Botanical Name : Terminalia chebula

Common Name :
Harithaki (Sanskrit and Bengali), Harad (Hindi),
Karkchettu (Telugu), Kadukkaya (Tamil),
Harade (Marathi and Gujarati).

Family : Combretaceae
Kingdom: Plantae

Action :

Terminalia chebula is mild laxative, stomachic, tonic, alterative, adaptogen, hepatoprotective, febrifuge, antispasmodic, expectorant, anti-asthmatic, antiviral and hypoglycaemic. It is useful in ophthalmia, hemorrhoids, dental caries, bleeding gums, ulcerated oral cavity and in many other diseases. Its paste with water is found to be anti-inflammatory, analgesic and having purifiying and healing capacity for wounds. Its decoction as a lotion is surgical dressing for healing the wound earlier.
Equal parts of three myrobalans and catechu are made in a paste with clarified butter or some bland oil work as an ointment in chronic ulcerations, ulcerated wounds and other skin diseases with discharge. These ointments could be a substitute for Gall ointments used in Britain.

These are used for astringent purpose in hemorrhoids as well. Its decoction is used as gargle in oral ulcers, sore throat. Its powder is a good astringent dentrifice in loose gums, bleeding and ulceration in gums.

Chemical Composition :

Fruits are mainly contain astringent substances - tannic acid, Chebulinic acid, gallic acid etc. Resin and a purgative principle of the nature of anthraquinone and sennoside are also present.

Uses :

Terminalia Chebula is used for
- Abdominal Disorders:

- It is good to increase the appetite, as digestive aid, Liver stimulant, as stomachic, as gastrointestinal prokinetic agent, and mild laxative.

- Haritaki has proven gastrokinetic effect i.e. it helps in moving the contents of stomach earlier. So it can be used after surgeries and as adjuvant with other drugs that interfere with gastric motility as antihistaminics, atropine like drugs.

- Base on its comprehensive properties, it promotes appetite and helps in digestion.

- It stimulates the liver and protects it further by expelling the waste excretory products from the intestines.

- The powder of Haritaki has been used in chronic diarrhea, sprue with good results. It should be used as hot infusion in these disorders. It is indicated in Protracted diarrhea with hematochezia and prolapse of rectum.

- For persons with excessive gas in intestine, flatulence, it is a good herb that can be taken daily. it will relieve these conditions smoothly.

- One compound Chebulagic acid from Haritaki has shown antispasmodic action like that of Papaverine.

- Being a mild laxative, it is a mild herbal colon cleanse. With its other properties, it provides some help in conditions with Liver and Spleen enlargement and in Ascites. It is not a strong purgative like other herbs as Senna. It does the cleansing action very smoothly. Further it can be taken for a long time without any ill effects.

- It is a good nervine. It is used in nervous weakness, nervous irritability. It promotes the receiving power of the five senses.

- It is adjuvant in hemorrhages due to its astringent nature. It helps in edema and various inflammations.

- It is good for Chronic cough, coryza, sorethroat and asthma. It is used with other herbs in many holistic herbal formulations in Ayurveda.

- Being anti-inflammatory, and astringent, it is useful in urethral discharges like spermatorrhea, vaginal discharges like leucorrhea. It can be given as adjuvant in atonic conditions of Uterus.
- It is helpful in Renal calculi, dysurea, and retention of urine.

- It is useful in skin disorders with discharges like allergies, urticaria and other erythematous disorders.

- It is given as adjuvant herb in Chronic fever. On long term use it is helpful in gaining weight in the emaciated persons and in losing weight in obese persons.


Clinical Observation :

- Haritaki can serve to act as an effective alternative to modern prokinetic drugs like metaclopramide.
- anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties
- Some preliminary evidence of its capability to be useful in HSV Herpes simplex virus.
- Some anti-tumor activity and effect in inhibiting the HIV virus.
- Anthraquinone and Sennoside like purgative activity. Ability to evacuate the bowel.
- Wide antibacterial and antifungal activity, esp. against E. coli.