Info on sources, I've ordered from all of these for years, invariably good quality and and good customer service. I think all three sell plain herbs in smaller amounts than just one pound as well.
Starwest Botanicals
http://www.starwest-botanicals.com/
Bulk herbs
http://www.starwest-botanicals.com/category/bulk-herbs/
Banyan Botanicals
http://www.banyanbotanicals.com/
Bulk herbs page:
http://www.banyanbotanicals.com/shop/category/bulk-herbs-spices-formulas/
Vadik Herbs
http://www.vadikherbs.com/
Bulk Herbs
http://www.vadikherbs.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1&zenid=au5gcdcj72f55jb53q3vkf7675
One of the best herbs for reducing BP is Arjuna, a bark of a semi tropical tree. It is a good general heart tonic and regulator as well. Taken in a large enough dose it can reduce BP by itself. I prefer to use formulas for good balancing but different herbalists use various methods of herbs, singly or in combination.
http://lifespa.com/arjuna-an-herbal-hero-for-the-heart/
Arjuna: An Herbal Hero for the Heart
by John Douillard on May 8, 2013 | 20 Comments
In India, this herb has commanded well-deserved respect from the research community. The bark from the Arjuna tree has been used for thousands of years in Ayurveda to support numerous health concerns including, prominently, cardiovascular health.
Today, research is backing up these ancient claims and cardiologists are beginning to incorporate Arjuna into their cardio-care protocols.
Perhaps what has made Arjuna so appealing is that numerous studies have attested to its safety when taken with other herbs. As of yet, no known interactions with western medications have been found (1).
In fact, in certain instances research has suggested that Arjuna supports western heart-related medications, as well as supporting heart health on its own (6). Arjuna may be an example of a scenario of the future, where western medicines and herbs work together for the benefit of the patient.
Keep reading to learn about the Ayurvedic perspective on heart health and the promising benefits of Arjuna. [Long article, very interesting!]
http://www.asianhealthsecrets.com/twelve-good-things-about-arjuna/
Twelve Good Things About Arjuna
Arjuna tree bark (Latin Name: Terminalia arjuna Wight & Arn.) is a cardioprotective botanical used in Ayurveda (East Indian traditional medicine) since 2500 B.C. It has remarkable cardioprotective, heart muscle strengthening properties. Here are good reasons to take 250 mgs of Arjuna with meals once or twice daily.
1. Arjuna bark powder is rich in saponnins, natural anti-oxidants (flavonoids) gallic acid, ellagic acid, oligomeric proanthocyanidins, phytosterols, and minerals including calcium, magnesium, zinc and copper.
2. Regular use of T.arjuna improves the pumping activity of heart, which makes it very useful for heart weakness and congestive heart failure.
3. Arjuna improves cardiac muscle strength
4. It decrease in LDL cholesterol levels. Arjuna’s ability to suppress the blood’s absorption of lipids indicates that it has cholesterol-regulating properties. Its principle constituents are §-sitosterol, ellagic acid and arjunic acid.
5. Arjuna bark is rich in Co-enzyme Q-10 which prevents incident of heart attacks.
6. Arjuna also has a tonic and diuretic effects that benefit cirrhosis of the liver.
7. It induces a drug-dependent decrease in blood pressure and heart rate.
8. The bark of Arjuna is useful as an anti-ischemic and cardioprotective agent in hypertension and in ischemic heart disease, especially in disturbed cardiac rhythm, angina or myocardial infarction.
9. Arjuna helps maintain a healthy heart and reduces the effects of stress and nervousness.
10. Arjuna enhances prostaglandins and lowers risk of coronary heart trouble.
11. Arjuna can relieve symptomatic complaints of essential hypertension such as giddiness, insomnia, lassitude, headache and the inability to concentrate.
12. In a study on the efficacy of the bark powder in treating congestive cardiac failure (CCF), over 40% of the cases showed marked improvement. CCF due to congenital anomaly of heart and valve disease was also brought under control. 4 out of 9 cases of CCF due to chronic bronchitis were also relieved by the treatment.
