haritaki

© Sebastian Pole 2006

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

HARITAKI


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.


* 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.

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haritaki