Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), is a heavenly code of life and one of nature’s wonder plants. ‘Haritaki’ in Sanskrit signifies the herb’s holiness. Haritaki translates as “that came from Lord Shiva’s abode” (Hari), “that is green” (harita), or “that heals all ailments” (harate).
Haritaki, sometimes referred to as “the king of medicines,” has many health advantages, including preventing hair loss and eliminating dandruff, assisting with constipation, preventing colds and coughs, clearing up acne and ulcers, boosting immunity, preventing diabetes etc.
Description
The wonderful herb haritaki has several uses. Many people use this herb as a revitalizing herb. It has numerous therapeutic benefits, including antipyretic, aphrodisiac, antihelminthic, and heart tonic effects.
Botanical Name:
Terminalia chebula
Family:
Combretaceae
Leaves:
The arrangement of the leaves is subopposite or alternating. They have cordate bases and pointy tips, giving them an oval form.
Flowers:
The flowers are tiny, smell bad, and are either dull white or yellow. At the terminal ends of branches, they are carried as small panicles or spikes.
Fruit:
In terms of therapeutic value, the fruit of the haritaki plant is the most significant component. It’s a drupe, a fruit variety that has one hard seed within and a fleshy outer covering.
Habitat:
It can be found up to 5,000 feet in elevation throughout India, particularly in the lower Himalayas from Ravi to East-West Bengal and Assam.
Parts Used:
- Fruits
- Roots
- Bark
Dosage:
- Powder – 3 gms to 6 gms
- Decoction – 30 ml
Chemical Constituents
Tannins such corilagin and chelinic acid are found in the fruits.In addition, it has a negligible quantity of phosphorous, succinic, quinic, and shikimi acids along with 18 amino acids. Fruit that is about to mature has less tannin and more acidity. The seed kernel contains the volatile oils.
Synonyms
Haritakiare Abhya, Pathya, Vijiya, Jivanti and Rohini, Kayastha, Putna, Amrita, Haimvati, Avyatha, Chetki, Sreyasi, Shiva, Vayastha.
Types of Haritaki
- Vijaya Haritaki
- Chetaki Haritaki
- Amrita Haritaki
- Rohini Haritaki
- Putna Haritaki
- Jayanti Haritaki
- Abhaya Haritaki
Other Language Names of Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)
English name -Indian hog plum, Indian walnut
Hindi name – Harad
Telugu name – Karakkaya
Tamil name – Kadukkai
Gujarati name – Harade, Hardi, Harara
Arabian name – Haleelaz
Farsi name – Hallel
Assam name – Shilikha
Kannada name – Arale, Alale
Konkani name – Ordo, Hardi
Malayalam name – Kadukka
Marathi name – Hirda
Persian name – Halela
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Subkingdom | Tracheobionta |
| Superdivision | Spermatophyta |
| Division | Magnoliophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Subclass | Rosids |
| Order | Myrtales |
| Family | Combretaceae |
| Genus | Terminalia L |
| Species | T. chebula |
Ayurvedic Properties
Hindi/Sanskrit
- Rasa -Katu, Tikta, Kashay, Madhur, Amal
- Guna -Laghu,Ruksha
- Virya -Ushna
- Vipaka -Madhur
English
- Taste -Pungent, Bitter, Astringent, Sweet, Sour
- Physical Property-Light, Dry
- Potency- Hot
- Metabolic Property (After Digestion)-Sweet
Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) Uses
- For people who frequently throw up, harad powder is the ideal form to consume. The ideal method is to combine honey with harad powder and eat it straight away. Additionally, you can take harad powder mixed with lukewarm water.
- About thirty milliliters of harad should be ingested to strengthen the immune system.
- In the rainy season, harad combined with rock salt can be a fantastic combo.
- When it comes to urinary issues, harad powder should be taken twice a day along with honey.
Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) Benefits
Improves Cognitive Functioning:
One such traditional medicine with strong brain-boosting qualities is haritaki. This myrobalan’s potent antioxidants and flavonoids enhance a person’s ability to concentrate, focus, remember things, stay calm, and be attentive. People who take haritaki in various forms notice a delay in the onset of neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s and dementia because it is a brain tonic and stimulant. It is a meal that improves memory and helps with reasoning, solving problems, and other cognitive functions.
Gastrointestinal Health:
The high dietary fiber content of haritaki aids in the relief of constipation. In addition, it gets rid of all the poisons in the digestive system.
Diabetes:
Haritaki possesses a quality known as hypoglycemia, which makes it extremely effective at reducing blood sugar. After consuming this “wonder fruit,” your pancreatic beta cells begin producing insulin. It decelerates the conversion of starch to glucose. Thus, continuous use of haritaki (Terminalia chebula) powder efficiently decreases blood sugar levels and improves many of the symptoms associated with diabetes, including frequent urination, increased thirst, weight loss, and so forth.
Promotes hair growth:
Ayurvedic scriptures from ancient times have documented the advantages of haritaki. It has a lot of iron, manganese, selenium, and other minerals and vitamins that are important for good hair growth.
Weight Loss:
The herb can aid in lowering the risk of obesity in addition to enhancing digestion. It detoxifies the body and gets rid of toxins. It controls appetite and lessens the desire for unhealthful foods. Furthermore, it lowers the body’s build-up of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which enhances metabolism and expedites weight loss.
Also Read: Ghritkumari, Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) – Properties, Uses, Dosage, Benefits & Side Effects
Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) Side Effects
Diarrhea:
As a natural laxative, ingesting too much haritaki might result in diarrhea.
Dehydration:
Drink plenty of water if you are taking haritaki, as diarrhea can cause dehydration.
Stomach upset:
Some people may get stomach distress after eating haritaki.
Low blood sugar:
Individuals with diabetes should exercise caution when using haritiaki since it may drop blood sugar levels.
Drug interactions:
Certain medications, including those that reduce blood sugar, may interact with haritaki.
Conclusion
Haritaki is a highly significant magical medicine that is used to treat a wide range of health issues, such as obesity, indigestion, gastritis, lung disease, asthma, cough, cold, vision defects, urinary tract infections, hair, and skin issues. The fruit or dried powder comes in a variety of forms, and by utilizing different ingredients; it can be consumed throughout the year. See a doctor for appropriate advice to reap the benefits and prevent negative consequences.
FAQS
What is Haritaki used for?
Additionally, it may lower blood sugar. There is no solid scientific evidence to support the use of Terminalia chebula for the problems of aging skin, constipation, diabetes, diarrhea, high cholesterol, osteoarthritis, and many other ailments.
What advantages does Haritaki offer?
Haritaki is thought to have the ability to enhance the condition of the skin, hair, and nails since it is a renewing and regenerative plant with antioxidant qualities.
Does Haritaki Lower Cancer Risk?
Haritaki’s high concentration of phenolic chemicals significantly hinders both cell division and apoptosis (death). As a result, this activity stops cancer cells from spreading throughout the body. Therefore, if taken in the recommended dosage, haritaki can very well prevent cancer; nonetheless, it is strongly advised to speak with a physician before taking haritaki to treat cancer.