Terminalia chebula is generally known as Harade or Haritaki in India, in Tamil karakkai In English is known as Chebulic Myrobalan as it is an important medicinal plant used all over India. In English, it is commonly known as “black myrobalans”.
The herb Terminalia chebula (Haritaki)
consists of approx 250 species which are widely distributed in tropical areas
around the world. It is used as traditional medicine and is one of the most
important herbs used in Ayurveda to cure various ailments.
The fruit of Terminalia chebula (Harade)
is regarded as the “king of medicines” by the Tibetans and the second-to-none
by Ayurveda, it also
held in high esteem by practitioners of folk medicine.
The herb Harade is generally used as
traditional medicine by the tribe of Tamil Nadu (India) to cure various
ailments such as fever, skin diseases cough, gastroenteritis, urinary tract
infection, diarrhea, candidiasis, wound infection, etc, it is commonly known as
‘Kadukkaai‘
in this region.
Where
is Haritaki Plant Found?
Terminalia chebula (Harade) is found distributed in the teak forests, mixed
deciduous forest, which extends in the forests of relatively dry types. It is
distributed throughout tropical and subtropical Asia, including Sri Lanka,
Burma, Thailand, Indochina Tibet, and southern China.
It is also found in the region of
Thailand and Burma along with teak. Generally, the Harade plant needs lots
of sunlight but withstands some shade in youth. It is a plant that can tolerate
drought and frost, can resist fire, regrowth with quick recovery from burns.
In India Haritaki plant is found in the
forests of northern India and region around Uttar Pradesh, Bengal, it is most
commonly seen in south Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka.
It was also introduced to Singapore but
failed, later it was successfully planted in the botanical garden in “Bogor”, later on, it was introduced in
Peninsular Malaysia.
How
To Identify Haritaki (Harade) Plant?
§ Plant: It is a deciduous
tree with average size up to 25 m tall, with variable appearance, with a
generally short cylindrical shaft of 5.10 m long, at breast height about 60-80
cm in diameter; crown rounded, with spreading branches; dark brown bark,
generally longitudinally cracked with woody scales; twigs rusty-villous or
glabrescent.
§ Leaves: alternate or opposite leaves, thin-leathery, oval or
elliptical-obovate, with 7-12 cm x 4-6.5 cm, rounded at the base, obtuse to
subacute apex, entire, pubescent below; petiole up to 2 cm long, provided with
two glands at the base of the leaf blade.
§ Flowers: Flowers in
axillary 5-7 cm long, simple or branched at some point, about 4 mm size,
yellowish-white and unpleasant aroma; 5-lobed calyx, corolla absent; stamens 10
exserted; lower ovary, one-celled.
§ Fruits: Fruit is obovoid
one or oblong-ellipsoid drupe, 2.5-5 cm long, faintly 5-angular, yellow to
orange-brown when ripe, glabrous.
Indian
Names of Terminalia Chebula
§ Assamese: Shilikha
§ Bengali: Haritaki
§ Gujrati: Hirdo, Himaja, Pulo-harda
§ English: Chebulic Myrobalan
§ Hindi: Harre, Harad, Harar
§ Kannada: Alalekai
§ Kashmiri: Halela
§ Marathi: Hirda, Haritaki, Harda, Hireda
§ Malayalam: Katukka
§ Oriya: Harida
§ Punjabi: Halela, Harar
§ Sanskrit: Abhaya, Kayastha, Aiva, Pathya, Vijaya (Not
Bhanga)
§ Tamil: Kadukkai
§ Telugu: Karaka, Karakkaya
§ Urdu: Halela
Haritaki
(Harade): An Ayurvedic View
It is among the important three fruits
used in “Triphala” an ayurvedic medicine which a well-known name throughout the
world for its health benefits. The herb haritaki is so important for the health that the first
quartet of chapters Charaka Samhita, Cikitsasthana begins with the title.
