Benefits of Haritaki, Overview, Medicinal Properties, Dosage, and Side effect
Haritaki is called as “King of medicines” and is one of the three that constitutes Triphala. This marvelous herb has versatile effects and possesses various medicinal properties such as antihelminthic, aphrodisiac, antipyretic, cardiac tonic, etc.
In ancient texts, it is mentioned that a drop of eternal nectar dropped from heaven upon the earth that leads to the rise of this divine tree. Thus it is considered a natural rejuvenating herb. This fruit is also called “the animating”, “the restorative”, and “the life-giving fruit. As per Ayurveda, it also balances all three doshas and cleanses the body’s symptoms.
———————Shlok————————-
Meaning of shloka:
This shloka means that haritaki has 5 tastes except for salt and astringent taste is dominant. It is dry, has hot potency, increases digestive fire, intelligence, undergoes sweet taste after digestion, is anti-aging, is good for the eyes, is light in digestion, rejuvenating, treats cough, diabetes, piles, skin diseases, inflammation, and worm infestation.
Latin name: Terminalia chebula
Family: Combretaceae
Haritaki Names in different languages:
- Hindi name: Harra, Harad, Harde, Hare, Har, Harade
- English name: Chebulic Myrobalan
- Kannada name: Anile, Alale kayi, Anniley, Anilaikayi
- Telugu name: Karakaapa, Karakkaya, Karakachettu
- Bengali name: Narra, Haritaki, Hatitaki gacha, Baalharitaki
- Arabian name: Haleelaz
- Sanskrit name: Haritaki
- Konkani name: Ordo
- Gujarati name: Himaja, Harade
- Tamil name: kadukemar, Kadukkai, Karakaiya
- Malayalam name: Katukka
- Marathi name: Haradi, Harada, Harade, Balaharadi, Haradi, Hartaki
- Farsi name: Haleel
- Assamese name: Hilika
- Manipuri name: Manahi
Haritaki Synonyms in the Sanskrit language:
Amrita, Kaayastha, Hareetaki, Pathya, Pootana, Abhaya, Prapathya, Shreyasi, Haimavati, Vayasta, Rohini, Jivapriya, Kayastha, Avyata, Divya, Jivya, Nandini, Pranada, Chetaki, Shiva, Vijaya, Jeevanti, Jaya, Jivanika, and Bhishakvara.
Categorization according to classical books:
According to-
Acharya Charaka:
- Kasaghna: Group of herbs that helps treat cough, cold, and breathlessness.
- Jwaraghna: Helps in treating fever
- Kushtaghana: Helps in treating skin disorders
- Vayasthapana: Works as anti-aging
- Virechnopaga: Group of herbs which induces purgation
- Acharya Sushruta: Parushkadi, Amalakyadi and Triphala
Morphological characteristics:
Haritaki is a medium-sized deciduous tree that grows up to the height of 50 to 80 feet. Its leaves are sub-opposite, ovate, alternate, oblong-ovate, its tip is acute, and cordate at the base. These are 3 to 4 inches long, 2 to 4 inches in-breath, and have 5 to 8 veins.
Its flowers are small and yellowish-white in the color that grows in clusters. Its fruits are 1 to 2 inches long, oval in shape, hard, and have prominent lines. Each fruit is having a seed in it which is one in number. Leaves mainly shed off in February and March. Flowers bloom in April and May and start growing in the winter season. Fruit can be collected from January to April.
Habitat:
Haritaki is cultivated in India mainly in the lower Himalayas from Ravi to East-west Bengal and it is also found in Assam to an altitude of 5000 feet.
Main chemical constituents:
Chebulic acid, tannic acid, ellagic acid, chebulanin, Chebulagic acid, gallic acid, Chebulinic acid, ethyl gallate, chebulanin, Hydroxy anthrauinones glycosides, 2,4-chebulyl-beta-D-glucose, punicalagin, corilagin, terflavin A, terchebulin, casuarinin, etc.
