Haritaki ~ Terminalia chebula

Haritaki/Hirda/Harad/Chebulic Myrobalan

Latin name: Terminalia chebula

Family: Combretaceae

Part used: fruit

Habitat: India

Main constituents: chebulagic, chebulinic acid, corilagin, tannins, fructose, amino acids, succinic acid, betasitosterol

Energetics: heating, sweet

Main herbal actions: blood purifier, heart and brain tonic, antibiotic, anti-tumor, antioxidant, inhibits the HIV virus, laxative, stomachic, alterative, adaptogen, hepatoprotective, antiviral, hypoglycemic, astringent

Minor herbal actions: promotes wisdom, intellect and eyesight, cardiotonic and longevity tonic, coagulant

Main medicinal uses: diarrhea and constipation, flatulence, vomiting, colic pain and hemorrhoids, memory loss, herpes simplex, digestive diseases, urinary diseases, diabetes, parasitic infections, heart disease, fever, part of the triphala formula in Ayurveda

Minor medicinal uses: skin diseases, epilepsy, headache, ulcers, ophthalmia, sore throat, dental caries, bleeding and ulcerated gums

Preparations: powder, chewed, paste, decoction- 1-2 grams per day (Khalsa)

Contraindications: none known

Toxicity: none known

Sources: http://www.downunderhealth.com/newsletters/may2002.html; www.nutraceutic.com/Products/Ayurveda; http://www.uncleharrys.com/infobase/product/neemleaf.php; http://www.vshiva.net/naturefacts/harad.htm; http://www.unaniherbalist.com/myrobalan_capsule.htm