What is Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna)?

Arjuna is the bark of the Terminalia arjuna tree, traditionally used in Ayurveda as a heart tonic. It is commonly taken as a powder or standardized extract.

What are the main benefits of Arjuna for cardiovascular health?

Research suggests Arjuna may support heart function and may help with symptoms such as angina in some people. It may also support healthy blood pressure and lipid profiles, though evidence is not definitive.

What is a typical Arjuna dosage?

A common supplemental range is 500–1500 mg per day of Arjuna extract, depending on the product and concentration. Follow the label and consult a clinician for individualized dosing.

Is Arjuna safe, and who should be cautious?

Arjuna is generally well tolerated at typical doses, but some people may experience digestive upset. Use caution and seek medical advice if you have a heart condition, low blood pressure, a bleeding disorder, or take anticoagulant or antiplatelet medicines.

Can Arjuna improve exercise tolerance in heart failure?

Small clinical studies suggest Arjuna may improve exercise tolerance and some measures of cardiac function in people with heart failure. It should not replace prescribed heart failure treatment and should be used only with medical supervision.

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Vitamin B

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

Vitamin B7 (Biotin)

Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)

Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin)

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)

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Vitaminoids

Trimethylglycine (Betaine)

NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide)

Pyrroloquinoline Quinone (PQQ)

D-Chiro-Inositol

Coenzym Q10 (Ubiquinone)

Betaine HCL

Nicotinamide Riboside

Vitamin B8 (Myo-Inositol)

Choline

Citicoline (CDP-Choline)

Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinol)

Calcium

Calcium Alpha-Ketoglutarate

Magnesium

Magnesium Bisglycinate

Magnesium L-Threonate

Trace Minerals

Copper (Bisglycinate)

Chromium Picolinate

Manganese (Bisglycinate)

Zinc

Pentadecanoic Acid (C15:0)

Phosphatidylserine

R-Alpha Lipoic Acid

Black Cumin Oil

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Ceratiq wheat oil extract

Phospholipids

Algae Oil

Fish Oil

Conjugated Linoleic Acid

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid

Alpha-Linolenic Acid

Gamma-Linolenic Acid

Omega-3

Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA)

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

AminoMar

Acetyl-L-Carnitine

PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid)

Essential Amino Acids

Conditionally Essential Amino Acids

L-Theanine

Non-Essential Amino Acids

Beta-Alanine

L-Cysteine Hydrochloride

Amino Acid Derivative

Taurine

Creatine (Hydrochloride)

L-Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate

Creatine (Monohydrate)

Akkermansia muciniphila

Lactobacillus Reuteri

Probiotics

Bifidobacterium longum BB536

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Stinging Nettle Extract

Pomegranate Polyphenols

Red Beet Extract

Pine Extract (Pycnogenol)

Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPC)

Ashwagandha Root Extract

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)

Citrus Sinensis Extract

Horsetail Stem Extract

Flax Seed Extract

Sulforaphane Glucosinolate

Garlic Extract

Black Pepper

Apricot Kernel Extract

Lovage

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White Kidney Bean Extract

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St. John’s Wort Extract

Japanese Knotweed Extract

Hydroxytyrosol/tyrosol

Olive extract

Sesame seed lignan extract

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Flavon Glycosides

Gentian Root Extract

Griffonia simplicifolia Extract

Ajuga Turkestanica Extract

Amaranthus Leaf Extract

Banaba Extract

Boswellia Extract

Capsaicin

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Celery Extract

Ceylon Cinnamon Extract

Chamomile Extract

Charantin

Chinese Goldthread Root Extract

Citrus Aurantium Extract

Cocoa Extract

Cyanotis Arachnoidea Extract

Fadogia Agrestis Extract

Garcinia Cambogia Extract

Goldenrod Extract

Green Tea Extract

Guarana Extract

Horse Chestnut Extract

Grapefruit Seed Extract

Grape Vine Leaf Extract

Green Tea Polyphenols

Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG)

Adaptogens

Cordyceps sinensis extract

Ginsenoside

Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus)

Ginseng Extract

Cat's Claw (Uncaria tomentosa)

Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna)

Tribulus Terrestris Extract

Rhodiola rosea

Panax Ginseng Extract

Mushrooms

Reishi Extract

Astragalus Polysaccharides

Hyaluronic Acid

Glucosamine Sulfate

Chondroitin Sulfate

Glucosamine Sulphate 2KCL

Arjuna (Terminalia
arjuna)

Moderate study situation·7/10

A higher score indicates better study conditions, but not necessarily effectiveness.

Traditional Ayurvedic heart tonic—Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) shows promise for cardiovascular support, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory benefits, with a good safety profile at typical doses but requires caution for certain heart or bleeding conditions.

Anti-inflammatory Cardiovascular Support Antioxidant Exercise Performance Cholesterol Management

dose range

500–1500 mg

Divided in three doses, such as 500 mg three times daily with meals.

Consumption

With meals, as a standardized bark extract—consult healthcare provider for long-term use or in presence of chronic disease.

Not fat-soluble.

Best time

Food may enhance absorption and reduce mild GI side effects.

