Terminalia chebula is medium to large sized deciduous tree growing up to height of 25-30mt and diameter of trunk of this tree is 1mt. This plant matures with numerous branches and rounded crown. Bark of this medicinal plant is dark brown in color with longitudinal cracks. Leaves are oval or elliptic, 7-8cm long, alternate or sub opposite in direction with a petiole of 1-3cm. These are oblique and unequal at the base and have 5-8 pairs of veins. Fruit of this plant is ovoid drupe, broad, blackish and have five longitudinal ridges. Flowers have dull white to yellow color with strong and unpleasant odor. Its flowers are hermaphrodite and fruits are yellow to orange-brown in color. Flowering of this Indian medicinal plant appears between April and August and plant bears fruits from November to January.
Haritaki is one main key ingredient in triphala and famous rejuvenating herb. Common names of Haritaki are Indian hog plum and Indian walnut. It is miraculous fruit with immense healing power. Most important point about this herb is that it increases longevity and it is good liver tonic. It is natural compound that is very essential for promoting overall body health and for the support of digestive system and functioning. According to Ayurvedic medicinal system powdered form of this herb is used in the treatment of intermittent and chronic fevers, polyuria and anemia.
It contains various chemical compounds like chebulagic, chebulin and corilagin. Various antioxidants of this plant are phloroglucinol, pyrogallol, ferullic, vanillic and caeffic acid.
Haritaki is gentle laxative, purgative, astringent, anti-bilious and anti-oxidant in nature. This herb is laxative, digestive, tonic, expectorant, anti-dysentery, and carminative and has good properties.
Bhavprakash explained seven types of haritaki according to its medicinal properties and distribution in various places.
Haritaki is native to India and it is also distributed in China, Nepal and Sri Lanka. In India it is widely distributed in sub-Himalayan track from Ravi to West Bengal and Assam. It is also cultivated in Fiji, Pakistan, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia.
Hindi / Sanskrit |
English |
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Rasa |
Katu, Tikta, Kashay, Madhur, Amal |
Taste |
Pungent, Bitter, Astringent, Sweet, Sour |
Guna |
Laghu, Ruksha |
Physical Property |
Light, Dry |
Virya |
Ushna |
Potency |
Hot |
Vipaka |
Madhur |
Metabolic Property |
Sweet |
It balances all three doshas.
Charak Samhita |
Sushrut Samhita |
· Jwarghna - Herb helpful in fever · Kasaghna - Herb helpful in cough, cold and breathlessness · Virechnopaga - Herb help to induce purgation. · Kusthghana - Herb is helpful in skin disorders. · Vayasthapana - Anti-ageing |
Amalkyadi Parushkadi triphala |
Abhaya, pathya, prapathya, putana, amrita, jaya, avyatha, hemvati, vaystha, chetaki, siva, pranda, nandini, rohini and vijya all are synonyms of haritaki. Haritaki is astringent, sour, pungent, bitter and sweet in taste. It pacifies all three dosha, it is laghu, beneficial for eyes and induce purgation. The herb is used to cure polyuria, leprosy, ulcers, emesis, edema, gout and dysuria. It acts as carminative, beneficial for heart and used to cure all diseases associated with obesity.
The herb is native of Himalaya, because of its green color.
Haritaki is contraindicated for the patients of thirst, stomatitis, diseases of throat, acute fever, malnutrition and pregnancy.