Botanical name: Terminalia arjuna (Roxb. ex DC.) Wight & Arn.
Family: Combretaceae
Common name: Arjuna tree
Vernacular name: Arjun
Diagnostic characters: Tall, deciduous tree. Bark grey, exfoliates in large thin flakes. Leaves smooth and green above, pale and often hairy beneath. Flowers small, white or greenish-yellow, in terminal or axillary spikes or panicles, unisexual.
Phenology: March – September
Etymology: Genus name Terminalia is derived from Latin word “terminus”, meaning “end” or “boundary,” which refers to the leaves being clustered at the ends of branches, a common trait in this genus. Species name arjuna is named after Arjuna, the heroic warrior from the Indian epic Mahabharata, who symbolizes strength, courage, and resilience—reflecting the tree’s medicinal power, especially as a cardiac tonic.
Uses:
- Strengthens cardiac muscle and improves heart function.
- Acts as a natural beta-blocker and antioxidant.
- Reduces LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides, increases HDL (good cholesterol), and promotes lipid metabolism.
- Known to reduce systolic and diastolic pressure.
- Calms the nervous system (reduces stress-related hypertension).
- Bark extract helps in regulating blood sugar levels; antioxidants help prevent diabetic complications.
- Bark paste applied on wounds, fractures, acne, and eczema; promotes tissue regeneration.
Reference:
Rajaram V, Namasivayam A, Shanmugam R, Mahendra J, Sudhakar U, Munusamy T, Subbiah U. Terminalia arjuna: An overview of its magical properties. Bioinformation. 2024 Dec 31;20(12):2080-2085. doi: 10.6026/9732063002002080. PMID: 40230946; PMCID: PMC11993416.
