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Summary The distinguishing feature of the traditional Indian medicinal system, Ayurveda, is its emphasis on the maintenance of positive health. As per Ayurveda, Indian medicinal plants are rich sources of substances that have several therapeutic properties including cardioprotection. Globally, cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of mortality. Several epidemiological studies suggest a correlation between antioxidant intake and occurrence of various cardiovascular diseases. This review deals with medicinal plants which possess cardiotonic, cardioprotective and antioxidant effects. It also includes our studies on the antioxidant properties of some of these plants such as Terminalia arjuna (arjun), Trigonella foenum-graecum (fenugreek), Curcuma longa (turmeric), Garcinia indica (kokum) and Vitis vinifera (grapes). Among these, Terminalia arjuna possesses the highest antioxidant potential and inhibit whole plasma oxidation in rats besides showing significant intestinal absorption. Other plants studied also exhibit radical scavenging effects as studied using various biochemical assays. These antioxidant effects may possibly be responsible for their known beneficial therapeutic effects including their use in cardioprotection.