Terminalia Arjuna

Other Names: Amandier Indien, Amandier Tropical, Arjan des Indes, Arjuna, Axjun Argun, Badamier, Badamier Géant, Baheda, Bahera, Bala Harade, Balera, Behada, Beleric Myrobalan, Belleric Myrobalan, Belliric Myrobalan, Bhibitaki, Bibhitak, Bibitaki, Carambole Marron, Chebulic Myrobalan, Hara, Harad, Harada, Haritaki, He Zi, Hirala, Indian Almond, Kalidruma, Karshaphala, Myrobalan, Myrobolan Bellirique, Myrobolan Chébule, Terminalia arjuna, Terminalia bellirica, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia chebulic, Tropical Almond, Vibhitaki.
Terminalia is a tree. Three species of terminalia are used for medicine. These species are Terminalia arjuna, Terminalia bellerica, and Terminalia chebula.

Special Precautions of Terminalia

• Terminalia arjuna is POSSIBLY SAFE when used short-term (for three months or less). But don’t use it without medical supervision. It might affect your heart.
• Not enough is known about the safety of Terminalia bellerica and Terminalia chebula. It’s best to avoid use until more is known.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is some evidence that Terminalia arjuna is POSSIBLY UNSAFE during pregnancy. The safety of the other two species during pregnancy is unknown. It’s best to avoid using any terminalia species.
• There isn’t enough information about the safety of terminalia during breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

The benefits of Terminalia are

• In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, Terminalia arjuna has been used to balance the three “humors”: kapha, pitta, and vata. It has also been used for asthma, bile duct disorders, scorpion stings, and poisonings.
• The bark of Terminalia arjuna has been used in India for more than 3000 years, primarily as a heart remedy. An Indian physician named Vagbhata has been credited as the first to use this product for heart conditions in the seventh century A.D. Research on terminalia has been going on since the 1930s, but studies have provided mixed results. Its role, if any, in heart disease still remains uncertain.
• Disorders of the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular disease), including heart disease and related chest pain (angina) after a heart attack, when used with conventional medications.
• Treating congestive heart failure (CHF), when used with conventional medications., high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
• It is also used as “a water pill,” and for earaches, dysentery, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), diseases of the urinary tract, and to increase sexual desire.
• Terminalia bellerica and Terminalia chebula are both used for high cholesterol and digestive disorders, including both diarrhea and constipation, and indigestion. They have also been used for HIV infection.
• Terminalia bellerica is used to protect the liver and to treat respiratory conditions, including respiratory tract infections, cough, and sore throat.
• Terminalia chebula is used for dysentery.
• Terminalia bellerica and Terminalia chebula are used as a lotion for sore eyes.
• Terminalia chebula is also used topically as a mouthwash and gargle.
• Intravaginally, Terminalia chebula is used as a douche for treating vaginal infections.
• In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, Terminalia bellerica has been used as a "health-harmonizer" in combination with Terminalia chebula and Emblica officinalis. This combination is also used to lower cholesterol and to prevent death of heart tissue.
• HIV infection.
• Lung conditions.
• Severe diarrhea.
• Urinary problems.
• Water retention.
• Eye Disorders : Beleric Myrobalan is applied as a soothing lotion over eyes. The herb can be made into fine powder and is beneficial to cure epiphora, which is watering of the eyes.
• Intestinal Worms : Beleric Myrobalan is mixed with Butea seeds, which is an effective anthelmintic. The herb should be taken 3 times a day. The herb is an effective cure for removal of intestinal worms.
• Stomach Disorers : Beleric Myrobalan is beneficial for stomach upsets like diarrhea and indigestion. Herb’s decoction should be taken to cure these disorders.