Ayurvedic Health Benefits Of Haritaki (Terminalia Chebula)
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Haritaki
Haritaki, an awesome Ayurvedic fruit, known as the king of medicines is extensively used for a wide range of traditional remedies. Haritaki is botanically named as Terminalia chebula tree and is popularly known as Indian Walnut due to its great benefits. It is also called Indian hog plum in English. It is also known as Harad. Haritaki trees are deciduous and mostly grow in tropical and subtropical regions of India, Nepal, China, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Vietnam. The trees are quite tall, growing to a height of 30 m and its leaves are oval, alternately arranged on the branches. The flowers are dull whitish-yellow flowers and have a strong pungent smell. The fruits are yellow to orange-brown.
Ayurveda recommends the use of Haritaki due to its medicinal properties like a potent laxative, astringent, purgative, anti-bilious, and antioxidant properties. These properties help treat several health diseases. The dried fruits of Haritaki known as Chebulic myrobalan are one of the major constituents in Triphala formulation. This fruit has 5 different tastes such as pungent, Bitter, astringent, Madhura, and sour. It shows Ayurvedic properties like Laghu (light) and Rukhsana (dry) Gunas, Ushna, Virya (hot, potency), and Madhura Vipaka (sweet metabolic property).
This powerful Ayurvedic herb treats skin diseases, fever, cough, and cold piles, reduces purgation, inflammation, the aging process, pain, helps in digestion, and stimulates appetite. The powerful properties of Haritaki also treat diarrhea, dysentery, vision problems, obesity, gout, asthma, etc. It also pacifies all the three doshas like Vata, Pitta, Kapha, and also provides overall health to the body.
Haritaki - Plant Details
Plant Name: Haritaki
Botanical name: Terminalia chebula
Parts of the plants used: Fruits (Dry)
Name Of Haritaki In Different Languages
English: Indian walnut, Indian hog plum.
Malayalam: Kadukka.
Hindi: Harad.
Telugu: Karakkaya.
Tamil: Kadukkai.
Gujarati: Harade,Hardi,Harara.
Kannada: Arale,Alale.
Bengali: Haritaki.
Health Benefits Of Haritaki
The Ayurvedic verb Haritaki has the following health benefits:
- Prevents Diabetes
The presence of hypoglycemic properties in Haritaki helps to control the blood sugar levels of the body. It helps to reduce the breakdown of starch into glucose. So the regular usage of Haritaki powder effectively brings down the blood glucose levels and relieves various diabetic symptoms like frequent urination, excessive thirst, weight loss, etc.
- Improves brain functioning
Haritaki shows potent brain-boosting properties. The presence of powerful antioxidants and flavonoids in Haritaki improves the memory capacity, focus, concentration, calmness, alertness of a person. Due to its stimulant properties, it is used for neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson’s, Dementia. etc. It acts as a memory-boosting food and helps in reasoning, problem-solving, and other abilities related to the brain. The neuroprotective elements in the plant prevent loss of memory and relieve tension from the brain.
- Promotes Sexual health and stamina
Haritaki helps to promote the sexual health of both males and females. The Rasayana properties of Haritaki give energy throughout life. It also helps in reducing mental stress and anxiety and stimulates the hormones for increasing libido. It improves male and female fertility, treats several reproductive issues and increases potency, and stamina in men.
- Helps in Digestion
The presence of the appetizer and digestive properties of Haritaki improves Digestion. It also increases the absorption of nutrients from the food. Haritaki has the laxative property that can help in constipation.
- Helps in weight loss
Haritaki plays an important role in burning excess fat. It helps to remove toxins from the body and reduces sudden pangs. It reduces the quantity of bad cholesterol in the body, thereby improving metabolism and helping the body to lose weight faster. Regular use of Haritaki powder to a glass of warm water reduces the excess fat deposit and a well-toned slim body.
- Heals Wounds And Infections
Due to its anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and antifungal properties removing bacteria and germs from the body. It also treats wounds and improves healing. The bioactive compound present in this magical herb has been used to treat various skin problems like sores, ulcers, skin fungus, etc.
- Take care of Eyes
Haritaki is a powerful Ayurvedic herb that can cure eye problems including dry eyes, watery eyes, inflamed eyes, infection, and conjunctivitis and also improves vision disorders.
