Rasa (Taste)
Pancharasa (Kashaya pradhan)
The primary taste perceived on the tongue.
Haritaki (Chebulic Myrobalan)
Haritaki tree is found all over India especially in forests of North India, attaining height of upto 90 ft.
Medicinal Plant
Haritaki (Chebulic Myrobalan)
Terminalia chebula Retz. · Combretaceae
Haritaki tree is found all over India especially in forests of North India, attaining height of upto 90 ft.
Scientific Name
Terminalia chebula Retz.
Family
Combretaceae
Hindi Name
Harad
Used Part
Phala (Fruit)
Botanical Description
About the Haritaki Plant
Morphology and field-identification notes as documented in our Dravyaguna library.
Haritaki tree is found all over India especially in forests of North India, attaining height of upto 90 ft. Leaves are 7 to 20cm long, glabrous, alternate, elliptic, acute, rounded or cordate at base and pubescent. It’s Inflorescence are spikes . Flowers are sessile, dull white or yellow.
Ayurvedic Properties
Rasa Panchaka — Classical Properties
The five-fold framework Ayurveda uses to describe a drug — Rasa, Guna, Vipaka, Veerya and its effect on the doshas.
Guna (Qualities)
Laghu, Ruksha
Physical and energetic attributes of the dravya.
Vipaka (Post-digestive Effect)
Madhura
Taste that emerges after complete digestion.
Dosha Karma (Action on Doshas)
Tridoshahara
Effect on Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas.
Veerya (Potency)
Ushna
Heating (ushna) or cooling (sheeta) energy.
Ayurvedic Actions (Karma)
Rasayana, Dipana, Pachana, Shothahara, Shwashara, Kasahara, Shulahara, Kushthaghna, Krimighna, Jwarahara, Hridya.
Modern Phytochemistry
Chemistry & Pharmacology
How modern science maps onto the classical understanding of this dravya.
Pharmacological Action
What the Science Says
Antimicrobial, Antifungal, Antispasmodic, Antibacterial, Purgative, Antihelminthic.
Phytoconstituents
Active Compounds
It contains upto 32% of Tannin (Hydrolysable) and on hydrolysis yield chebulic acid and d-galloyl glucose. Other constituents include chebulagic acid, chebulinic acid, gallic acid,Terchebin.
Therapeutic Usage
Clinical Applications of Haritaki
Classical Ayurvedic indications drawn directly from the Dravyaguna tradition — paired with the preparations recommended in shastra.
01
Haritaki taken with jaggery and sugar relieves Parinama shula (duodenal ulcer).
02
Regular usage of Haritaki with cow's urine cures Vatavyadhi (disorders of Vata).
03
Paste of Haritaki is anointed on the body, then taken bath, will check Atisweda (Excessive perspiration).
04
Haritaki powder taken with honey will check Chardi (vomiting).
05
Haritaki kept in Cow's urine then mixed with jaggery if taken, cures Arshas (piles).
Always consult a qualified Ayurvedic physician before using any herb therapeutically. Dose, anupana and Prakriti-specific suitability matter.
Yoga / Kalpana
Classical Formulations
Common Ayurvedic preparations where Haritaki is a key ingredient.
- Haritakyadi Kwatha, Haritakyadi Churna, Haritkyadi Pralepa, Agastya Haritaki, Dashmool Haritaki
Shastra Pramana
Classical Reference
हरीतक्यभया पथ्या कायस्था पूतनाऽमृता ।हैमवत्यव्यथा चापि चेतकी श्रेयसी शिवा ॥वयस्था विजया चापि जीवन्ती रोहिणीति च ॥भा.प्र. हरीतक्यादि वर्ग 6-7)