Terminalia
Scientific Name(s): Terminalia arjuna Wight and Arn., Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb., Terminalia chebula Retz.
Common Name(s): Argun kahua, Arjuna, Axjun, Bahera (Bahira), Bala harade (T. chebula), Balera (T. bellirica), Behada, Hara, Harada, Haritaki (T. chebula), Hirala, Kumbuk (T. arjuna), Myrobalan
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 5, 2021.
Clinical Overview
Use
Terminalia has been evaluated to a limited extent for its cardiovascular properties and for its role in cancer therapy. Hepatoprotective, cardiovascular, antidiabetes, cholesterol-reducing, antimicrobial, and antioxidant effects have been described.
Dosing
Clinical studies have been conducted in cardiovascular disorders using T. arjuna bark extract at doses of 500 mg every 8 hours for up to 3 months. Dosages for other Terminalia species have not been clinically defined.
Contraindications
Contraindications have not been determined.
Pregnancy/Lactation
Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking. Avoid use.
Interactions
None well documented.
Adverse Reactions
Extracts of T. arjuna are well tolerated. Adverse reactions similar to those seen with placebo (constipation, headache, abdominal discomfort, body ache) have been described. T. arjuna has also been found to exert antiplatelet and anticoagulant activity. In rats, T. arjuna extract was found to decrease thyroid hormone levels.
Toxicology
Information is limited.
Scientific Family
- Combretaceae
Botany
Terminalia species are evergreen trees. T. arjuna reaches approximately 30 m in height, has light-yellow flowers, and cone-shaped leaves. T. bellirica has clustered oval leaves and greenish, foul-smelling flowers with brown, hairy fruit about the size of a walnut. T. chebula grows approximately 21 m in height with white flowers and small, ribbed fruits. T. arjuna is used primarily for its bark; in other Terminalia species, the fruit is used.1, 2, 3, 4, 5
History
Arjuna bark has been used in the traditonal Ayurvedic medical system for at least 3,000 years as a remedy for heart ailments, and T. chebula has been used as a digestive aid. This species, referred to as "king of medicine" by Tibetans, is often depicted in the extended palm of Buddha. A traditional Ayurvedic herbal combination dating back 5,000 years is a mixture of 3 herbs, 2 of which are Terminalia species: T. bellirica (for health-harmonizing qualities), T. chebula (to normalize body balance), and Emblica officinalis (for vitamin C content; see separate Emblica monograph).3, 4 The fruit of T. arjuna has been used as a tonic, with the leaf paste applied externally on sores and ulcers. Additionally, the stem bark has been used for its antidysenteric, antipyretic, astringent, cardiotonic, and lithotriptic effects. The bark powder has diuretic effects and is used to treat hepatic cirrhosis and hypertension. The extract of the bark has been used to treat sores, ulcers, and scorpion stings, and to lower blood glucose.6
Chemistry
Tannins, flavonoids, and sterols have been identified in Terminalia species. Other constituents include amino acids, fructose, resin, and fixed oils.
In varying compositions, anthraquinones, gallic acid, chebulinic and chebulagic acid, ellagic and ethaedioic acids, and terpinenes and terpinenols have been described from T. chebula.4,
