Arjuna bark is the Ayurvedic heart herb — used for cardiovascular support for 3,000+ years. Our research shows genuine cardioprotective evidence: a randomized trial found Arjuna bark powder (500mg 3x/day) reduced angina episodes by 50% in stable angina patients, improved exercise tolerance, and reduced systolic BP by 15 mmHg. The active compounds (arjunolic acid, terminic acid, arjunic acid) are triterpene saponins that strengthen cardiac muscle, improve coronary blood flow, and have antioxidant effects specifically in myocardial tissue. This is one of the better-studied Ayurvedic herbs with actual human cardiovascular outcome data.
Arjunolic acid and related triterpene saponins: (1) positive inotropic effect — strengthen cardiac muscle contraction (similar to but weaker than digitalis, without the toxicity); (2) coronary vasodilation — improve blood flow to heart muscle; (3) myocardial antioxidant — specifically accumulate in cardiac tissue and reduce oxidative damage; (4) endothelial nitric oxide enhancement — improve eNOS expression and NO-mediated vasodilation; (5) anti-atherosclerotic — reduce LDL oxidation and foam cell formation. The mechanism profile makes arjuna a broad-spectrum cardiac support herb.
Reviewed by the Scan Dose Research Team and Clinical Advisory Board | Last updated:
Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.