The first word “Abhaya” in the term
means Haritaki (Harade), besides this, almost all the famous Dravyaguna
Nighantu (lexicons), has a chapter entitled “Haritakyadivarga” which indicate
the therapeutic importance of it among the Ved (ancient doctors of India) of
Ayurveda.
There are about seven varieties of this
wonderful fruit mention in this section along with instructions on how to use
are also widely discussed in these sections. The remedy is considered to be the
best for a healthy and even safe substance for the body.
The Haritaki also enjoys wide patronage
in Tibetan medicine known as “A-ru-ra” and praised the adjective “Sman-mchog-rgyal-pa”
(the king of better medicines). The herb “Haritaki” is defined as “a fruit that
is dark green-yellow, which repels disease”.
Types
Of Haritaki (Harade)Fruits
§ Abhaya: (Very safe to use),
§ Avyatha: (cures pain), Pathya (safe for bodily
passages),
§ Kayastha: (which provides strength to the body),
§ Putana: (eliminates waste),
§ Haimavati: (grows on the Himalayas),
§ Cetaki: (Helps to attain a clear mind by cleansing
channels),
§ Shreyasi: (Takes care of the person who ingests it)
and
§ Shiva: (Provides all good things) in Sanskrit
Haritaki
(Harade): A Historical View
It is believed that the fruit Haritaki
equated with drops of nectar falling from the sky, while it was being consumed
by the god “lord Indra”. Bhavaprakasha tells this story in reverence as a
dialogue between Ashivini Kumara and Daksha. In the ancient Ayurveda book,
Samhitas the fruit “Haritaki” is mentioned in
various groups such as.
§ Kushtagna dashaimani
§ Virecanopagdashaimani
§ Hikkanigraha dashaimani
§ Kasahara dashaimani
§ Jvarahara dashaimani
§ Prajasthapana dashaimani
§ Vayahsthapana dashaimani
§ Mustadi gana
§ Triphala
§ Amalakyadi gana
§ Virecanopaga
Haritaki
Fruit With Five Rasa (Taste)
§ Rind: Madhura (sweet)
§ Ridges: Amla (sour)
§ Stalk: Tikta (bitter)
§ Seed/stone: Kashaya (astringent)
§ Membrane: Katu (pungent)
It has a tremendous combination (five
Rasas) of the whole fruit it is able to manage all the three doshas.
Haritaki
fruit Properties
§ Rasa (taste): Five
tastes except for salt, Astringent dominant
§ Guna (qualities): Laghu
– lightness, Ruksha (producing dryness)
§ Vipaka: Madhura (sweet) – Taste sweet at
the end of digestion.
§ Veerya/ Virya: Ushna –
Hot potency
§ Karma: Caksusya, Dipana, Hrdya, Medhya,
Sarvadosaprasamana, Rasayana, Anulomana
Haritaki
Synonyms
§ Abhaya
§ Amruta
§ Avyatha
§ Bhishagvara
§ Cetaki
§ Cetanika
§ Divya
§ Devi
§ Haimavati
§ Jivya
§ Jivapriya
§ Jivanti
§ Jivanika
§ Jaya
§ Kayastha
§ Pathya
§ Pranada
§ Prapathya
§ Putana
§ Rohini
§ Shiva
§ Shreyasi
§ Vayastha
§ Vijaya
Haritaki
Fruits Known By Size
§ Survari harade: They
are large, dense, and heavy about 2 inches long, with yellowish-brown color,
when cut it contains darkish brown or yellowish, pulp and stone.
§ Rangari harade: These
ones are smaller in size, with less wrinkled and less furrowed than the above
variety; in length about an inch; the epidermis is yellow; when cut it presents
a yellow dried pulp and a stone. Its pulp is less astringent than that of the survari harade.
§ Bala harade: They
are smaller than the above two varieties. Its color is deep brown or black,
with a highly wrinkled, dark, or brown epidermis. Its pulp is dark and
homogenous; there is no stone.
