: Small, non-randomised.

Laboratory and animal studies

These studies explain possible mechanisms. They do not show the same effect in people.

in vitroEvidence: preliminary

Antiplatelet activity

Platelets from 20 CAD patients and 20 controls incubated with ethanolic bark extract.

Extract inhibited platelet aggregation, calcium release and P-selectin expression.[18]

Limitations: Ex vivo/in vitro only; clinical bleeding relevance unknown.

animalEvidence: preliminary

Milk decoction (Kṣīrapāka) vs hydroalcoholic extract

Arjuna Kṣīrapāka prepared in cow milk compared with a 50% hydroalcoholic extract; antioxidant assays and carrageenan paw oedema in mice (200-800 mg/kg).

Hydroalcoholic extract had 3.8 times the total polyphenols and higher in vitro antioxidant activity; both reduced paw oedema, with Kṣīrapāka comparable in the late phase.[2]

Limitations: Mouse model only; no human data on Kṣīrapāka.

Safety

Safety, interactions and regulation

  • Adverse effects in trials and cohorts were mild and infrequent: gastritis and constipation over up to 4 years 9 months in a chronic CAD cohort, with no significant change in blood counts, liver or kidney tests; the AIIMS heart-failure trial reported the extract as well tolerated[15][6]. Pooled across two angina studies (78 participants), reported events included constipation, headache, body ache and abdominal discomfort, as summarised by the Australian Herbal Pharmacopoeia[25].
  • CYP interactions: alcoholic and aqueous bark extracts potently inhibited CYP3A4, CYP2D6 and CYP2C9 in human liver microsomes (IC50 below 50 µg/mL, reversible non-competitive); the authors consider clinically significant drug interactions likely. Many cardiac drugs are cleared by these enzymes. No human pharmacokinetic interaction study was found[16].
  • Metoprolol (β-blocker): in rats, co-administered aqueous bark extract significantly reduced metoprolol AUC and Cmax and reduced its pharmacodynamic effect; the authors advise caution with drugs cleared mainly by CYP2D enzymes until clinical studies are done[17].
  • Anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs (e.g. warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel): bark extract inhibited platelet activation in vitro[18]. An old uncontrolled patient series and rabbit data reported prolonged prothrombin time with bark powder (reported second-hand by the Australian Herbal Pharmacopoeia, which advises INR monitoring for warfarin users)[25]. Additive effects on bleeding are therefore plausible but not studied in controlled trials.
  • Antihypertensives, nitrates and lipid-lowering drugs: human trials gave arjuna alongside telmisartan, nitrates, aspirin, calcium-channel blockers and other standard therapy without reported adverse interactions, but some trials recorded additional blood-pressure lowering, so additive effects are possible[13][8][7]. A 2014 review notes a paucity of data on arjuna's interactions with other drugs[19].
  • Pregnancy, lactation and children: no human safety data were found. Australia's permissible-ingredients listing reportedly requires 'Not recommended for use by pregnant and lactating women' and 'Not suitable for children' label warnings for arjuna bark (reported by the Australian Herbal Pharmacopoeia; TGA source not opened)[25].
  • Thyroid: one animal study reported lower thyroid hormone levels with high-dose bark extract (secondary report via the Australian Herbal Pharmacopoeia; primary paper not opened)[25].
  • Animal toxicology: a 2023 review reports that sub-acute oral toxicity testing of a methanol bark extract and its compound 7-methyl gallate produced no adverse effects up to 1000 mg/kg[21].
  • Heavy metals: a JAMA study found lead, mercury or arsenic in about one-fifth of Ayurvedic medicines purchased online, more often in rasa shastra (metal-mineral) products[24]. This is a category-wide finding, not specific to arjuna; it is relevant to metal-containing arjuna formulations such as Nāgārjunābhra Rasa listed in the API[1].
  • No arjuna-specific regulatory bans or safety alerts were found in the sources opened; no NIH LiverTox entry for arjuna was located.

