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Terminalia

Other Name(s):

Abhaya, Amandier Indien, Amandier Tropical, Arale, Arjan des Indes, Arjuna, Axjun Argun, Badamier, Badamier chebule, Badamier Géant, Baheda, Bahera, Bala Harade, Balera, Behada, Beleric Myrobalan, Belleric Myrobalan, Belliric Myrobalan, Bhibitaki, Bibhitak, Bibitaki, Black myrobalan, Carambole Marron, Chebulic Myrobalan, Chebulische, Gall nut, Gallnut, Hara, Harad, Harada, Harade, Haritaki, Haritali, Harra, Harro, He li le, He Zi, Hirala, Indian Almond, Indian gall nut, Indian gallnut, Indian gall-nut, Ink nut, Jangalii harro, Kadukka, Kadukkai, Kadukkaya, Kalidruma, Karkchettu, Karshaphala, Manja lawai, Mirobalanos índicos, Mirobaran no ki, Myrobalan, Myrobolan Bellirique, Myrobolan Chébule, Myrobalanenbaum, Pathya, Rispiger, Terminalia arjuna, Terminalia bellirica, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia chebulic, Thuulo harro Tropical Almond, Vibhitaki.

Overview

Terminalia is a tree. Three species of terminalia are used for medicine. These species are Terminalia arjuna, Terminalia bellerica, and Terminalia chebula.

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.

Nevertheless, people today use Terminalia arjuna for disorders of the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular disease), including heart disease and related chest pain, 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.

How does it work?

Terminalia contains ingredients that help stimulate the heart. It might also help the heart by lowering cholesterol and blood pressure.

Uses & Effectiveness

Possibly Effective for...

  • Chest pain (angina). Some research shows that taking Terminalia by mouth with conventional medications improves symptoms in people experiencing chest pain after a heart attack.
  • Congestive heart failure (CHF). Some research shows that taking Terminalia by mouth with conventional medications for 2 weeks improves symptoms in people with CHF.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

  • Earaches.
  • HIV infection.
  • Lung conditions.
  • Severe diarrhea.
  • Urinary problems.
  • Water retention.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of Terminalia for these uses.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

Side Effects

Terminalia arjuna is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth for 3 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.

Special Precautions & Warnings

Pregnancy: 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.

Breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of Terminalia if you are breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Diabetes: Terminalia might lower blood sugar levels. Your diabetes medications might need to be adjusted by your healthcare provider.

Surgery: Terminalia might decrease blood sugar levels and interfere with blood sugar control during surgery. Stop taking Terminalia at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.

Interactions

Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.

Terminalia might lower blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking Terminalia along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. But more evidence is needed to know if this interaction is a big concern. Monitor your blood sugar closely.

Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase),

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Dosing

The following doses have been studied in scientific research:

BY MOUTH:

  • For treating chest pain after a heart attack along with conventional treatments: 500 mg of the powdered bark of Terminalia arjuna every 8 hours daily.
  • For congestive heart failure: 500 mg of the powdered bark of Terminalia arjuna every 8 hours daily.