Medicinal properties of Haritaki
- Rasa (Taste): Five taste except salt and astringent is dominant in taste
- Guna (Quality): Laghu (Light) and Rooksha (Dry)
- Veerya (Potency): Ushna (Hot)
- Vipaka (Undergoes taste conversion after digestion): Madhura Sweet)
- Karma (Action): It balances all the three doshas ie.,vata, pitta and kapha
Varieties of Haritaki:
Vijaya Haritaki:
Vijaya Haritaki is used for treating various ailments and is native to the Vindhya mountain ranges.
Chetaki Haritaki:
The three-layered skin of the fruit is used as a natural purgation and this is found in the Himachal regions.
Rohini Haritaki:
The fruit of Rohini haritaki is round in shape and is used as a natural healer for wound healing and used as a remedy to fight against the effects of consuming harmful substances. These are mainly cultivated in the Sindh regions.
Putna Haritaki:
The fruits of putna haritki are small with are having big seeds and it is used externally for treating various infections and are usually found in India in the Himalayan regions.
Jayanti Haritaki:
Jivanti Haritaki bears yellow-colored flowers, and the useful parts of this type of haritaki are dried fruits that cure all types of disorders and are mainly found in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat.
Abhaya Haritaki:
The skin of Abhaya haritaki is five-layered and this type of haritaki is mostly used for treating eye-related disorders and is mainly cultivated in the Champa regions of Chhattisgarh.
Amrita Haritaki:
Amrita Haritaki has a thick fruit pulp that is useful in panchakarma procedures and is mainly found in the Champa Bhagalpur regions.
Benefits of Haritaki:
Cough and cold: Haritaki helps in treating cough and cold because of the Kapha balancing property. It can be taken with salt for balancing Kapha dosha in the body.
Constipation: As per Ayurveda, rechana (laxative) action of haritaki helps to treat constipation by increasing the amount of fluid in the large intestine and loosening the stool.
Weak digestion: Haritaki works as a natural digestant by cleaning the intestinal area and increasing the absorption of nutrients from the food. According to Ayurveda, it has pachana (digestive) and deepana (Appetizer) property that increases the digestive fire and aid in the digestion of food.
Skin disease: Haritaki works as a natural blood purifier because of the pitta balancing property. It also removes the dead skin cells and helps in the growth of new cells.
Part used:
Fruit (Dry)
Dosage:
3 to 6 grams of fruit powder, once or twice a day.
Side effects of Haritaki
Haritaki is contraindicated in patients who are malnourished, thin and are suffering from acute fever and having Vata and pitta body type. It is also contraindicated in pregnant women and lactating mothers.
Conclusion:
From this article, it is concluded that haritaki has various medicinal uses as per Ayurveda but it should not be taken during pregnancy and lactation.
Some FAQs:
How to take haritaki?
Haritaki can be taken with milk.
Can haritaki be taken daily?
Yes, haritaki can be taken daily.
How long does it take for haritaki to work?
Haritki takes 1 to 2 weeks to work for good results.
Does haritaki increase blood pressure?
Haritaki helps in balancing blood pressure.
Does haritaki reduce inflammation?
Yes, as an anti-inflammatory it reduces inflammation.
How to take haritaki for weight loss?
Take haritaki fruit powder with a glass of warm water daily.
Haritaki Capsules promote healthy digestion which enhances the body to absorb more nutrients. It has laxative properties which help to prevent constipation and keep the digestive system clean.
Haritaki has powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. Haritaki helps to prevent diabetes, aids memory retention and focus.
Note: Our purpose is to serve useful information related to Haritaki ’s benefits, dosage, and other properties. It is advised to the patients not to consume Haritaki on the basis of this information. Before taking Haritaki as a medicine it is better to have an expert opinion because dosage and treatment vary from patient to patient depending on their symptoms and medical history.
Doctor Consultation Online: Get Personalized Consultation
At Life Aveda, we provide personalized online doctor consultations. In this, a doctor discusses the medical history of patients, does the root analysis on causes. After the deep analysis doctor suggest the necessary medication to the patient. To book a Consultation call on us at +91 7743002520 or click on the button to schedule an appointment with our expert doctors..
We Care For Your Health
- 100% PRIVACY PROTECTION
- VERIFIED DOCTORS
- QUICK RESPONSE
