Haritaki (Terminalia Chebula) – The Holy Nectar on Earth

According to Indian mythology, the Haritaki had originated from the Holy Nectar.  When Lord Indra was drinking the Nectar in heaven, a drop fell on the Earth and became a Haritaki plant. So, it is believed that the plant possesses all the medicinal properties of Nectar. Along with Amla and Vibhitaki, Haritaki forms the herbal formula called ‘Triphala’. Triphala is a popular traditional Ayurvedic remedy for a number of chronic disorders including diabetes.

Botanical name: Terminalia chebula
Family: Combretaceae
English name: Black Myrobalan, Chebulic Myrobalan , Indian gall nut , Yellow myrobalan
Hindi name : Harda , Haritaki , Peele Hara

Haritaki is an ever green medium sized to big sized tree.
Leaves: alternate to sub opposite in arrangement, oval shaped with a petiole.
Fruit: drupe, broad, yellowish black to black in color with 5 – 7 longitudinal ridges.

Parts used as medicine: Fruits, Bark, and Roots

Ayurvedic recommendations

The Haritaki fruit is basically laxative in action, tonic, hepato-protective, and is known to cure cough and colds.  Ayurveda recommends Haritaki for conditions such as piles (hemorrhoids), dental and mouth diseases, and eye diseases. Haritaki, when used in a prescribed manner, acts as a medicine to nourish body tissues for rejuvenation of the body and mind.


Therapeutic uses

1.    Traditionally, the fruit is made into a paste and is used in healing wounds. The decoction is used as washing material and the powder form is used for dusting to enhance the healing process. Haritaki is one of the ingredients of Triphala which is known for its healing effects.
2.    Haritaki is mixed with ghee (clarified butter) and is applied in bleeding piles and external piles.
3.    Infusion prepared from Haritaki is used as gargle in mouth ulcers, dental problems, sore throat, and bleeding & ulceration of gums.
4.    Haritaki has good digestive and laxative properties.  It can be regularly used in conditions such as flatulence and prolapse of the rectum.  In mild doses it helps protect the liver and improves digestion and metabolism in children. It also helps remove infestations from the stomach.
5.    Haritaki is also very effective in treating Hyper Lipidemea (High Cholesterol).
6.    In Traditional medicine, Haritaki powder is mixed with honey and given as an expectorant for bad coughs and colds. It is said to clear the ‘Channels’. Haritaki is also administered with honey for boosting immunity.
7.    Haritaki being one of the three ingredients of Triphala is prescribed for nervous problems.  It enhances the circulation to the affected area by make the healing faster. 
8.    Haritaki is used as infusion for washing in conditions such as spermatorrhea, leucorrhea, gonorrhea, and cervical ulcers. It is a well known practice in Ayurveda.
9.    Long term use of Haritaki helps gain weight in emaciated people and helps lose weight in obese people.
10.    Haritaki powder when taken in between the meals is known to increase intellect, helps in down ward movement of Vata Dosha, and helps expel Doshas and malas properly.

Depending on the Doshas, Haritaki should be used with –

-    salt in case of Air (Vata Dosha)
-    jaggery in case of Fire (Pitta Dosha)
-    dried ginger in case of Water (Kapha Dosha)


Side effects:

Haritaki should not be used if –

•    Suffering from indigestion
•    Emaciated by addictive substances, too much sex, fasting
•    Feeling hungry or thirsty
•    Dehydrated after diarrhea or vomiting
•    Suffered blood loss due to accidents or injury

Haritaki should not be used when –

•    Pregnant
•    Suffering from acute Pitta aggravation
•    Suffering from acute fever.


Research

1.    A research study published in the International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents found that water extracts of black myrobalan (Terminalia chebula) inhibited urease activity of Helicobacter pylori and other bacterial species. The results showed that black myrobalan contains heat stable agents with possible therapeutic potential and antibacterial activity. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11463533]

2.    The chloroform extract of T. chebula seed powder was investigated for its anti-diabetic activity and evaluated for protection of renal functions in experimental diabetic animals. The results showed dose-dependent reduction in blood glucose of diabetic animals as well as significant reno-protective activity in the experimental animals. [http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=1540439]

3.    A 70 percent methanol extract of T. chebula fruit was found to decrease cell viability, inhibit cell proliferation, and induce cell death in a dose dependent manner in several malignant cell lines including human breast cancer cell, human osteosarcoma cell, human prostate cancer cell, and non-tumorigenic human prostate cell. The results were published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12127233]