Hypertension and Arjun

The herb arjun (Terminalia arjuna), also known as terminalia, has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine (the traditional medicine of India) for the treatment of heart problems. Arjun is though to help relax (dilate) blood vessels. In addition, an herbal combination that includes arjun and about 40 other herbs has shown great promise for helping reduce blood pressure.

Arjun probably helps reduce blood pressure by relaxing (dilating) blood vessels.

Abana, the Ayurvedic formula that contains arjun, is believed to help the heart work more effectively (reduced preload and afterload, improved diastolic function, and improved pump function).¹

Read more details about Arjun.

A combination Ayurvedic therapy called Abana, containing arjun and approximately 40 other herbs, has also shown that the herbal combination is effective for reducing blood pressure in patients with mild hypertension.¹ The blood-pressure lowering effects of the Abana combo were also demonstrated in another study.² According to the results of this study, Abana is approximately as effective for controlling blood pressure as the drug methyldopa.

In the second study discussed here, patients received three daily doses of 800 mg of Abana.² It is not immediately clear how much arjun was contained in that amount of the Abana combination.

• Integrative MD
• Ayrvedic practitioner
• Herbalist
• Naturopathic doctor

Safety Issues

Use of terminalia (arjun) has not been associated with any severe adverse effects. However, comprehensive safety studies have not been performed. Safety in young children, pregnant or nursing women, or people with severe liver or kidney disease has not been established.

1. Antani JA, Kulkarni RD, Antani NJ. Effect of Abana on ventricular function in ischemic heart disease. Jpn Heart J. 31(6):829-35.
2. Dadkar VN, Tahiliani RR, Jaguste VS, Damle VB, Dhar HL. Double blind comparative trial of Abana and methyldopa for monotherapy of hypertension in Indian patients. Jpn Heart J. 1990 Mar;31(2):193-9.