Haritaki Powder (Terminalia chebula)
Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) is one of the most important drugs in Ayurveda, often claimed as the “King of Medicine”. It is used vastly in different Ayurvedic formulations. Haritaki fruit is one of the important three parts of Triphala (translate to three fruits), a well-known polyherbal Ayurvedic formulation. Harad comprises the pericarp of mature fruits of Terminalia chebula, which is a moderate or large-sized tree found throughout India. The leaves of harad are ovate, sub-opposite, 10-20 cm long, and deciduous during the cold season.
The fruit is rich in Vitamin C and does have anti-oxidant, laxative, astringent, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory properties. In Ayurvedic texts, Haritaki Powder (Terminalia chebula) has been recommended for use in external wound healing and internally as a Rasayana for the digestive system.
It is very effective in the management of oral hygiene, promotes digestion, enhances weight loss, manages diabetes, and nourishes hair and skin.
Scientific Classification of Haritaki (Terminalia chebula):
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Subkingdom: Tracheobionta
- Order: Myrtales
- Family: Combretaceae
- Genus: Terminalia L.
- Class: Magnoliopsida
- Subclass: Rosidae
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Superdivision: Spermatophyta
- Species: Terminalia chebula (Gaertn.)
Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) Synonyms:
- Sanskrit: Abhaya, Kayastha, Siva, Pathya, Vijaya
- Assamese: Shilikha
- English: Myrobalan
- Hindi: Harre, Harad, Harar
- Punjabi: Halela, Harar
Chemical Constituents of Haritaki (Terminalia chebula):
The main constituents of Haritaki are tannic acid (20%–40%), anthraquinone glycoside, chebulinic acid, and vitamin C in fruits. Also it is rich with linoleic, palmitic, Arachidic, behenic, and stearic acids.
Ayurvedic Action and Properties of Haritaki (Terminalia chebula):
- Rasa : Madhura, Amla, Katu, Tikta, Kasaya
- Guna : Laghu, Ruksha
- Virya : Ushna
- Vipaka : Madhura
- Karma : Chakshusya, Dipana, Hridya, Medhya, Sarvadosaprasamana, Rasayana, Anulomana
Therapeutic Uses of Haritaki (Terminalia chebula):
- The harad fruit is astringent, cardio tonic, antiseptic, diuretic, and febrifuge in action.
- It is used as a natural laxative, and purgative.
- Hariktaki is an important ingredient of ‘Triphala’, an Ayurvedic formulation used in the management of indigestion, chronic constipation, colic pain, kidney dysfunctions, and eye diseases.
- Due to its medicinal properties, it is highly recommended organic powder for skin problems as it flushes out the toxins from the internal layers of the skin and promotes overall skin health.
Dose of Haritaki Powder (Terminalia chebula):
Haritaki Powder (Terminalia chebula): 3-6 gm of the drug.
Reference:
Ayurvedic Pharmacopeia of India.
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