§ Java harade: These are the
smallest of all. Other characters are similar to those of Bala harade.
Haritaki
Fruits Known By Shape
§ Vijaya: having alabu shape used in all
diseases, habitat in vindahya mountains
§ Rohini: Round in shape- used in Vrana, habitat
in zansi, and other states of India.
§ Pootana: Size is small, the mesocarp is less,
the seed is bigger, externally used, habitat Sind.
§ Amirtha: Mesocarp is more used for shodhanakarma
habituate.
§ Abhay: Fruit having five ribbed used in eye
diseases, it habitate the champaranya Himalaya region.
§ Jeevantee: fruit is a golden
yellow, used in all diseases, habitate Himalaya.
§ Chetaki: Fruit having three ribs, used as
purgative.
Haritaki
Fruits According To Maturity
§ Halileh Zira: When the size is that
of cumin seed.
§ Halileh Javi: When the size is that
of a barleycorn.
§ Halileh Zangi: When the size is of a
raisin.
§ Halileh Chini: When the fruit is
somewhat hard and greenish-yellow.
§ Halileh Asfer: When it is very
nearly mature.
§ Halileh Kabul: Fully matured fruit
1.
It Helps In Acne
It is a wonderful herb with an
antibacterial property which can be very effective in dealing with acne
problems. Using Haritaki for acne is very simple, take ready-made haritaki
powder which is easily available in the market or make powder from haritaki
fruits, mix power with water and boiled it, soon it will become paste apply it
to acne.
It will not only cure acne but also
prevents scarring. Besides this haritaki have the properties that can protect
skin from UV rays, haritaki extract when applied on the skin will prevent skin
from UV damage it is also been proven through clinical research.
2.
It Helps In Cough
It is an amazing fruit that can be used
for the treatment of cough for all ages it can also be safe for
children. Making a remedy with haritaki for cough is very simple to make fine
powder, mix it with honey and give it to the person who is affected for 2 to 3
days.
If you are giving this remedy to children
for the first time it may vomit to its taste this is normal and no need to
worry about it, he will get used to it very soon.
Dose: A
pinch of Haritaki powder (about 2 grams) for children around 3 to 6 years and a
small pinch powder (about 1 g) for children between 1 and 3 years.
Note: This
remedy treats coughs very effectively but does not use continuously for
children without any medical supervision.
3.
It Helps To Lose Weight
Haritaki fruit is known for its
properties that can remove toxins from the body and can boost the digestive system.
It also helps the body in many ways such as heartburn, prevents bloating, and
helps in the proper assimilation of food in the stomach.
Besides these properties, Haritaki is also known as
a natural blood purifier that can help to eliminate toxins in the body. Regular
consumption of Haritaki can regulate hunger when combined with a proper diet
and exercise can be the best ayurvedic medicine to lose
weight naturally.
4.
It Helps In Glowing Skin
Haritaki is a wonderful fruit with
multiple health benefits. It has a rich source of Vitamin C and minerals like
selenium, manganese, potassium, iron, and copper which is beneficial for the
skin. The other properties such as stearic acid tannic acid, gallic acid,
palmitic acid, behenic acid, and Che bulimic acid helps to eliminate toxins
from the body.
So consuming haritaki can help the body
internally to get your skin clean. It also helps to treat acne problems. Using
Haritaki for glowing skin is simple, mix the powder haritaki with little water
and make a paste out of it apply the paste on the affected area on your face.
Consuming Haritaki internally or external apply both are beneficial for
the body.
5.
It Helps In Acidity
Haritaki is one of the most important
herbs of Ayurveda known to cure all stomach related problems such
as indigestion, constipation, and heartburn very effectively. Consuming Haritaki can also provide vitamins-C and
minerals live manganese, potassium, iron, and copper to the body.
