Haritaki: The king of all medicines

Introduction

Haritaki botanically known as Terminalia chebula has been placed in high esteem among the various herbs because it can cure various disorders and offers a user various physical and mental health benefits. Therefore, in Ayurveda, it is considered the king of all medicines. In Ayurvedic classical texts, Haritaki has been mentioned to have Sarva Roga Prashamana (cures all diseases), Vyasthapana, Deepan, Pachana properties, etc. Haritaki is compared to a mother in Ayurvedic classical texts as it will never harm its user and cares just like a mother. Its seven varieties are mentioned in texts, and it is an important ingredient of the popular formulation Triphala. Different varieties of Haritaki exhibit different therapeutic effects. Recent research revealed that Haritaki consists of active ingredients like chebulagic acid, chebulinic acid, gallic acid, sorbitol, ethyl gallate, punicalagin terflavin A, Terchebin, etc due to which it exhibits antioxidant, hepato- protective, cardio-protective, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, hypolipidemic activity, etc.

Basonym of Haritaki

हरति मलान्‌, तकति हसति व्याधीन्‌ प्रत्यवज्ञया तज्जेत्रीत्वाच्चेति |

Haritaki evacuates Mala (impurity) and cures the diseases.

हरस्य भवने जाता, हरिता च स्वभावत: । हरते सर्व रोगाश्च तत: प्रोक्ता हरीतकी |

Haritaki is a very auspicious drug which cures all diseases.

Synonyms of Haritaki

  • According to habitat

हैमवती- हिमवति तदुपत्यकायां जाता |

Haritaki is commonly grown in the Himalayas.

  • According to properties and action

अभया- न भय व्याधीनां सेवनादस्या: रसायनत्वेन व्याधि प्रतिषेधकत्वात्‌ |

Consuming Haritaki rejuvenates the body and wards off fear of disease.

अमृता- अमृतवत्त्‌ फलदायिनी, रसायनत्वेन जराव्याधि प्रतिषेधात ।

Haritaki has rejuvenation quality and protects from old age disorders.

अमोघा- अव्यर्था ।

Haritaki is an efficacious drug and never fails in showing activity for the purpose it is used.

अव्यथा- व्यथा शूलं रोगो वा; न व्यथा सेवेनानस्या:, शूलहत्वाद्‌ रोगनाशकत्वाच्च ।

Vyatha means pain, Haritaki relieves pain.

कायस्था- काय: स्वस्थस्तिष्ठत्यनया, अन्तर्भावितव्यर्थात्‌ । कार्य तारुण्य स्थापयतीति, वय:स्थापनीत्यर्थ: ।

Haritaki promotes health and postpones old age.

चेतकी- चेतयति चित्त॑ प्रबोधयतीति ।

Haritaki sharpens the mind.

जीवन्ती- जीवंत पुरुषं यापयति, स्वास्थ्यकरत्वात्‌ । आयुष्करत्वाच्च ।

Haritaki brings back normalcy and promotes strength.

पथ्या- पणथिभ्य: स्त्रोतोभ्यो हिता; पथो अनपेता वा, मन: शरीरानुपघातिनीत्यर्थ: ||

Haritaki is very much conducive to the channels and never harms the mind and body.

पूतना- पूतं संशुद्ध करोतीति ।

Haritaki is cleansing the body.

रोहिणी- क्षतादीन रोहयतीति; रसायनत्वेन क्षीणान्‌ धातूनू रोहयतीति वा।

Haritaki has healing power and nourishes the tissue because of its rejuvenating qualities.

वयस्या- वयसे हिता वय: स्यापनीत्यर्थ: ।

Haritaki promotes longevity.

विजया- विशेषेण मूलोच्छेदनतो जयति रोगानिति ।

Haritaki overcomes the diseases from its root.

पञ्चभद्रिका- पञ्चभद्रा रसा अस्या: | 

Haritaki has five Rasa.

श्रेयसी – अतिप्रशस्ता ।

Haritaki is the best and most auspicious drug.

शिवा- कल्याण कर्तृत्वात्‌ ।

Haritaki always does good to the person who consumes it.

Regional names of Haritaki

  • Chebulic myrobalan (English)
  • Harad, Harre (Hindi)
  • Alalekayi (Kannada)
  • Kadukkai (Malayalam)
  • Hirada (Marathi)
  • Haritaki (Bengali)
  • Kandakai (Telegu)
  • Kandakai (Tamil)
  • Karebi (Uri.)
  • Darchoba (Pers.)
  • Halilaj (Arab)

Botanical Name

Terminalia chebula Retz.

Terminalia means proceeding from the extremity at the end. Chebula means the distorted form of the world of Kabul.

