Arjunarishta: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & More!

Introduction

Arjunarishta, also known as Parthadyarishta,¹ is a hydroalcoholic formulation of the herb Terminalia arjuna belonging to the Combretaceae family. It is sold 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). Arjunarishta has the highest percentage of Arjuna.2 It is formulated via a fermentation process that generates alcohol. This alcohol acts as a preservative as well as a solvent.²  

Chemical Constituents of Arjunarishta

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

• Triterpenoids: Arjunin, arjunic acid, arjunolic acid, arjungenin, terminic acid, ajunglucosides IV and V, arjunasides A-E, 2”‘alpha, 3”‘beta”‘dihydroxyurs”‘12,18”‘dien”‘28”‘oic acid 28”‘O”‘beta”‘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, aluminum, magnesium, silica, zinc, copper

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 conditions.                              

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

Therapeutic Uses of Arjunarishta

• Arjunarishta has blood pressure-lowering activity. ⁴ 
• Arjunarishta contains many phytochemicals that function as antioxidants. Phytochemicals like flavonoids, glycosides, phenolic acids, and triterpenoids show antioxidant effects and free radical scavenging ability.^3,5 This free radical scavenging activity may effectively prevent liver and kidney damage. 
• Other therapeutic uses of Arjunarishta are in  
• Lung disorders⁶ 
• Heart diseases⁶ 
• absence of motile sperm⁶   
• Loss of strength and immunity⁶  

Benefits of Arjunarishta

Various phytochemicals present in Arjunarishta may provide many health benefits.³ Phytochemicals like flavonoids, glycosides, phenolic acids, and triterpenoids possess antioxidant effects and free radical scavenging ability that can reduce inflammation.^3,5 

1. Benefits of Arjunarishta in Diabetes

• Arjunarishta is beneficial in reducing blood sugar levels and improving insulin sensitivity.
• Arjunarishta may be beneficial for hyperglycemia. Thereby, arjunarishta may be useful in persons with diabetes.⁷  

2. Benefits of Arjunarishta in Heart Diseases

• Arujunarishta nourishes and strengthens the muscles of the heart.
• It promotes heart functioning by regulating blood cholesterol and blood pressure.
• The chief constituent of Arjunarishta, Arjuna is beneficial in relieving angina pain and may be useful in the treatment of coronary heart disease and heart failure.⁷ 

3. Benefits of Arjunarishta in Cancer

• Arjunarishta might be helpful in cancer.
• The major ingredient of Arjunarishta, arjuna bark was found to be effective in controlling tumor formation in animal studies.⁸
• Vitis vinifera has shown anticancer abilities too and was efficacious in killing cancer cells in in vitro studies.⁹
• However, more research is needed to understand their efficacy in treating cancer in humans.  

Also Read: Safed Musli – Uses, Benefits, Nutritional Value & Precautions

Traditional uses of Arjunarishta are obtained mainly from its bark. The significant old physician Chakradatta advised giving 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 urine.

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

How to Use

 As per the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Arjunarishta is to be taken after meals with water.¹

An Ayurvedic doctor will help you with the dose depending upon your diagnosis.  

Side Effects

• Consumption of arjuna is associated with mild side effects like body aches, headaches, gastritis, and nausea.³  
• Consuming arjuna plant extract, which is the critical component of Arjunarishta, can lead to hepatotoxicity and hypothyroidism.³  

Also Read: Black Salt – Uses, Benefits & Precautions

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.²  

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.  

Also Read: Chandraprabha Vati – Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & Precautions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Also Read: Ber Fruit – Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & Precautions

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. Protective effects of ethanolic extract residue isolated from the bark of Terminalia Arjuna against DLA tumor cells – PubMed [Internet]. [cited 2022 Feb 22]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21039058/ 

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/ 

Also Read: Rosemary – Uses, Benefits & Side Effects

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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