WHAT IS HARITAKI?

Haritaki or Inknut(Terminalia chebula Retz) held high esteem in Ayurveda for its properties to prevent and cure diseases. It took the prime place among medicinal herbs in India since ancient times. It is also called the ‘King of Medicines’ and is always listed first in Ayurveda because of its extraordinary therapeutic benefits.

In India, Myrobalan is also called Haritaki. By breaking down it, hari means “that which steals” and taki means “that which cleans and enhances the glow of the skin. Haritaki is a fruit that can cure all diseases of the body and brings out lustrous skin.

In Ayurveda, seven varieties of Haritaki fruits have been described namely,

• Vijaya 
• Rohini 
• Putana 
• Amrita 
• Abhaya 
• Jivanti 
• Chetaki 

NATURE OF HARITAKI(Terminalia chebula)

Terminalia chebula is a medicinal tree that grows throughout the Middle East, India in the sub-Himalayan tract, China and Thailand.

The chebula tree grows up to 30-meters tall, with a trunk that measures approximately 1 meter in height when fully grown. The small nut-like fruits contain an elliptical-shaped seed covered by a fleshy and rigid pulp.

This fruit can be consumed dried as well as in the powder form.

USED IN TRIPHALA

Terminalia chebulais one of the main components of Triphala.

The combination of Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellerica, and Emblicaofficinalis can be found in Indian Triphala.

This plant is known as “Haritaki” in Ayurveda, where the small, green fruit of the Terminalia chebula tree is used as a medicine.

CLASSIFICATION

Botanical Name: Terminalia chebula Retz. &Willd. (Combretaceae)

Sanskrit Name:  Haritaki, Abhaya, Pathya

Vernacular Names: 

• Chebulicmyrobalan (English)
• Harda (Hindi)
• Analekai (Kannada)
• Kadukai (Malayalam)
• Kadukaai (Tamil)
• Kaduka (Telugu)

Part used;Fruit

Taste (Rasa):Astringent (Kashaya), sour (Amla), sweet (Madhura), pungent (Katu) and bitter (Tikta)

Property (Guna):Light (Laghu), dry (Ruksha)

Potency (Veerya):Sweet (Madhura)

Post digestive effect (Vipaka):Sweet (Madhura)Actions:Alleviates vitiation of all 3 doshas (Tridoshahara)

AYURVEDIC CONCEPT OF HARITAKI

In Ayurveda, Haritaki is considered a good balancing agent for all the doshas of the body especially Vata.

EFFECT ON TRIDOSHA

Haritaki (harade) helps to calm down three Dosha (energies) of the body.

• Because of its sweet, bitter and astringent taste, it balances Pitta.
• Its pungent, bitter and astringent tastes balance Kapha.
• Sour taste of Terminalia chebula balances Vata.

BENEFITS OF HARITAKI

Haritaki has a group of active compounds. In Ayurveda, Haritaki powder is used to treat blood and digestive disorders of the gastro-intestinal tract, it directly acts on the gastro-intestinal tract and reduces the passage of harmful toxins to the liver and kidneys and has been proven to be a wonderful all-natural alternative remedy for the following health conditions:

• Conjunctivitis
• Gout
• Anemia
• Haemorrhoids (Piles)
• Dysuria
• Urinary Stones
• Gastrointestinal Disorders
• High blood sugar
• High cholesterol level

HEALTH BENEFITS OF HARITAKI

Haritaki consists of ingredients that are recognized to have healing properties including anticancer, antibacterial, antidiabetic and antioxidant properties. Haritaki is considered to be a nutritious herb that contains essential vitamins, minerals and proteins.

The Health Benefits of Haritaki are as Mentioned Below:

HELPS WITH WEIGHT LOSS

Haritaki is a well-known herb in helping to shed off extra pounds and make the process of losing weight easier and natural with no side effects

GOOD ADAPTOGEN

This herb is considered a powerful & amazing adaptogenherbthat helps to get rid of stress in order to balance the body and enhances body strength as well.

LOWERS CHOLESTEROL LEVEL

Haritaki helps to lower the level of cholesterol & triglycerides, therefore, helps to prevent deadly diseases like heart attacks, heart strokes and cancer.

FOOD FOR THE BRAIN

The Super Brain results that come from regular haritaki usage are astounding.;

DECREASES STOMACH AILMENTS

Haritaki lowers acids and mucus of the stomach and helps to protect against gastric ulcers. It also helps to kill bacteria in the stomach.

CLEANSING AGENT FOR THE LIVER & KIDNEYS

Haritaki acts as a great cleansing agent for the liver and kidneys. The concentrations of Haritaki help to slow down the aging process and protect the liver and kidneys as well.

ACTS AS AN ANTI-BACTERIAL AND ANTI-FUNGAL AGENT

This herb is a great agent that kills several types of bacteria as well as fungal infections.

HELPS IN RESPIRATORY DISORDERS

Haritaki can help with respiratory disorders like asthma, coughs, bronchitis and other lung infections. Haritaki powder with some honey can be taken by people who suffer from cough.

PREVENTS COUGH AND COLD

Haritaki is an effective remedy for cough and cold. It also cures a sore throat

HELPFUL IN CONSTIPATION

Haritaki contains dietary fibers, which fights&nbsp constipation. During constipation, one should take haritaki in the form of powder with water.

LOWERS BLOOD SUGAR

It helps to prevent insulin resistance and thus helps to lower blood sugar. It is very useful for those patients who suffer fromdiabetes due to the low level of A1c

IMPROVES DIGESTION

This herb improves digestion by improving probiotic bacteria in our gut and also helps to digest food (antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins) easily.

HEALS MOUTH ULCERS

The powder of this herb can be used as a mouthwash, helping kills the bacterium that creates cavities as well as heals mouth ulcers.

SKIN BENEFITS OF HARITAKI

There are some skin benefits which offers by Haritaki, the king of medicines,:

REMOVES ACNE AND ULCER

Antibacterial properties of Haritaki are effective for treating acne and ulcers. Take the haritaki powder and add boiled water, make a paste and apply it on acne and ulcer spotted skin. Let it dry and then wash off, it works great for acne.

PREVENT HAIR LOSS AND DANDRUFF

Haritaki can be used in the form of oil for curbing hair fall.

FIGHT SKIN ALLERGIES

Haritaki is an effective herb in fighting with skin allergy. The paste made of haritaki herb is the best remedy for such problems. This paste is in light green color and can be made by taking a haritaki fruit and rubbing it on sandal stone with a small amount of boiled water. Take the paste and apply to the infected skin.

CREATES LUSTROUS HAIR

 Haritaki powder with oil like sesame oil, olive oil or almond oil and apply on the scalp with your fingertips or with cotton balls and wash it off. This oil creates lustrous and healthy hair.