Description

Terminalia arjuna is a medicinal tree bark from India, long used in Ayurveda for heart health. Modern research suggests benefits for mild heart conditions and oxidative stress, but large-scale trials are limited.

benefits

Main effects with level of evidence

Moderate

Note on evidence

Human studies suggest possible benefits for angina and cardiac function, but evidence is stronger for traditional and animal studies than for modern large-scale clinical trials.

Supports cardiovascular health

Moderate

May reduce angina symptoms, improve cardiac function, and support healthy blood pressure and lipid profiles.

Particularly relevant for: adults with mild-to-moderate cardiovascular risk · those seeking natural heart health support

S1 · WebMD - Terminalia arjuna S2 · Phytomedicine (PMC4220499): Terminalia arjuna: A Review S3 · Pharmacognosy Research (PMC5198828): Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Terminalia arjuna S7 · Examine.com - Arjuna

Antioxidant effects

Moderate

Acts as a free radical scavenger, helping reduce oxidative stress involved in heart disease and chronic conditions.

Particularly relevant for: adults exposed to oxidative stress · those at risk for cardiovascular disease

S2 · Phytomedicine (PMC4220499): Terminalia arjuna: A Review S3 · Pharmacognosy Research (PMC5198828): Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Terminalia arjuna S4 · Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine (ScienceDirect)

Anti-inflammatory activity

Limited

May help moderate inflammation, potentially benefiting cardiovascular and rheumatic conditions.

Particularly relevant for: individuals with inflammatory conditions

S2 · Phytomedicine (PMC4220499): Terminalia arjuna: A Review S4 · Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine (ScienceDirect)

May improve exercise tolerance in heart failure

Limited

Small clinical studies suggest potential benefit for exercise tolerance and cardiac output in people with heart failure; effects in healthy people are less certain.

Particularly relevant for: individuals with heart failure or compromised cardiac function

S2 · Phytomedicine (PMC4220499): Terminalia arjuna: A Review S3 · Pharmacognosy Research (PMC5198828): Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Terminalia arjuna S5 · Healthline: Arjuna Uses and Side Effects

Safety & Information

Important safety information & known risks

For educational purposes only • not medical advice

Generally safe at typical doses for short-term use, but poses higher risk in people with bleeding disorders, heart medication use, or during pregnancy/breastfeeding.

warning notices

Mild gastrointestinal side effects are possible.
May affect blood clotting; higher risk in those on blood thinners.
Long-term safety unproven beyond 3 months of use.
Avoid use if you have a bleeding disorder or are taking anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs.
Discontinue at least two weeks before surgery to reduce bleeding risk.
Do not use during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to insufficient safety data.
Use only under medical supervision if you are taking heart medications (e.g., beta-blockers, digoxin, calcium channel blockers).

Known interactions with medications

anticoagulants
antiplatelets
cardiac medications

Contraindications / special precautions

bleeding disorders
pregnancy
breastfeeding

interactions

Important interactions between active ingredient ↔ supplement / medication / food

Arjuna may interact with anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, and other cardiovascular drugs, potentially increasing risk of adverse effects.

May increase bleeding risk when combined with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.

drug · anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs

CautionModerate

Why

Arjuna may slow blood clotting, increasing risk of bleeding.

recommendation

Monitor closely for signs of bleeding or bruising; avoid combination unless supervised by a health professional.

S1 · WebMD - Terminalia arjuna S6 · NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) - Terminalia arjuna

May potentiate or alter effects of heart medications.

drug · cardiac medications (beta-blockers, digoxin, calcium channel blockers)

CautionModerate

Why

Additive or interacting effects could increase risk of hypotension, bradycardia, or arrhythmia.

recommendation

Use under medical supervision and monitor blood pressure and heart rate.

S1 · WebMD - Terminalia arjuna S2 · Phytomedicine (PMC4220499): Terminalia arjuna: A Review S6 · NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) - Terminalia arjuna

mechanisms of action

Brief explanations of how it works

Antioxidant activity via flavonoids and saponins

Reduces free radical load and supports vascular and cardiac cell health.

S2 · Phytomedicine (PMC4220499): Terminalia arjuna: A Review S3 · Pharmacognosy Research (PMC5198828): Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Terminalia arjuna

Anti-inflammatory triterpenoids and tannins

Modulate inflammatory pathways at cellular level, possibly reducing damage from chronic inflammation.

S2 · Phytomedicine (PMC4220499): Terminalia arjuna: A Review S4 · Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine (ScienceDirect)

Cardiotonic effects—improving myocardial function

May improve left ventricular function and reduce symptoms in certain cardiac conditions.

S2 · Phytomedicine (PMC4220499): Terminalia arjuna: A Review S3 · Pharmacognosy Research (PMC5198828): Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Terminalia arjuna

Sources & References

Primary literature and reviews on which these statements are based

7 sources

WebMD - Terminalia arjuna

Phytomedicine (PMC4220499): Terminalia arjuna: A Review

Pharmacognosy Research (PMC5198828): Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Terminalia arjuna

Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine (ScienceDirect)

Healthline: Arjuna Uses and Side Effects

NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) - Terminalia arjuna

Examine.com - Arjuna

Last updated: February 8, 2026

This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.