Family

Combretaceae (Haritaki Kula)

Ayurveda reference for Haritaki (Terminalia Chebula)

Scientific classification of Haritaki

Kingdom Plantae
Class  Dicotyledons 
Subclass Polypetalae
Series  Calyciflorae
Order  Myrtales
Family  Combretaceae
Genus Terminalia 
Species  chebula

Classification of Haritaki as per Charaka and Sushruta

  • Charaka: Kasahara Mahakshaya, Virechnopaga Mahakshaya, Arshoghana Mahakshaya, Vaya Sthapana Mahakshaya, Kusthghana Mahakshaya, Jwara Hara Mahakshaya, Prajasthapana Mahakshaya, Hikka Nigrehana Mahakshayaa.
  • Sushruta: Aamlkyadi Gana, MuskakadiGana, Vachadi Gana, Parushakadi Gana, Triphala, Mustadi Gana.

Haritaki’s description in Brihtrayi

Haritaki is one of the three Myrobalans mentioned and used collectively under the name of Triphala. Several varieties of Haritaki have been mentioned by Bhavamishra and some of which have been claimed to possess the miraculous property of causing purgation on only touch or sight of the drug or the drug plant. Unless all these varieties are traced and examined nothing definite can be said about them. Botanically one more species i. e. T. Citrina Roxb. found in Bengal, Assam, and Burma yields another kind of Haritaki. Some of the varieties of Bhavamishra may prove only to be varieties of T. chebula produced by changes in the environment.

Charaka  Shusruta  Vagbhata 

(Ashtang Hridya)

C. S. Su. 13/ 92 S. S. Su. 38/ 53, 55, 59 A. H. Su. 6/ 157
C. S. Su. 25/ 39 S. S. Su. 39/ 4 A. H. Chi. 1/ 100, 162
C. S. Vi. 7/ 22 S. S. Su. 44/ 2, 62, 64, 67, 68 A. H. Chi. 3/ 128
C. S. Vi. 8/ 144 S. S. Chi. 5/ 10 A. H. Chi. 8/ 33, 54
C. S. Chi. 1. 1/ 24, 27, 32, 35, 39, 44, 73, 74, 75 S. S. Chi. 6/ 13 A. H. Chi. 9/ 6
C. S. Chi. 3/ 306 S. S. Chi. 9/ 10, 23 A. H. Chi. 10/ 61
C. S. Chi. 5/ 157 S. S. Chi. 14/ 10 A. H. Chi. 11/ 33, 36
C. S. Chi. 6/ 26 S. S. Chi. 16/ 12 A. H. Chi. 14/ 34, 95
C. S. Chi. 12/ 20, 21 S. S. Chi. 18/ 9 A. H. Chi. 15/ 28, 30, 40
C. S. Chi. 13/ 151 S. S. Chi. 23/ 15 A. H. Chi. 17/ 3
C. S. Chi. 14/ 68 (2), 119, 138, 148 S. S. Chi. 25/ 43 A. H. Chi. 19/ 45
C. S. Chi. 15/ 142 S. S. Chi. 28/ 6 A. H. Ka. 2/ 58
C. S. Chi. 16/ 57, 67 S. S. Chi. 31/ 5 A. H. U. 2/ 68
C. S. Chi. 18/ 57, 114, 167 S. S. Chi. 40/ 61 A. H. U. 5/ 36
C. S. Chi. 26/ 21, 82, 231 S. S. Chi. 50/ 25 A. H. U. 6/ 39
C. S. Chi. 27/ 27, 29, 30 S. S. Chi. 51/ 32, 39 A. H. U. 22/ 55, 103
C. S. Ka. 1/ 16 S. S. Chi. 52/ 42 A. H. U. 30/ 25
C. S. Ka. 11/ 10 S. S. Chi. 55/ 48 A. H. U. 39/ 11, 147, 160
C. S. Chi. 12/ 15, 27

Haritaki’s description in Brihtrayi as synonym Abhaya

Charaka  Shusruta  Vagbhata 

(Ashtang Hridya)

