Peak arjuna (Terminalia arjuna)

Other names: arjuna, arjuna, Pentaptera arjuna

Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna), also known as arjuna or arjuna, belongs to the Combretaceae family. It is a tree native to India that grows to a height of 20-25 metres. It is mainly found in lowland areas and around rivers. It has smooth, grey bark and branches set high on the trunk, hence its name 'canopy'. The tree flowers mainly from May to June and produces small, white flowers. Arjuna fruits, which appear at the end of the monsoon, are 2.5-5 cm long, five-sided, with shiny, brown seeds.

It is a tree with many uses, especially in medicine. The main part of the tree used for medicinal purposes is the bark, from which honey, oils, and various medicinal preparations are made. For example, the bark of the arjuna tree contains cardiotonic glycosides that are beneficial for the heart. In Ayurvedic medicine, arjuna is used for heart disease, but it also promotes faster wound healing, treatment of acne, diarrhea or stomach ulcers. Arjuna is also included in many cosmetic products, such as soaps, creams or shampoos, where it acts as an antioxidant and increases the strength and resistance of the skin. Arjuna wood is also used in carpentry and furniture making.