Haritaki increases mucus production in
the stomach forming a protective barrier, preventing heartburn and ulcer. To
deal with acidity problems take 1/4 teaspoon of haritaki powder, mix in
hot water, and drink it within a week you will find the problem disappears.
6.
It Helps In Mouth Sores
Haritaki is a herb with many beneficial
properties it also has anti-cariogenic properties that can be useful in dealing
with most the dental related problems, especially bleeding gums and mouth
ulcers. Ulcers are a problem that can affect both young and old, having mouth
ulcers can be very painful as one can find difficulty in eating.
The best way to use Haritaki for the treatment of mouth
ulcers and other dental problems is to make a mouthwash with it. To
make the mouthwash, pound Haritaki fruit using a mortar and pestle; make sure
that you don’t make power. Just break the outer shell.
Then boil it in a cup of water, the
watercolor will change to dull yellow. Now the infusion is ready to let it
cools and rinse your mouth with infusion several times a day. It is the best
home remedy to deal with an oral ulcer, it can give good relief.
7.
It Helps In Hair Growth
Haritaki is an amazing herb that can be
helpful in treating hair loss problems. It is rich in vitamins and
minerals like Vitamin C, iron, manganese, selenium, copper, etc., which is
helpful in hair growth. It can be used in many ways such as eating, applying
powder on the hair, or using haritaki hair oil.
Many of them use haritaki oil to prevent infection
of lice and dandruff. Using it on a daily basis can make hair
thicker, black, and long.
How to use: Take
a cup of coconut oil in a pan and add 3 haritaki pods and heat it. Once it
turns brown, with outer shell cracks turn off the flame, let it be cool, and
store in a glass bottle. Apply this oil regularly to prevent dandruff and lice
infection.
8.
It Helps In Constipation
Many suffer from constipation and
gas for this they take some medicines on regular basis. Regularly taking
medications for constipation can make a person dependent on them, of course,
the side effects of bloating and flatulence is also created.
Haritaki powder has a natural laxative
property that can be helpful to those people to solve this problem. Regular
consumption of natural laxatives like haritaki
can benefit in constipation and it is also rich in fiber that can benefit the
overall health.
Making a remedy for constipation is very
easy to keep the haritaki fruit in the sun when it is well dried make a powder
of haritaki fruit. Grind them in very fine particles and store the powder in a
bottle. Take half to one teaspoon of the powder in a bowl, add boiling water to
it and drink when it is a little warm before going to bed. You will find the
changes in your health within a week.
9.
It helps In Diabetes
Diabetes has become a major and general
health problem throughout the world and it is growing at greater speed.
Usually, the medication used for diabetes also causes some side
effects. There are a variety of tasks required to reduce diabetes such as
eating a healthy diet, exercise, and other precautions.
Consuming 1 teaspoon of Haritaki powder
with a little honey daily in the morning can help to control diabetes Ref. (Astanga Sangraha Chikitsa
Stahna, 14/5).
A study was performed on the effect of
herb in diabetic patients, the water extract of dry Haritaki at a dose of 200
mg/kg body weight was given, it was found that it improved the glucose
tolerance, indicated by 44% reduction in the peak blood glucose at 2nd
hour in glucose tolerance test in diabetic (streptozotocin-induced) rats
(Murali YK et al., Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry, 2004)
Note: Please do consult your doctor and take advice if you
are already taking medicines for diabetes.
10.
It Helps In Skin Allergies
Haritaki has been successfully used to
treat various skin disorders associated with allergies, urticaria (hives), skin
rash, and other problems related to skin. It can also be very beneficial
for skin allergic that is caused by wearing artificial jewelry.
Haritaki
has natural antibacterial properties that can help in disinfecting wounds,
treat acne, and promote restoration of damaged tissues.
How to use: Take
one cup of boiling water; mix half a teaspoon of powder Haritaki in it. Mix it
properly then apply the paste on the affected skin, leave for a few minutes and
rinse.
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