C. S. Su. 1/ 81 S. S. Su. 38/ 26 A. H. Su. 10/ 36
C. S. Su. 2/ 28 S. S. Su. 44/ 9. 65 A. H. Su. 14/ 22
C. S. Su. 4/ 12, 13, 24, 30, 36, 39, 50 S. S. Su. 46/ 199 A. H. Su. 15/ 35
C. S. Su. 13/ 9 S. S. Chi. 4/ 4 A. H. Chi. 1/ 55
C. S. Su. 15/ 6 S. S. Chi. 9/ 7 A. H. Chi. 3/ 129, 130, 162
C. S. Su. 23/ 8, 16 S. S. Chi. 11/ 10 A. H. Chi. 4/ 52
C. S. Su. 26/ 73 S. S. Chi. 19/ 57 A. H. Chi. 6/ 31, 52
C. S. Chi. 1. 1/ 61 S. S. Chi. 20/ 21 A. H. Chi. 7/ 105
C. S. Chi. 1. 3/ 3, 40 S. S. Chi. 37/ 37 A. H. Chi. 8/ 64, 75, 151
C. S. Chi. 3/ 232, 297 S. S. Ka. 2/ 45 A. H. Chi. 9/ 14, 105, 106
C. S. Chi. 4/ 56 S. S. Ka. 3/ 17 A. H. Chi. 10/ 8, 11, 20, 27, 46
C. S. Chi. 5/ 78, 124, 129, 153, 155 S. S. Ka. 6/ 3 A. H. Chi. 12/ 7
C. S. Chi. 6/ 28 (2), 29 (2) S. S. U. 17/ 18 A. H. Chi. 14/ 61
C. S. Chi. 7/ 60, 83 S. S. U. 21/ 46 A. H. Chi. 15/ 88, 92
C. S. Chi. 9/ 55 S. S. U. 39/ 191, 195, 206, 302 A. H. Chi. 16/ 56
C. S. Chi. 12/ 26, 31, 48, 49, 51 S. S. U. 40/ 33, 35, 36 (2), 37, 42 A. H. Chi. 17/ 5, 31
C. S. Chi. 13/ 78, 79, 81 S. S. U. 41/ 48, 50 A. H. Chi. 19/ 31, 37
C. S. Chi. 14/ 66, 108 S. S. U. 42/ 128 A. H. Chi. 21, 31, 36
C. S. Chi. 15/ 87, 98, 100, 102, 152, 168 S. S. U. 44/ 16 A. H. Chi. 22, 12
C. S. Chi. 17/ 140 S. S. U. 51/ 16, 17, 26 A. H. Chi. Ka. 4/ 11
C. S. Chi. 18/ 58, 59, 111, 119, 121, 162, 182 S. S. U. 52/ 13, 30, 44 A. H. U. 1/ 45
C. S. Chi. 19/ 23, 111 S. S. U. 54/ 31 A. H. U. 9/ 25
C. S. Chi. 20/ 20, 28 S. S. U. 57/ 9 A. H. U. 13/ 23, 69
C. S. Chi. 21/ 75, 91 S. S. U. 58/ 36, 37 A. H. U. 16/ 7, 53
C. S. Chi. 26/ 20, 59, 83, 96, 189 S. S. U. 62/ 31 A. H. U. 25/ 58
C. S. Chi. 29/ 156 S. S. U. 65/ 9 A. H. U. 30/ 12, 27
C. S. Chi. 30/ 251, 252, 274 A. H. U. 35/ 21
C. S. Ka. 7/ 20, 29, 45 A. H. U. 39/ 24, 161
C. S. Ka. 9/ 6 A. H. U. 40/ 48
C. S. Si. 9/ 25

Haritaki’s description in Brihtrayi as Amrita

Charaka  Shusruta  Vagbhata 

(Ashtang Hridya)

C. S. Su. 3/ 9 S. S. Su. 12/ 23 A. H. Su. 6/ 75
C. S. Su. 4/ 50 S. S. Su. 36/ 24 A. H. Su. 7/ 20
C. S. Su. 25/ 39 S. S. Chi. 2/ 39 A. H. Su. 10/ 35
C. S. Chi. 1- 1- 56, 61 S. S. Chi. 9/ 8 A. H. Su. 15/ 12, 17
C. S. Chi. 3/ 201, 342 S. S. Chi. 18/ 5, 45 A. H. Su. 30/ 51
C. S. Chi. 6/ 29 S. S. Chi. 19/ 57 A. H. Chi. 1/ 50, 51, 61, 64, 139
C. S. Chi. 23/ 69 S. S. Chi. 38/ 59, 70, 105 A. H. Chi. 3/ 58, 64, 133
C. S. Chi. 26/ 241, 279 S. S. Ka. 1/ 54 A. H. Chi. 4/ 22, 24
C. S. Chi. 28/ 170 S. S. Ka. 2/ 45 A. H. Chi. 5/ 61
C. S. Chi. 29/ 72, 83 (for Haritaki) S. S. Ka. 7/ 29, 33 A. H. Chi. 8/ 49
C. S. Chi. 30/ 264, 276 S. S. U. 41/ 38 A. H. Chi. 12/ 8
C. S. Si. 3/ 59 S. S. U. 52/ 42 A. H. Chi. 13/ 4
C. S. Si. 4/ 17 S. S. U. 57/ 11 A. H. Chi. 14/ 14
C. S. Si. 9/ 92 A. H. Chi. 17/ 40
A. H. Chi. 19/ 2, 9, 18, 67
A. H. Chi. 21/ 58
A. H. Chi. 22/ 10
A. H. Ka. 4/ 37
A. H. Ka. 5/ 19
A. H. U. 1/ 44, 46
A. H. U. 2/ 13, 25
A. H. U. 13/ 12, 68
A. H. U. 22/ 67, 104
A. H. U. 28/ 38
A. H. U. 32/ 9
A. H. U. 35/ 21, 57
A. H. U. 38/ 26
A. H. U. 39/ 60, 159