- Treats skin problems
Haritaki is full of powerful antioxidants and nutrients like Vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, iron, and copper. They play an important role in treating various skin and hair issues. It effectively removes free radicals from the body and reduces oxidative damage. Being a natural toner, it wipes out the toxins from the internal layers of the skin, promotes overall skin health, and treats various skin infections like acne, pimples, rashes, boils, etc.
- Improves hair health
Another benefit of Haritaki is its role in improving hair health. It treats scalp infections like dandruff, itching, and hair fall. It promotes hair growth by cleaning the hair follicles, removing dirt and impurities.
- Treats Respiratory Diseases
According to Ayurveda, Haritaki can help with respiratory problems. The anti-inflammatory, anti-biotic, and anti-asthmatic properties treat a variety of respiratory issues such as the common cold, cough, and flu, bronchitis, and asthma, among others. This herb improves the health of the lungs by consuming it daily.
- For Heart Health
The properties in Haritaki calm the mind, thereby relaxing the cardiac system, which is very beneficial for patients suffering from arrhythmias (heart beats with an irregular or abnormal rhythm)and palpitations. It also gives strength to the heart muscles, lowering cholesterol levels in the blood and preventing lipid build-up, which in turn reduces the risk of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, heart blocks, blood clots, etc.
- Improves Immunity
The collection of antioxidants and Vitamin C, in Haritaki, proves for improving the immune system, fighting microbes, and shielding the body against various infections. The presence of strong anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and antifungal properties, prevents infections. Thus it improves immunity and increases longevity due to its Rasayana (rejuvenating) property.
Haritaki has been widely used in Ayurveda to treat different diseases. It also prevents Diabetes, improves brain functioning, promotes sexual health and stamina, helps in digestion, loses weight, heals wounds and infections, takes care of eyes, skin, and hair, treats respiratory disorders, heart health, and improves immunity.
Different Forms Of Haritaki
In Ayurveda, Haritaki is available in different forms. They are as follow:
- Vyaghri Haritaki Avaleha
It is a semi-solid jam-like preparation of Haritaki.It balances Vata and Pitta disorders. It plays a key role in treating various respiratory ailments including cough, cold, asthma, bronchitis, and tuberculosis.
- Chitrak Haritaki
It is a mixture of several essential herbs that pacifies the Vata and Kapha abnormalities. It is also used for clearing nasal passages, phlegm deposits, and various respiratory ailments like cough, cold, asthma; it also soothes stomach fire and promotes digestion.
- Haritakyadi Guggulu
This formulation is available in tablet form and plays An important role in balancing the Vata Doshas. It is also used for the treatment of neuromuscular conditions, rheumatoid arthritis, backache, and constipation. It removes toxins from the body and improves overall health.
In Ayurvedic medicines, Haritaki is available in the form of Vyaghri Haritaki Avaleha, Chitrak Haritaki, and Haritakyadi Guggulu.
Dosage Of Haritaki
Haritaki can be consumed in the form of Avaleha, Churna, and tablets. General recommended dosage of Haritaki is:
Haritaki Avaleha
- The general recommendation for Adults is 5-10 gms once or twice a day before or after food.
- The general recommendation for children is 1-2 gms once or twice a day mixed in a glass of warm water or milk along with a teaspoon of honey or as suggested by your doctor.
- The general dosage for an adult is 5-10 gms once or twice a day after meals infused with milk. The general dosage for children is 1-2 gms once or twice a day after meals along with milk by the consultation of your Ayurvedic doctor.
- The general recommendation for adults is 375 mg – 1.5 g twice a day after food infused with warm milk or water.
- The general recommendation for children is 125 – 375 mg twice a day after food infused with warm milk or water.
Ayurvedic Classical Formulations Of Haritaki
The Ayurvedic classical formulations of Haritaki include:
- Abhayadi Modak.
- Abhayarista.
- Pathyadi Vati.
- Pathyadi Kadha.
- Vyaghri Haritaki Lehya.
- Agastya Haritaki Lehya.
- Gandharvaharitaki Churna.
Side Effects Of Haritaki
- Haritaki is generally safe when taken under medical prescription. But the consumption without consultation can result in reducing blood glucose levels, diarrhea, acute fever, dehydration, and other pitta disorders.
Precautions
- Haritaki should be avoided or taken under medical supervision during pregnancy breastfeeding.
Conclusion
All the information regarding Haritaki and its Medicinal properties and health benefits were collected from various Ayurvedic resources. Kindly get the advice of your Ayurvedic practitioner before self-medication.