Quality

Identity, standards and adulteration

  • API identity, purity and strength limits for Arjuna stem bark: foreign matter not more than 2%; total ash not more than 25%; acid-insoluble ash not more than 1%; alcohol-soluble extractive not less than 20%; water-soluble extractive not less than 20%[1].
  • API macroscopy: flat, curved to half-quilled pieces 0.2-1.5 cm thick; outer surface smooth and grey, inner surface fibrous and pinkish; taste bitter and astringent. Microscopy: 9-10 layered cork, wide secondary phloem with fibre groups, calcium oxalate rosettes (80-180 µm) and large idioblasts with prismatic crystals; starch grains present (noted as absent in T. alata). Powder is reddish-brown[1].
  • The API sets no chemical assay. Published HPTLC methods use arjunic acid, arjungenin and arjunetin as identity markers, and HPLC methods use ellagic and gallic acid; no pharmacopoeial assay limit exists (per the Australian Herbal Pharmacopoeia)[25].
  • Adulterants and substitutes: stem bark of Terminalia tomentosa, T. bellirica and T. chebula are reported adulterants of arjuna bark; species-specific ITS-based PCR assays have been developed to detect them[22]. DNA barcoding work identifies T. arjuna and T. tomentosa as traded species prone to adulteration and found matK+ITS gave the best species resolution in Terminalia[23].
  • Extraction method changes composition: a 50% hydroalcoholic extract contained 3.8 times more total polyphenols than a traditional milk decoction (Kṣīrapāka) of the same bark[2]. Clinical trials used different preparations (crude powder, water extract, proprietary extracts), so results from one preparation should not be assumed for another[14][6].

Manufacturing

How Arjuna is made into medicines

In India arjuna stem bark is made into churna (bark powder), capsules and tablets of powder or extract, standardised water or hydroalcoholic extracts, kwath (decoction), and the ariṣṭa Pārthādyariṣṭa; the API also lists Arjuna Ghṛta and Nāgārjunābhra Rasa (a mineral-containing rasa preparation)[1][8][6][20]. Kṣīrapāka (milk decoction), described in Chakradatta, uses bark powder, cow milk and water in the ratio 1:4:16, and is boiled down; one laboratory preparation used 200 g powder, 800 mL milk and 3,200 mL water at 65 °C for 8 hours, reducing to one-fifth of the starting volume[2]. No shodhana (purification) step is specified for the bark in the API monograph[1].

Prabhat makes churnas, tablets, capsules, kwaths, syrups and oils under AYUSH GMP for brands across India. See churna, tablet and capsule manufacturing, or white label products.

FAQ

Common questions about Arjuna

What is arjuna bark used for?

Arjuna bark is a traditional Ayurvedic herb that the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India describes as hṛdya (a heart tonic) and lists for hṛdroga (heart conditions), medoroga, wounds, prameha and other uses[1]. In modern research it has mainly been studied for angina, heart failure, blood lipids and blood pressure, with mixed and mostly small trials[3][5].

Is arjuna good for the heart?

Small trials report improvements in angina symptoms and exercise tests, and pooled heart-failure data show reduced left ventricular mass and improved NYHA class[8][3][4]. However, the largest double-blind heart-failure trial (100 patients, 12 weeks) found no change in ejection fraction, and a systematic review found the angina evidence insufficient to draw conclusions[6][5]. Arjuna has only been studied as an add-on to standard heart medicines, not as a replacement.

Can I take arjuna with blood pressure or heart medicines?

Interaction data are limited to laboratory and animal studies: arjuna extracts inhibited CYP3A4, CYP2D6 and CYP2C9 enzymes in human liver microsomes, and in rats an aqueous extract lowered blood levels and effect of metoprolol[16][17]. Extracts also reduced platelet activation in vitro, which is relevant for people on blood thinners[18]. Trials gave arjuna alongside standard cardiac drugs without reported problems, but people on heart medicines should discuss it with their doctor first[13][15].

How is arjuna ksheer paka made?

Arjuna Kṣīrapāka is a classical milk decoction described in Chakradatta: bark powder, cow milk and water in the ratio 1:4:16 are boiled together; in one laboratory preparation the mix was reduced to about one-fifth of its starting volume[2]. A 2017 laboratory study found this milk preparation had fewer polyphenols than a hydroalcoholic extract but similar late-phase anti-inflammatory activity in mice; it has not been tested in human trials[2].

Does arjuna lower cholesterol?

