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The great thing about Ayurveda is that its treatments always yield side benefits, not side effects

Shubhra Krishnan

Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) is one of the most important medicinal plants used in most ayurvedic recipes in the treatment of several diseases. Because of number of pharmacological properties, haritaki is extensively used in Ayurveda, homeopathy, unani and siddha system of medicine. In Sanskrit “Hara” is also the name of Lord Shiva, thus reflecting the sacred nature and elevated position of the plant. The revered Charak declared the fruit of this south Asian tree to be a powerful rejuvenator, and the best in fighting off sicknesses. The plant is also named as Pathya, owing to its beneficial effect for the channels (patha) of the body. Haritaki is that fruit which removes all diseases from the body and brings a luster and shine to the skin. Legend has it that haritaki tree produced from a drop of nectar (amrita) fell to the earth. Accordingly, in Tibetan medical philosophy, it is called as the “king of all medicinal plants”. Haritaki is most widely known as a component of the Ayurvedic preparation triphala, but exhibits noteworthy healing effects both individually and in combination with other herbs. Though haritaki is a common drug, it is observed the drug is not used in the proper way. Actually the entire fruit is to be used unless otherwise specialized to obtain the optimum therapeutic efficacy of the drug.

Haritaki Herb Information

1. Nomenclature

Family Name: Combretaceae

Scientific Name: Terminalia chebula – Fructus (retaceae)

Sanskrit Name: Haritaki, Abhaya

English Name:: Chebulic myrobalan

Common name: Chebulic myrobalan, Harde, Hara

Synonyms: Haritaki, Abhaya, Shiva, Bhishagwara, Rudrapriya, Harade, Himaja, Pilo Hardae, Chhoti Har, Halda, Har, Haraa, Haraaraa, Harad, Harara, Harash, Harb, Harda, Harir, Haritaki, Haritali, Harra, Pile Hara etc

2. Bioenergetics

Rasa: All but salty, mainly kashaya, bitter

Guna: Light, dry

Virya: Ushna

Vipaka: Madhura

Dosha effect: VPK=

Dhatu: All tissues

Srota: Digestive, Excretory, Nervous, Respiratory

3. Biomedical Action

Laxative, astringent, anthelmintic, nervine, expectorant, tonic

Habitat

T. chebula is capable of growing in a variety of soils, clay as well as shady The trees may grow at places up to a height of about 2,000 m from the sea level, and in areas with an annual rainfall 100-150 cm and temperature 0-17° C. In India, it is quite prevalent all over Northern India reaching in the outer Himalayas up to an altitude of 2,000 m, from Ravi to West Bengal. It’s occurrence is particularly abundant in the Kangra Valley of the Himalayas, Punjab, Assam, Bihar, Karnataka, Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu, Orissa, Kerala, Andra Pradesh, Uttar Prdesh, West Bengl, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. T. chebula, though, is a native of Asia, but also found in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran and Turkey and also in Pakistan and Yunnan, Tibet, Guangdong, Guangxi province of China.

Haritaki Fruits

Botanical Characters

The large deciduous haritaki tree grows at an altitude of 1,800 m attaining 25 – 30 m height, 1.5 – 2.5 m diameter. It has round crown and spreading branches. Branches, young leaves and leaf buds are covered with soft shining coloured hair. Leaves 10 – 20 cm long, ovate, rounded acute apex. The flowers are dull white, bisexual with a strong unplesant smell. Fruit is a drupe, 2-4 cm long and 1.3-1.5 cm broad, hard and yellowish green in colour, each fruit has a single seed. It has five lines or five ribs on the outer skin. Bark 6 mm thick, dark brown with some longitudinal cracks. Flowering in May to September and fruiting in July to December. Fruit is green when unripe and yellowish grey when ripe

Chemical Constituents

T. chebula contains tannins up to 30%, chebulic acid 3-5%, chebulinic acid 30 %, tannic acid 20-40%, ellagic acid, 2,4-chebulyi–β-D-glucoyranose, gallic acid, ethyl gallate, terchebin, anthraquinone, flavonoids like luteolin, rutins, and quercetin etc. Some of the other minor constituents were polyphenols such as corilagin, galloyl glucose, punicalagin. Besides, fructose, amino acids, succinic acid, beta sitosterol, resin and purgative principle of anthraquinone are also present. Flavonol, glycosides, triterpenoids, phenolic compounds were also isolated. Twelve fatty acids were isolated from T. chebula of which palmitic acid, linoleic acid and oleic acid were main constituents.

