Arjunarishta: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & More!

Introduction

Arjunarishta, also known as Parthadyarishta, is a hydroalcoholic formulation of the herb Terminalia arjuna belonging to the Combretaceae family¹. It is consumed as a herbal decoction. Arjunarishta is made up of fresh stem bark of Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna), Madhuka (Madhuka indica), Draksha (Vitis vinifera), Dhataki (Woodfordia fruticosa), and Jaggery (Saccharum officinarum). Among these, Arjuna constitutes the highest proportion. It is formulated via a fermentation process that generates alcohol. This alcohol acts as a preservative as well as a solvent².  

Chemical Constituents of Arjunarishta

Arjuna bark contains many phytochemicals, triterpenoids, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, beta-sitosterol, minerals, and trace elements⁶.  

• Triterpenoids: Arjunin, arjunic acid, arjunolic acid, arjungenin, terminic acid, ajunglucosides IV and V, arjunasides A–E, 2″α,3″β-dihydroxyurs-12,18-dien-28-oic acid 28-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl ester   
• Flavonoids: Arjunolone, arjunone, baicalein, luteolin, gallic acid, ethyl gallate, quercetin, kempferol, pelargonidin, oligomeric proanthocyanidins 
• Glycosides: Arjunetin, arjunoside I, arjunoside II, arjunaphthanoloside, terminoside A 
• Tannins: Pyrocatechols, punicallin, punicalagin, terchebulin, terflavin C, castalagin, casuariin, casuarinin 
• Minerals and trace elements: Calcium, aluminium, magnesium, silica, zinc, copper

Uses of Arjunarishta

• Arjunarishta may help regulate blood pressure⁵. 
• Arjunarishta contains many phytochemicals that may function as antioxidants. Phytochemicals like flavonoids, glycosides, phenolic acids, and triterpenoids show antioxidant effects and free radical scavenging ability⁶. This free radical scavenging activity may effectively prevent liver and kidney damage. 
• Arjunarishta is also traditionally used in:
  • Lung disorders
  • Heart diseases⁶
  • absence of motile sperm
  • Loss of strength and immunity

Benefits of Arjunarishta

Various phytochemicals present in Arjunarishta may provide many health benefits. Phytochemicals like flavonoids, glycosides, phenolic acids, and triterpenoids possess antioxidant effects and free radical scavenging ability that can reduce inflammation. 

1. For Diabetes

• Arjunarishta may support blood sugar control and improve insulin sensitivity⁵.
• Arjunarishta may be helpful in managing hyperglycemia, potentially benefiting individuals with diabetes.

2. For Heart Diseases

• Arujunarishta nourishes and strengthens the muscles of the heart¹.
• It helps regulate blood cholesterol and blood pressure¹.
• The chief constituent of Arjunarishta, Arjuna may reduce angina pain and be beneficial in managing coronary artery disease and heart failure¹.

3. For Cancer

• The major ingredient of Arjunarishta, arjuna bark, was found to be effective in controlling tumour formation in animal studies³.
• Vitis vinifera has shown anticancer abilities too and was efficacious in killing cancer cells in in vitro studies⁴.

However, more research is needed to understand their efficacy in treating cancer in humans.  

Traditional uses of Arjunarishta are obtained mainly from its bark. The renowned ancient physician Chakradatta advised administering it as a bark decoction with milk or as a ghrita. It has been observed that consuming a decoction of bark might help in reducing headaches, earache and heart ailments. Dried bark powder mixed with rice water might help in reducing blood in the urine¹.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

How to Use

 As per the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Arjunarishta is to be taken after meals with water¹.  Dosage should be prescribed by an Ayurvedic physician based on individual health needs.

Side Effects

• Consumption of arjuna is associated with mild side effects like body aches, headaches, gastritis, and nausea¹. 
• Consuming excess amounts of arjuna plant extract, which is the critical component of Arjunarishta, can lead to hepatotoxicity and hypothyroidism¹.

Also Read: Drumstick (Sahjan): Uses, Benefits, Side Effects and More!

Precautions to Take

• There are no safety studies about its usage in pregnant and breastfeeding women. Therefore, it should be used only with the doctor’s advice and supervision in pregnant and nursing women.   
• There are no safety studies about its usage in children.  
• Arjunarishta is known to contain alcohol, which is self-generated during the fermentation process.

Mentioned in ancient Indian medicinal texts like Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Ashtanga Hridayam, Arjunarishta might hold ultimate medical value in managing cardiovascular diseases. Vagabhatta was the one who originally suggested using stem bark powder for heart conditions¹. 

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S M.D (Ayu)

Interaction with Other Drugs

There is a lack of data regarding the interaction of Arjunarishta with other drugs. Therefore, patients are advised to talk to a doctor about its usage if they are already using any other medication or supplement.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

1. Dwivedi S, Chopra D. Revisiting Terminalia arjuna – An Ancient Cardiovascular Drug. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine [Internet]. 2014 Oct 1 [cited 2022 Feb 17];4(4):224–31. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25379463/ 

2. Effect of Terminalia arjuna stem bark on antioxidant status in liver and kidney of alloxan diabetic rats – PubMed [Internet]. [cited 2022 Feb 17]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17051732/  

3. Sivalokanathan S, Vijayababu MR, Balasubramanian MP. Effects of Terminalia arjuna bark extract on apoptosis of human hepatoma cell line HepG2. World J Gastroenterol. 2006 Feb 21;12(7):1018-24. doi:10.3748/wjg.v12.i7.1018. PMID: 16534840; PMCID: PMC4087891. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4087891/

4. Grace Nirmala J, Evangeline Celsia S, Swaminathan A, Narendhirakannan RT, Chatterjee S. Cytotoxicity and apoptotic cell death induced by Vitis vinifera peel and seed extracts in A431 skin cancer cells. Cytotechnology [Internet]. 2018 Apr 1 [cited 2022 Feb 22];70(2):537–54. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28983752/ 

5. Shengule SA, Mishra S, Joshi K, Apte K, Patil D, Kale P, et al. Anti-hyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidaemic effect of Arjunarishta in high-fat fed animals. J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2018 Jan-Mar;9(1):45-52. doi:10.1016/j.jaim.2017.07.004. PMID: 29249636; PMCID: PMC5884182. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5884182/

6. Amalraj A, Gopi S. Medicinal properties of Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight & Arn.: A review. J Tradit Complement Med. 2016 Mar 20;7(1):65-78. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2016.02.003. PMID: 28053890; PMCID: PMC5198828. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5198828/

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

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