Terminalia Arjuna - Uses, Side Effects, and More

Who should not use arjuna?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take arjuna.

• Arjuna
• Arjuna myrobalan
• Arjun tree (or arjuna tree)
• Kumbuk
• Terminalia arjuna
• White marudah
• Any other plant in the Combretaceae family
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific arjuna products they stock.

What should I know about arjuna before using it?

Arjuna is a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Arjuna is available in several forms. Common forms include capsules, tablets, dried bark powder, teas or decoctions, and liquid extracts. Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are taking, or take it as recommended by your health care provider.

If you take arjuna as a powder, follow the label to measure your dose. The label may give the dose as a certain number of grams or as a scoop or spoon size. The powder is often mixed into water, milk, or another liquid. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you are not sure how to measure your dose.

Arjuna has traditionally been used for heart conditions. Heart problems, such as chest pain, heart failure, or an irregular heartbeat, need to be checked and treated by a health care provider. Do not use arjuna in place of your prescribed heart care. Talk to your health care provider before taking arjuna, and do not stop any of your medicines unless your provider tells you to.

Keep arjuna out of the reach of children.

Some Ayurvedic products, including arjuna, have been found to contain harmful metals such as lead, mercury, or arsenic. Choosing products that have been tested by a third-party organization may help reduce this risk.

Herbal products, such as arjuna, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amount of each chemical in a specific arjuna product can change for many reasons, including the area where the plant was grown, the weather during growth, the time of year when it was harvested, and the way the plant was processed after being harvested. If you switch to a new bottle or a different brand, you may not have the same effects or side effects because of this variability. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.

The FDA has not tested arjuna products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using arjuna?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. Also tell them if you have an upcoming surgery planned. Sharing this information will help your health care provider know if this or other supplements are right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have or have had any of the following.

• Kidney or liver problems
• A heart condition, such as chest pain (angina), heart failure
• An irregular heartbeat, such as atrial fibrillation
• High or low blood pressure

Other Medicines and Supplements: Before taking arjuna, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how arjuna could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if arjuna passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.