HARITAKI

HARITAKI
Common name Chebulic myrobalan, Harde, Hara
Sanskrit Haritaki, Abhaya
Latin Terminalia chebula – Fructus (Combretaceae)

Haritaki is described as the ‘remover of diseases’. Hara is also the name of Lord Shiva, thus
reflecting the sacred nature and exalted position of the plant but it literally means ‘green’ like the
fruit. It is also ‘Abhaya’ or ‘fearless’ of any disease. It is said to have originated when a drop of
immortal nectar (amrita) fell from heaven to earth. It is considered to be the best herb for the
digestive system and lungs.

ENERGETICS
Rasa (taste) All but salty, mainly astringent, bitter
Virya (action) Heating
Vipaka (post-digestive effect) Sweet
Guna (quality) Light, dry
Dosha effect VPK=
Dhatu (tissue) All tissues
Srota (channel) Digestive, excretory, nervous, respiratory

CONSTITUENTS
Tannins – tannic acid up to 45%, gallic acid, chebulic acid
Mucilage
Anthraquinones - sennoside A
Triterpenoid glycosides - chebulosides, arjunin1

BIO-MEDICAL ACTION
Laxative, astringent, anthelmintic, nervine, expectorant, tonic

INDICATIONS
GIT Its sennosides treat constipation and the tannins treat diarrhoea; use a high dose (6g) for the
former and low dose (2g) for the latter. It is salutary in digestive upset or dysentery caused by
parasites or infection (Shigella spp),1 inflammation of mucus membranes, flatulence and
borborygmus. It increases the digestive fire and clears undigested residues (ama). As it descends
apana vayu it treats the root cause of hiccups and piles. Haritaki’s astringency and mucus
membrane healing effects can benefit prolapse, ulcers, intestinal permeability and ‘leaky gut
syndrome’.
Cholesterol It reduces lipid deposits in the blood and liver.2 Use with honey to help reduce
cholesterol.
Lungs Wet, kapha type coughs are cleared. Haritaki astringes all leakages from the body. It sends
accumulated vata downwards and helps to clear wheezing, weak voice and asthma.3
Eyes Used in all sorts of eye disorders – inflammation, conjunctivitis.4 Use as a wash.
Mucus membranes Gargle in sore throat. Swill for stomatitis, gingivitis and periodontal disease;
with cold water this encourages its astringent nature.

1
Chen and Chen, Williamson
1
2
Tillotson
3
Bhavaprakasha
4
Bhavaprakasha

© Sebastian Pole 2006

AYURVEDIC ACTION
Deepaniya Increases appetite
Rasayana Rejuvenative; especially to vata and the large intestine (purishavaha srotas)
Brimhana Nourishing
Yogavahi Catalyst enhancing the action of other herbs
Pachana Digestive
Grahi Absorbs fluids from the intestines (water decoction)
Lekhaniya Scrapes accumulations from the tissues and channels
Chakshushya Improves the eyesight
Anuloma Corrects the flow of vata downwards
Stanyashodhana Purifies breast milk
Rechana Purgative
Vibandha hara Alleviates constipation
Kasahara Anti-tussive
Medhya Improves intellect
Ayurvardhak Increases longevity
Arshoghna Anti-haemorrhoidal

COMBINATIONS
+ Psyllium, Hemp seed in vata constipation.
+ Kutki, Amalaki in pitta constipation.
+ Bibhitaki, Pippali in kapha constipation.
+ Cardamom, Fennel and Ajmoda for indigestion and bloating.
+ Vasaka, Anthrapachaka, Pippali in cough and asthma.

CONTRAINDICATIONS
Do not use during pregnancy due to its laxative and descending nature. Also not in excess high
pitta.

SAFETY
No drug herb interactions are known.

DOSAGE
3–9g/day in a decoction, 250mg–5g as powder, or 3–12ml/day of a 1:3 @ 25% tincture.

NOTES
* There are 7 types of Haritaki – vijaya, rohini, putana, amrita, abhaya, jivanti and cetaki – which
grow in different areas of India. Vijaya, growing in the Vindhaya Mountains, is a rounder fruit and is
said to be the best. Rohini grows in Northern India (Paithan), Putana grows in Southern Pakistan
(Sindhu), Amrita and Abhaya varieties grow in Bhagalpur district in Eastern India in Bihar,, Jivanti in
Saurashthra in Gujerat and Cetaki in the Himalayas.
• Haritaki is a very large tree growing throughout the deciduous forests of India and Sri Lanka
up to 2000m.
• Images of the Medicine Buddha show him holding Terminalia chebula. This represents the
respect and awe that Haritaki was held in for maintaining health and curing disease.
* Its ironic activity as laxative and astringent reveal the diverse actions of this remarkable herb. As
a decoction it is more astringent as the tannins are water soluble and as a tincture or powder it is
more laxative.
* Used unripe increases its laxative effect (balharitaki) but lessens its rejuvenative qualities.
* It has all flavours bar salty and it is a common feature for rejuvenative plants to possess a full
spectrum of tastes, e.g. Amalaki.

© Sebastian Pole 2006

* Its special action is to alleviate any excesses and to balance all 3 doshas: pitta due to its sweet,
bitter and astringent tastes, kapha due to its astringent, bitter and pungent tastes, and vata due to
its sour, sweet and pungent tastes.
* Use with Rock salt for kapha.
* Use with sugar for pitta.
* Use with ghee for vata (Bhavaprakasha).
* Using it with warm water promotes its anuloma or laxative effect.
* It is cooked with castor oil (1:4) to make Gandharva Haritaki, a demulcent purgative for
alleviating vata. Also combined with Amalaki and Bibhitaki to make Triphala.
* Its prabhava or unique action is to balance all 3 doshas. Its other prabhava is that while it is a
laxative it is also nourishing. Its sweet post-digestive quality nourishes shukra dhatu and enhances
immunity.

© Sebastian Pole 2006