Plant Part Used

Fruits

Health Benefits

T. chebula is extensively used since anciet times against number of disesases.

• Terminalia chebula is a true digestive tonic. It ignites the fire of digestive tract and so helps the body to digest and absorb total nutrients.
• Haritaki is also used in combination with bibhitaki and amalaki to prepare a formulation called Triphala. This medicine is widely used as anti aging formula and also as laxative.
• Haritaki is also believed to have powerful effect on intestinal parasites such as Amoeba giardia and many others parasites.
• It is used in the preparation of medicines for the treatment of infectious diseases like leucorrhoea, chronic ulcers, pyorrhea and other types of fungal infections of the skin.
• It is a strong laxative, and is used to cleanse the digestive system by moving waste thoroughly.
• T. chebula is also believed to improve intelligence and alertness in a person.
• In the Ayurveda an ancient healing system haritaki is used to treat all sorts of eye disorders – inflammation, conjunctivitis. Not only is it recommended for eye infections due to its antibacterial properties, but it also strengthen and improves eyesight.
• In addition haritaki nurtures and improves both the liver and the spleen in their function. These processes lead to the rejuvenation of the whole body, and prove haritaki to be an invaluable Rasayana of Ayurvedic medicine.
• Present scientific knowledge indicate that the gallic acids contained in haritaki exhibit antibacterial as well as antifungal axtion which might be playing a key role in control of diseases.
• It is also used for increasing the immunity of the body. Haritaki is used in the treatment of mouth ulcers, stomatitis, asthma, cough, gastroenteritis, skin diseases, leprosy etc.
• It is also used for treatment of intermittent fever, rheumatic pain and fever, wounds and arthritis. Haritaki is one of the best herbs for treatment of vata dosha; it is used as a natural remedy for flatulence; indigestion etc.
• It reduces lipid deposits in the blood and liver.
• Furthermore, haritaki is used to treat respiratory illness, and is effective in cases of bronchitis and chronic asthma. Also used as a purgative in ayurvedic treatments. It is also used as a tonic and expectorant.
• Haritaki is called as the mother of human being. As a mother never does bad for her progeny similarly haritaki never does bad for the health of a fellow. It benefits a fellow in all aspects
• It sends accumulated vata downwards and helps to clear wheezing, weak voice and asthma.
• Another avantage of haritaki is it heals ulcers. Mouth ulcer, stomach ulcer, gets healed. And the oxygen level in the blood drastically increases

Home Remedies

• To achieve laxative action of Haritaki, adult dose of powder is 3 to 6 g. and for children, the dose of Haritaki is 0.5 to 1 g. to be taken with lukewarm water once a day on an empty stomach. It is preferably taken early in the morning or minimum three hours after dinner. Haritaki is useful in constipation, haemorrhoids, stomatitis, hyperacidity and associated gastrointestinal disorders.

Cautions

• No side or toxic effect of Haritaki is reported with its recommended dose. Clinical studies have also shown no adverse effect in patients treated with Haritaki alone or with formulations.
• Avoid taking dry diet and a diet with higher fibre content and liquids is advisable for the patient.
• It should not be prescribed to pregnant women. It is safe for the baby if the nursing mother is taking this medication.
• The astringent and dry property of Haritaki may induce nausea in sensitive individuals. This may be masked by consuming it in tablet form or by preparing its decoction and adding jiggery to it.
• Dose of Haritaki as a laxative varies from person to person according to their constitution, digestive power and bowel habit. Administration of Haritaki should be stopped if the desired effect is not achieved.