A 30-day trial in 105 coronary heart disease patients found total cholesterol fell by about 10% and LDL by about 16% within the arjuna group, with no change on placebo[9]. Other small trials reported lower triglycerides and VLDL, and a heart-failure meta-analysis found HDL rose but LDL and triglycerides did not change significantly[10][3]. The evidence is preliminary and does not replace prescribed lipid-lowering treatment.

What are the side effects of arjuna, and is it safe in pregnancy?

Reported side effects in trials were mild and uncommon, mainly gastritis, constipation, headache and abdominal discomfort, with no liver or kidney test changes in a cohort followed for up to almost five years[15][25]. There are no human safety data for pregnancy, breastfeeding or children, and Australian listing rules reportedly require a warning against use in these groups[25].

References

Sources

  1. Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Department of AYUSH. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I, Volume II (1999), monograph 8: Arjuna (Stem Bark), pp. 17-18. Source.
  2. Dube N, Nimgulkar C, Bharatraj DK. Validation of therapeutic anti-inflammatory potential of Arjuna Ksheera Paka - A traditional Ayurvedic formulation of Terminalia arjuna. J Tradit Complement Med. 2017;7(4):414-420. PMID: 29034188. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2016.11.006.
  3. Kumar A, Ul Haque Z, Rai A. Evaluation of the Therapeutic Potential and Safety of Terminalia arjuna in Heart Failure Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Ann Afr Med. 2026 (online ahead of print, 1 Jul 2026). PMID: 42389976. doi: 10.4103/aam.aam_82_26.
  4. Tang T, Li G, Huang X, Liang H. Efficacy of plant extracts in heart failure patients: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 2026;26(1):502. PMID: 42277690. doi: 10.1186/s12872-026-05793-x.
  5. Kaur N, Shafiq N, Negi H, Pandey A, Reddy S, Kaur H, et al. Terminalia arjuna in Chronic Stable Angina: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cardiol Res Pract. 2014;2014:281483. PMID: 24600529. doi: 10.1155/2014/281483.
  6. Maulik SK, Wilson V, Seth S, Bhargava B, Dua P, Ramakrishnan S, et al. Clinical efficacy of water extract of stem bark of Terminalia arjuna (Roxb. ex DC.) Wight & Arn. in patients of chronic heart failure: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Phytomedicine. 2016;23(11):1211-9. PMID: 26988798. doi: 10.1016/j.phymed.2016.02.007.
  7. Bharani A, Ganguly A, Bhargava KD. Salutary effect of Terminalia Arjuna in patients with severe refractory heart failure. Int J Cardiol. 1995;49(3):191-9. PMID: 7649665. doi: 10.1016/0167-5273(95)02320-v.
  8. Bharani A, Ganguli A, Mathur LK, Jamra Y, Raman PG. Efficacy of Terminalia arjuna in chronic stable angina: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study comparing Terminalia arjuna with isosorbide mononitrate. Indian Heart J. 2002;54(2):170-5. PMID: 12086380.
  9. Gupta R, Singhal S, Goyle A, Sharma VN. Antioxidant and hypocholesterolaemic effects of Terminalia arjuna tree-bark powder: a randomised placebo-controlled trial. J Assoc Physicians India. 2001;49:231-5. PMID: 11225136.
  10. Kapoor D, Trikha D, Vijayvergiya R, Parashar KK, Kaul D, Dhawan V. Short-Term Adjuvant Therapy with Terminalia arjuna Attenuates Ongoing Inflammation and Immune Imbalance in Patients with Stable Coronary Artery Disease: In Vitro and In Vivo Evidence. J Cardiovasc Transl Res. 2015;8(3):173-86. PMID: 25827448. doi: 10.1007/s12265-015-9620-x.
  11. Bharani A, Ahirwar LK, Jain N. Terminalia arjuna reverses impaired endothelial function in chronic smokers. Indian Heart J. 2004;56(2):123-8. PMID: 15377133.
  12. Saleem S, Ansari AH, Ansari A. Effect of Arjun Chāl on cardiovascular risk factors - a randomized controlled clinical trial. J Complement Integr Med. 2021;19(1):145-154. PMID: 33977687. doi: 10.1515/jcim-2020-0439.
