The main constituents of this shade and ornamental tree are ellagic acid and arunic acid.

In cases of cirrhosis of the liver the bark has a tonic effect and induces a drug-dependent decrease in heart rate and blood pressure. It is also helpful as an anti-ischemic and cardioprotective agent in ischemic heart disease and hypertension. Levels of triglycerides and cholesterol have been reduced and it has been reported to enhance the synthesis of LDL-apoprotein (apoB). It allegedly possesses protective cardiovascular and hypolipidemic properties. It inhibits the oxidation of LDL and accelerates the turnover of LDL-cholesterol in liver. This increases the expulsion of cholesterol from the body. The hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis suppression by Terminalia arjuna is the mechanism responsible for the recovery of HDL components in hyperlipidemia as well as a major reduction of beta-lipoprotein lipids.

The efficacy of the bark powder in treating congestive cardiac failure (CCF) was the subject of a study that showed a marked improvement in over 40% of the cases. Also observed were CCF due to congenital anomaly of heart and valvular disease being brought under control as well as 4 out of 9 cases of CCF as a result of chronic bronchitis being relieved by the treatment. Symptomatic complaints of essential hypertension viz. giddiness, insomnia, lassitude, headache and a lack of concentration ability were relieved by arjuna. Coagulation, bleeding and prothrombin time can be reduced by oral administration of an aqueous suspension of the bark powder.