Photo: J.M.Garg / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Haritaki हरीतकी
Terminalia chebula · Combretaceae
Also known as: Harad, Chebulic Myrobalan, Badi Haran, Badi Harad, Triphala, Haran
Part used: Fruit
Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) is the third fruit in Triphala and the one Ayurveda calls the king of medicines. It is used for constipation, digestion, worms, cough and as a Rasayana. Unusually it contains five of the six tastes — everything but salt — and is described as acting like a mother to the body.
| Rasa (taste) | Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent) |
|---|---|
| Guna (qualities) | Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry) |
| Virya (potency) | Ushna (Hot) |
| Vipaka | Katu (Pungent) |
| Dosha | Balances Kapha & Vata |
| Prabhava | Classical systemic action |
Key takeaways
- Botanical name: Terminalia chebula
- Part used: Fruit
- Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata
- Typical dose: Churna: 2–5 g, usually at night.
Haritaki in other languages
Introduction
Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) is called the "king of medicines" in Ayurveda and is the first of Triphala's three fruits. Revered as a Rasayana and a gentle regulator of the bowels, it is depicted in the hands of the Medicine Buddha and features in countless classical formulas.
Classification
Botanically of the Combretaceae family, Haritaki is described in the Bhavaprakash Nighantu Haritakyadi Varga at the very head of the materia medica. It carries five of the six tastes (all but salt), with Kashaya (astringent) dominant, an Ushna virya and Madhura vipaka.
Uses & benefits
Traditionally used to regulate the bowels and relieve constipation, kindle digestion, clear Ama, support the lungs and voice, and act as a broad Rasayana. It is prized for balancing Vata in particular and is a key ingredient of Triphala and Abhayarishta.
Haritaki for constipation
Its foremost use. Mildly laxative and tonic to the bowel at the same time, so it does not create the dependence a stimulant laxative does.
Haritaki for digestion
Deepana and Pachana, used for poor appetite, bloating and incomplete digestion.
Haritaki in Triphala
The moving member of the three fruits, supplying the downward action that Amalaki and Bibhitaki lack.
Haritaki as a Rasayana
Named in Charaka's Rasayana chapter and taken over long periods for tissue quality and longevity.
Haritaki for cough
Used in Kasa and hoarseness, the fruit sucked slowly or taken with honey.
Haritaki for worms
A Krimighna drug, expelling intestinal parasites.
Haritaki for the eyes
Described as Chakshushya, used internally and as an eye wash.
Haritaki for skin
Used in chronic skin disease on the classical principle that clearing the bowel clears the skin.
Haritaki for piles
Used in Arshas, softening the stool and reducing the straining that maintains the condition.
Haritaki with different anupanas
Classical practice varies the carrier by season and complaint — with rock salt in Vata, sugar in Pitta, honey in Kapha.
Dosage — how much to take
Churna: 2–5 g, usually at night. The classical anupana varies by season and purpose (with jaggery, ghee, rock salt or warm water). Use under guidance, and avoid in dehydration or pregnancy.
Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm with a qualified Vaidya.
Traditional uses — questions answered from the classical texts
Answers are drawn from the citations and properties recorded for this drug. No chapter-and-verse reference appears that the record does not carry.
Which classical texts describe Haritaki?
The citations held for Haritaki in this catalogue are: Sushruta Samhita (Rasayana & Anulomana); Bhavaprakasha Nighantu (Haritakyadi Varga).
What does the Sushruta Samhita record about Haritaki?
Widely cited across Chikitsa sections. Reference: Sushruta Samhita — Rasayana & Anulomana.
What does the Bhavaprakasha Nighantu record about Haritaki?
Listed first, with detailed properties. Reference: Bhavaprakasha Nighantu — Haritakyadi Varga.
What is Haritaki traditionally used for in Ayurveda?
Traditionally used to regulate the bowels and relieve constipation, kindle digestion, clear Ama, support the lungs and voice, and act as a broad Rasayana. It is prized for balancing Vata in particular and is a key ingredient of Triphala and Abhayarishta.
What are the Ayurvedic properties of Haritaki?
Rasa Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent), Guna Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry), Virya Ushna (Hot), Vipaka Katu (Pungent). Dosha action: Balances Kapha & Vata. Prabhava: Classical systemic action.