  13. Nazir A, Bhat MDA, Mir UY. Efficacy of Terminalia arjuna in essential hypertension: A randomized controlled study. Explore (NY). 2026;22(6):103535. PMID: 42753288. doi: 10.1016/j.explore.2026.103535.
  14. Girandola RN, Srivastava S. Effect of E-OJ-01 on Cardiac Conditioning in Young Exercising Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Am J Ther. 2017;24(3):e298-e307. PMID: 27930383. doi: 10.1097/MJT.0000000000000542.
  15. Dwivedi S, Chopra D, Bhandari B. Role of Terminalia arjuna Wight and Arn. in the treatment of chronic coronary artery disease from pharmacovigilance point of view. Ayu. 2019;40(2):104-108. PMID: 32398910. doi: 10.4103/ayu.AYU_114_18.
  16. Varghese A, Savai J, Pandita N, Gaud R. In vitro modulatory effects of Terminalia arjuna, arjunic acid, arjunetin and arjungenin on CYP3A4, CYP2D6 and CYP2C9 enzyme activity in human liver microsomes. Toxicol Rep. 2015;2:806-816. PMID: 28962416. doi: 10.1016/j.toxrep.2015.02.008.
  17. Varghese A, Savai J, Mistry S, Khandare P, Barve K, Pandita N, et al. In Vitro CYP2D Inhibitory Effect and Influence on Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamic Parameters of Metoprolol Succinate by Terminalia arjuna in Rats. Drug Metab Lett. 2016;10(2):124-35. PMID: 26891872. doi: 10.2174/1872312810666160219121415.
  18. Malik N, Dhawan V, Bahl A, Kaul D. Inhibitory effects of Terminalia arjuna on platelet activation in vitro in healthy subjects and patients with coronary artery disease. Platelets. 2009;20(3):183-90. PMID: 19437336. doi: 10.1080/09537100902809004.
  19. Kapoor D, Vijayvergiya R, Dhawan V. Terminalia arjuna in coronary artery disease: ethnopharmacology, pre-clinical, clinical & safety evaluation. J Ethnopharmacol. 2014;155(2):1029-45. PMID: 25014508. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2014.06.056.
  20. Dwivedi S, Chopra D. Revisiting Terminalia arjuna - An Ancient Cardiovascular Drug. J Tradit Complement Med. 2014;4(4):224-31. PMID: 25379463. doi: 10.4103/2225-4110.139103.
  21. Kumar V, Sharma N, Saini R, Mall S, Zengin G, Sourirajan A, et al. Therapeutic potential and industrial applications of Terminalia arjuna bark. J Ethnopharmacol. 2023;310:116352. PMID: 36933876. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116352.
  22. Sharma S, Shrivastava N. DNA-based Simultaneous Identification of Three Terminalia Species Targeting Adulteration. Pharmacogn Mag. 2016;12(Suppl 3):S379-83. PMID: 27563228. doi: 10.4103/0973-1296.185776.
  23. Mishra P, Kumar A, Nagireddy A, Shukla AK, Sundaresan V. Evaluation of single and multilocus DNA barcodes towards species delineation in complex tree genus Terminalia. PLoS One. 2017;12(8):e0182836. PMID: 28829803. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0182836.
  24. Saper RB, Phillips RS, Sehgal A, Khouri N, Davis RB, Paquin J, et al. Lead, mercury, and arsenic in US- and Indian-manufactured Ayurvedic medicines sold via the Internet. JAMA. 2008;300(8):915-23. PMID: 18728265. doi: 10.1001/jama.300.8.915.
  25. Iggulden L, Ridley T, MacAllister F, Suzuki H, Whitcombe E, Kirby J. Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna). Australian Herbal Pharmacopoeia, AIP-PH-TERARJ, version 1.0 draft. Australian Institute of Pharmacognosy; 2026. (Free preview and Section 15 Safety read; rest paywalled. In-house reviewed, not journal peer-reviewed.) doi: 10.5281/zenodo.23152864.

How this page was written. Every statement links to a source we opened. PubMed IDs were checked against the NCBI database. Human studies are kept apart from laboratory and animal work, and null results are included. Read our method.

Author: Aashish Passi, Managing Director, Prabhat Ayurvedic Pharmacy. Last updated: 16 October 2026. Spotted an error? Email info@prabhatayurvedicpharmacy.in.

This page is educational and summarises published research. It is not medical advice and is not a claim for any product. Talk to a qualified doctor before using any herbal medicine, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medicines or have a medical condition.

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