More comments by the author:
Arjuna seems to be an excellent tonic for people who eat richly and avoid exercise. Those who live under stress or are at risk of heart troubles or high cholesterol. It has few if any contrindications –see details below. As a preventative, you might take 500 mgs daily – 1 pill and watch the results. I add 1/2 tsp to a pot of morning tea.
I would avoid arjuna if you are pregnant or lactating. It has not been tested so much under those conditions.
I would use it only with supervision if you have a very slow heart beat or hypotention – very low blood pressure.
Arjuna can thin the blood (anti-platelet activity) so be careful if you take those drugs (see below).
Avoid it if you bleed too easily.
Otherwise no unusual effects have been reported.
Here are some useful studies:
Clinical studies have been conducted in coronary heart disease using T. arjuna bark extract at doses of 500 mg every 8 hours.
Statistically significant reduction in angina and improved diastolic function was shown in patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation at 1 and 3 months with T. arjuna . Effects similar to treatment with isosorbide mononitrate 40 mg daily were demonstrated in patients with chronic stable angina given T. arjuna bark extract. Reduction in the frequency of angina and improved treadmill exercise test parameters were shown.
Brachial artery endothelial dysfunction was improved after 2 weeks of T. arjuna bark extract versus placebo in young male smokers.
Hepatoprotection
In clinical trials and animal experiments, T. bellirica and T. arjuna , alone as well as in combination, exhibited hepatoprotective effects.
Dosage
Clinical studies have been conducted in coronary heart disease using T. arjuna bark extract 500 mg every 8 hours for up to 3 months. Dosages for other Terminalia species have not been clinically defined.
Pregnancy/Lactation
Because information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking, avoid use. One source cautions against taking T. bellirica and T. chebula during pregnancy.
Interactions
None well documented. Potentiation of the anticoagulant effect of warfarin and other anticoagulants might be expected because T. arjuna bark extract exhibits antiplatelet and anticoagulant action similar to that of aspirin.
Adverse Reactions
Research suggests extracts of T. arjuna are well tolerated. Adverse reactions similar to those seen with placebo (constipation, headache, abdominal discomfort, body ache) were described in one clinical trial, while mild gastritis was noted in another. T. arjuna also exhibits antiplatelet and anticoagulant activity.
http://www.himalayawellness.com/products/pharmaceuticals/arjuna.htm
Himalaya HealthCare
Arjuna
Comprehensive control of hypertension
Arjuna (Terminalia Arjuna) extracts have been widely used in Ayurvedic medicine. The bark of the tree has been used for several centuries for treating cardiovascular ailments. It has a host of other therapeutic benefits including treating asthma, hypertension and kidney stones.
In the Health Sciences Institute newsletter, a network of medical experts, ‘Once in a blue moon, we uncover a supplement (Arjuna) that does so many things well; it is hard even for us to believe it is real.’ The article goes on to mention that many clinical studies that have been conducted on Arjuna, have confirmed its numerous therapeutic cardiac benefits. The Health Sciences Institute article mentions that the product from Himalaya is the only chromatographically fingerprinted Arjuna extract.
Arjuna, a deciduous riparian tree native to India, can grow up to a height of 27 meters. The tree is also found in Myanmar and Sri Lanka.
Active constituents:
The bark contains phenolic constituents (arjunolic acid and terminic acid), glycosides (arjunetin and arjunosides I–IV), flavones, tannins, oligomeric proanthocyanidins and b-sitosterol. Casuarinin, a hydrolyzable tannin isolated from the bark, exhibits antiherpes virus activity by inhibiting viral attachment and penetration. The ethanolic extracts present in Arjuna have exhibited properties that help heal wounds.
Herb functions:
Cardio-protective: The extract of Arjuna bark exerts a positive inotropic and hypotensive effect, increases the coronary artery flow and protects the myocardium against ischemic damage.
Antioxidant: Arjuna contains several substances that have a very strong antioxidant benefit.
Antihypertensive: Arjuna bark also has mild diuretic properties, reduces clot formation, enhances prostaglandin E(2) levels and lowers blood lipid levels which contribute towards the management of hypertension.
Indications:
As an adjuvant in ischemic heart disease
Hypertriglyceridemia (high triglyceride levels in the blood)
Mild to moderate hypertension
As a preventive medicine to patients susceptible to ischemic heart disease
