Abstract

PHARMACOGNOSY AND CLASSICAL USES OF ARJUNA (TERMINALIA ARJUNA ROXB.): A CRITICAL REVIEW

*Dr. Ramesh Chandra Tewari, **Dr. Poonam Sharma, ***Dr. Ajay Kumar Sharma

Abstract

Ayurveda is the oldest system of medicine with a consistent theoretical basis and clinical applications. The strength of Ayurveda lies in its broad, all-encompassing view of the dynamic interrelationship between organic physiological processes, external factors including climate, life style and diet along with internal emotional stages. In contrast, modern science takes a more particular view based upon specific molecular structure and chemistry. Ayurveda, with its concept of Tridosha theory, is capable to provide a complete understanding of health in terms of a metabolic balance between the vata, pitta and kapha. Arjuna viz. Terminalia arjuna Roxb. of Combretaceae family is a close relative of Haritiki and Vibhitaki and has a similar importance in Ayurvedic medicine as a cardiotonic and rejuvinative agent for heart. Its action is specific for the heart and is useful in all types of heart diseases. Now a days when heart diseases are progressive among developed and developing countries with increasing death rate, Arjuna is an important herb and can be taken as a general cardiotonic for those with a propensity to myocardial infarction.

Keywords: Tridosha, Terminalia arjuna Roxb., Heart diseases, Myocardial infarction.