Why is Haritaki classified the way it is?
In dravya-guna a drug's dosha action follows from its taste, qualities, potency and post-digestive effect. Haritaki carries Ushna (Hot) virya and Katu (Pungent) vipaka, which together give the recorded action: Balances Kapha & Vata.
Which part of Haritaki is used medicinally?
The part used is Fruit.
How much Haritaki is taken, and how?
Churna: 2–5 g, usually at night. The classical anupana varies by season and purpose (with jaggery, ghee, rock salt or warm water). Use under guidance, and avoid in dehydration or pregnancy. Dosage varies with age, constitution and condition — confirm it with a qualified Vaidya.
When should Haritaki be avoided?
Generally safe in classical doses. Avoid in excess dryness, dehydration, or during pregnancy without guidance. Those who are very lean or depleted should use it moderately. Consult a physician for therapeutic use.
Where does Haritaki grow?
Haritaki is the fruit of a large deciduous tree native to South and Southeast Asia, common across the sub-Himalayan tracts and deciduous forests of India from Uttar Pradesh to the south.
Which classical formulations include Haritaki?
Triphala.
Classical references
- Bhavaprakash Nighantu — Haritakyadi Varga
Listed first, with detailed properties. - Charaka & Sushruta Samhita — Rasayana & Anulomana
Widely cited across Chikitsa sections.
Modern research
-
Effects of a standardized aqueous extract of Terminalia chebula fruit (AyuFlex) on joint mobility, comfort, and functional capacity in healthy overweight subjects: a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial
Lopez HL, Habowski SM, Sandrock JE, et al.. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2017)
An 84-day randomized placebo-controlled trial (n=105) reporting improvements in joint mobility and comfort with standardized Terminalia chebula (Haritaki) fruit extract.
View study doi:10.1186/s12906-017-1977-8 -
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study to evaluate analgesic activity of Terminalia chebula in healthy human volunteers using a mechanical pain model
(see source). Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine (2016)
A cross-over RCT in healthy volunteers evaluating the analgesic activity of Terminalia chebula against a mechanical pain model.
View study doi:10.4103/0970-9185.173365
Safety & precautions
Generally safe in classical doses. Avoid in excess dryness, dehydration, or during pregnancy without guidance. Those who are very lean or depleted should use it moderately. Consult a physician for therapeutic use.
Where it grows
Haritaki is the fruit of a large deciduous tree native to South and Southeast Asia, common across the sub-Himalayan tracts and deciduous forests of India from Uttar Pradesh to the south.
Frequently asked questions
What is Haritaki used for?
Haritaki is used for constipation, poor digestion, worms, cough, piles, chronic skin disease and eye complaints, and as a Rasayana taken over long periods. It is the principal fruit of Triphala and is called the king of medicines in the classical texts.
What is the dose of Haritaki?
Fruit powder 3–6 g per day, usually at night with warm water. As part of Triphala, 3–5 g at night. The classical texts vary the carrier — rock salt, sugar or honey — by constitution and season.
Is Haritaki safe for daily use?
It is one of the few laxative drugs classically approved for long-term use, because it tones the bowel rather than irritating it. Even so, take periodic breaks, and do not use any laxative to mask constipation that has an untreated cause.
Who should avoid Haritaki?
Avoid in pregnancy, in severe dehydration, in acute diarrhoea, and in extreme weakness or emaciation — the classical texts are explicit that a depleted patient should not be purged. Take advice if you are diabetic, as it affects blood sugar.
Is Haritaki the same as Harad?
Yes. Harad is the Hindi name and Haritaki the Sanskrit, both for Terminalia chebula. In English it is chebulic myrobalan or black myrobalan.
Why is Haritaki called the king of medicines?
Because it contains five of the six tastes, acts on all three doshas, and both cleanses and rejuvenates — a rare combination. Charaka compares it to a mother, on the grounds that it nourishes while it corrects.
Does Haritaki cause dependence like other laxatives?
It is not considered to, because it works by toning the bowel rather than by stimulating it into spasm. This is the classical distinction between Haritaki and drastic purgatives such as Danti, and it is why Triphala is taken long term.
Part of: Triphala
