Arjun Tree
Classification
Kingdom : Plantae
Division Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order : Myrtales
Family : Combretaceae
Genus : Terminalia
Species: T. arjuna
Zoological name : Terminalia arjuna
Found In : Bandhavgarh National Park, Pench Tiger Reserve and Kanha Nationa
l Park
Other names : Arjuna, Koha, Kahu, Arjan, White Marudah, White Murdh, Arjuna Myro
balan, Orjun, Yerra maddi, Sadada, Sadaru and many more.
Description : Arjuna is the large size deciduous tree. The height of the Arjuna
tree reaches upto 60 -85 feet. It is the evergreen tree with the yellow flowers
and conical leaves. It has a smooth gray bark. Fruit is 2.5 -3.5 cm long, fibrou
s woody, glabrous with 5 hard wings, striated with numerous curved veins. It has
a buttressed trunk and a vast spreading crown from which the branches drop down
wards. Its leaves are dull green above and pale brown beneath. Arjuna flowers be
tween March to June and fruits between September to November.
Other Species : Terminalia chebula, T. bellrica and T. ciliata are the other spe
cies of Arjun tree found in India.
Location : Terminalia Arjuna is common throughout India especially in the sub Hi
malayan tracts and Eastern India. They are widely grown in Bandhavgarh National
Park, Pench Tiger Reserve and Kanha National Park in India. It is mainly grown o
n the banks of the rivers and streams.
Cultivation methods :Its fruit is dried in the sunlight and than stored up to 6
-12 months. Seeds are pretreated by soaking in the water for 48 hours before sow
ing in beds. 8 9 months seedlings are better to transplant in the field.
Medicinal uses : The Bark of the Arjuna tree contains calcium salts, magnesium s
alts, and glucosides has been used in traditional Ayurvedic herbalism Juice of i
ts leaf is used to cure dysentry and earache. Arjuna helps in maintaining the ch
olesterol level at the normal rate, as it contains the antioxidant properties si
milar to the Vitamin E. It strengths the heart muscles and maintains the heart f
unctioning properly. It also improves functioning of cardiac muscle. Arjuna is u
sed for the treatment of coronary artery disease, heart failure, edema, angina a
nd hypercholesterolemia. Its bark power possesses diuretic, prostaglandin enhanc
ing and coronary risk factor modulating properties. It is also considered as ben
eficial in the treatment of Asthma.
Other uses : Its wood is used in boat and house building as it is very hard. Its
wood is also used in the making of the agricultural implements and weapons too.
It is grown in the cities and towns for the purpose of shade.
Cultural Importance :Arjuna is one of the sacred tree of India. It has acquired
the social and religious sanctity with the passage of time. It is said that Arju
na has been born of the two sons of Kubair after saint Narada cursed him. The le
aves and flowers of this tree are offered to the Lord Vishnu and Lord Ganpati on
the several religious occasions. It has been used in Ayurvedic formation since
ancient times
