Therapeutic uses of Haritaki

THERAPEUTIC USES OF HARITAKI: A SHORT REVIEW  

by Prof. Vaidya Vasant Patil https://www.linkedin.com/in/prof-vaidya-vasant-patil-b6125953/

The dried ripe fruit of T. chebula is an important Indian herb, used extensively in the indigenous system of medicine (Ayurvedic) for its homeostatic, antitussive, laxative, diuretic and cardiotonic activities (Barthakur and Arnold, 1991¹).

The herb is used as tonic, in hepatic and spleen enlargements and in skin diseases in Ayurvedic system of medicine (Chopra et al., 1956)². Its paste with water is found to be anti-inflammatory, analgesic and having purifying and healing capacity for wounds. These are used as astringent in hemorrhoids as well (Dastur, 1962)³. Its powder is a good astringent, dentrifice in loose gums, bleeding and ulceration in gums. The chebulic acid from Terminalia chebula fruit has shown antispasmodic action like that of Papaverina. It is good to increase the appetite, as digestive aid. Being a mild laxative, it is a mild herbal colon cleanser (Nadkarni, 1976)⁴. It promotes the receiving power of five senses (Dastur, 1962)⁵. Its decoction is used as gargle in chronic cough and sore throat. It is helpful in dysurea and retention of urine. It is useful in skin disorders with discharges like allergies and other erythematous disorders. It reduces the ill effects of the fat rich, creamy and oily food. Further it can supplement to cholesterol normalizing drugs (Sharma, 1995)⁶.

Terminalia is used in Ayurveda and Sidda for constipation, chronic diarrhoea, ulcer, gastroenteritis, asthma, cough, dyspnea, dyspepsia, hemorrhoids, candidiasis, parasites, malabsorption syndrome, hepatomegaly, renal calculi, urinary discharge, tumours, skin disease, memory loss, epilepsy, diabetes, cardiovasular disease, anorexia and wounds (Nadkarni, 1976)⁷.

Patients treated with paste of Haritaki showed a statistical significant symptomatic relief in fissures in the heel, burning sensation and dryness of feet after treatment.  It is concluded that paste of Haritaki is significantly beneficial in treatment of Padadari (Cracked feet).⁸

From my 16 years clinical experience I recommend the Haritaki for following conditions –

• Both type of hemorrhoids, constipation, flatulence in the form of Abhayarishta
• In vomiting, hiccough, nausea, breathlessness in the form of powder
• In obesity, hypercholestremia and hypothyroidism in the form of Gomutra Haritaki
• In case of indigestion, early morning 3gm haritaki and 3gm ginger is highly effective
• The powders of Haritaki along with Amalaki and Bibitaki in equal quantity taken with warm water cures constipation
• The powders of Haritaki along with Amalaki and Bibitaki in equal quantity taken with honey and cows ghee proves effective refractive errors, retina diseases, computer vision syndrome etc.

References

1. Barthakur, N.N. and A.P. Arnold, 1991. Nutritive value of the chebulic myrobalan Terminalia chebula) and its potential as a food source. Food Chem., 40: 213-219.
2. Chopra, R.N., S.L. Nayar and I.C. Chopra, 1956. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. CSIR, New Delhi, India.
3. Dastur, J.F., 1962. Medicinal Plants of India and Pakistan. D.B. Taraporevala Sons and Co. Pvt. Ltd., Bombay, pp: 162-163.
4. Nadkarni, K.M., 1976. Indian Material Medica. Popular Prakashan Pvt. Ltd., Bombay, pp: 1202-1211.
5. Dastur, J.F., 1962. Medicinal Plants of India and Pakistan. D.B. Taraporevala Sons and Co. Pvt. Ltd., Bombay, pp: 162-163.
6. Sharma, P.V., 1995. Dravya Guna Vigyana by Priya Vrita Sharma. Chaukhamba Bharati Acad., 2: 753-758.
7. Nadkarni, K.M., 1976. Indian Material Medica. Popular Prakashan Pvt. Ltd., Bombay, pp: 1202-1211.
8. R.H..S.S.Ediriweera, K.K.V.S. Peshala, K. M. S.P Perera, A.M.H.Y Perera. A Clinical Study on effect of paste of Haritaki (Terminalia Chebula Retz) in Padadari (Cracked Feet). J of Ayurveda and Hol Med (JAHM).2014;2(8):2-5. http://jahm.in/index.php/JAHM/article/view/220/pdf_85