Arjuna strengthens the health center of man - the heart. The Indian tree is particularly valued in Ayurveda for its healing and strengthening effect on our vital organ. No wonder, because it shares its name with a strong warrior from Indian mythology. How Arjuna is used in European Ayurveda® and what positive effects its powder has on the heart, you can learn here.
The Arjuna Tree
The imposing Arjuna tree, can grow up to 26 meters high and is native to large parts of India. Although from the outside it is a rather inconspicuous evergreen tree with gray-white bark, inside the wood has an unusual reddish color .
A powder is obtained from the red inner layer, which is not only characterised by its beautiful colour, but also by the special ingredients. For it contains 34% calcium carbonate, 16% tannin tannins, 9% other calcium salts, aluminium, magnesium, organic acids, vegetable colourings and sugar. For this reason, the bark of the tree is used in Ayurveda to achieve healing and strength.
In Indian mythology, the spice also has a special meaning, because this is not only the name of a tree, but also the name of a hero.
A heroic tree: Krishna and Arjuna
The tree shares its name with an Indian heroic figure from the epic Mahabharata. Arjuna was Krishna's dialogue partner and a brave fighter. It is said that one day the gods brought the Arjuna tree to earth when the hero needed emotional strength. The tree helped Krishna's friend regain strength , and so humans should also be able to benefit from the tree's good qualities.
Similar to the heart-strong fighter and hero Arjuna, wisdom and strength are also anchored in the tree. So it is not surprising that the bark is used in Ayurveda especially for inner complaints, such as those of the soul or the heart.
Arjuna: Effect of the red bark powder
Due to its many healing and dosha-balancing properties, the plant is considered divya aushadhi in Ayurveda, i.e. a plant that carries holiness. Arjuna has a particularly Kapha- and Pitta-reducing effect and strengthens the Vata dosha. It is used as a food supplement, powder or tincture in various areas.
Blood purifying
The spice improves the quality of blood and blood circulation. It reduces blood fat and rebalances the various blood components. In this way it ensures that the lifeblood flows well again and the circulation is stabilized. It also helps prevent edema and is used to lower high blood pressure.
Wound healing
The tree is also highly valued thanks to its wound-healing abilities. For example, Arjuna can be applied locally as a paste to wounds and ulcers, as it has a haemostatic effect and supports healing. But the bark extract is also effective for bone fractures. Due to its astringent properties, it promotes healthy fusion of the bones.
For skin diseases
The tree can also have its full effect on various skin diseases. In particular, complaints such as itching or conjunctivitis are alleviated by local application. Leukoderma, the loss of pigment in the skin, can also be treated with it.
Besides all these positive effects, the tree has a very special meaning for the heart in Ayurveda. Due to its strengthening and healing properties, Arjuna has always been used as a heart tonic in Indian medicine.
Arjuna: Balm for the heart
The heart is the expression of life, because it is a vital organ and at the same time the center of our emotions. In Ayurveda, the heart is additionally the seat of consciousness, spiritual values and mental abilities. Therefore, it is especially important that the heart is well and strong enough to keep us in our mental and physical center.
Arjuna is particularly beneficial for the heart and has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years to treat heart dysfunction. It strengthens both the emotional and the physical heart and strengthens the heart muscle. Thus, the frequency of the heartbeats is reduced, but at the same time the stroke volume is increased. In other words, the heart needs fewer heartbeats, but beats with extra force. This extends the relaxation period of the heart and relieves the muscle in a natural way.
However, the heart also connects the body with the soul. Ayurveda recognizes this special relationship and therefore uses Arjuna for emotional burdens. The powder helps to heal broken hearts again and gives strength and courage to draw new life force again. Therefore, Arjuna is said to have a particularly life-enhancing effect.
Are there also side effects?
In principle, no particular side effects of the powder are known. If you suffer from heart problems, however, an additional consultation with the doctor is recommended.
Always follow the recommended dose when taking Arjuna. As there is still little research on the use of Arjuna during pregnancy, you should avoid it if you are pregnant .
Taking Arjuna
Arjuna has been used for many millennia in Ayurveda as a natural food supplement and tonic. It is usually taken in powder form, i.e. as Arjuna Churna.
It can also be combined well with other spices such as ashwagandha or guggul.
Arjuna powder with milk or as tea
Due to its particularly dry properties, Arjuna is best boiled in milk. Especially for nervousness and heart complaints, an Arjuna milk before going to bed can be beneficial. Simply boil a glass of milk and stir about ½ tsp of the bark powder into the drink. If you like, you can also add a little ashwagandha.
Another option is to treat yourself to a nice warming tea. Arjuna tea is especially recommended for high cholesterol or high blood pressure. Simply boil ½ tsp of the powder with hot water and then add a little honey according to taste. Many different ready-made blends of Arjuna tea are already available in the shops, which of course work just as well.
Arjuna capsules
Of course, there are also Arjuna capsules that can be taken as a dietary supplement. The recommended daily dose is usually 3x one capsule per day, taken with meals.
The heart is our starting point for emotional and physical strength. With a little bark powder of the Arjuna tree, the vital muscle can be strengthened in its function and our mental and physical balance can be restored. Try the powder once and feel how the power of the mythical hero flows through your veins and gives you new vitality!