Haritaki’s description in Brihtrayi as Pathya

Charaka  Shusruta  Vagbhata 

(Ashtang Hridya)

C. S. Chi. 5/ 105, 123 S. S. Su. 36/ 6 A. H. Su. 8/ 42
C. S. Chi. 8/ 100 S. S. Su. 44/ 20, 52 A. H. Su. 10/ 31
C. S. Chi. 10/ 33 S. S. Chi. 2/ 74, 82 A. H. Su. 16/ 34, 44
C. S. Chi. 14/ 154 S. S. Chi. 5/ 21, 28 A. H. Chi. 1/ 62, 154
C. S. Chi. 15/ 98, 102, 121 S. S. Chi. 6/ 15 A. H. Chi. 3/ 50, 53, 61, 136, 174
C. S. Chi. 16/ 50, 98 S. S. Chi. 9/ 24, 44, 47 A. H. Chi. 4/ 29, 41
C. S. Chi. 18/ 118, 119, 126 S. S. Chi. 12/ 5 A. H. Chi. 5/ 44
C. S. Chi. 21/ 124 S. S. Chi. 14/ 10 A. H. Chi. 6/ 17, 28, 29, 34
C. S. Chi. 26/ 86, 97, 188, 216, 283 S. S. Chi. 25/ 28 A. H. Chi. 7/ 107
C. S. Chi. 30/ 84 S. S. Ka. 1/ 49 A. H. Chi. 8/ 33, 55, 58, 59, 154, 159
C. S. Ka. 7/ 15, 49 S. S. U. 9/ 14 A. H. Chi. 9/ 7
C. S. Si. 3/ 56 S. S. U. 10/ 12 A. H. Chi. 10/ 12
C. S. Si. 7/ 18 S. S. U. 11/ 7 A. H. Chi. 12/ 20
C. S. Si. 9/ 23 S. S. U. 16/ 8 A. H. Chi. 14/ 37, 54, 65, 92
S. S. U. 17/ 9 A. H. Chi. 15/ 44
S. S. U. 18/ 96, 105 A. H. Chi. 16/ 7, 10, 40
S. S. U. 40/ 31 A. H. Chi. 17/ 14
S. S. U. 42/ 48, 50, 69, 71, 94, 120 A. H. Chi. 19/ 13, 47
S. S. U. 44/ 23 A. H. Chi. 21/ 49
S. S. U. 45/ 33 A. H. Ka. 2/ 58
S. S. U. 46/ 17 A. H. Ka. 5/ 17
S. S. U. 51/ 28 A. H. U. 1/ 9, 46, 49
S. S. U. 52/ 15 A. H. U. 13/ 19, 29
S. S. U. 55/ 45 A. H. U. 16/ 32
S. S. U. 56/ 14 A. H. U. 22/ 102
S. S. U. 58/ 63 A. H. U. 28/ 38
S. S. U. 61/ 28 A. H. U. 34/ 55
A. H. U. 37/ 34, 38
A. H. U. 39/ 15, 60, 107, 146

Haritaki’s description in Brihtrayi as synonym Pranada

Vagbhata (Ashtanga Hridya): A. H. Chi. 1/ 153, A. H. Chi. 9/ 5, 104, A. H. Chi. 13/ 17

Haritaki’s description in Brihtrayi as synonym Rohini

Rohini has been accepted as a synonym of Katuka, Katutumbi, a variety of Haritaki, and Katphala but there is no indication of the use of Mamsa Rohini which is popularly known as Rohina in tribal areas and many parts of the country. This has been identified with Soymida febrifuga A. Juss. Katuka has been used in the texts under the names of Katurohini, Tiktarohini, and Katavi, etc., and where the use of Rohini Phala (fruit) and bark has been indicated the use of Katuka seems to be overruled. Thus, the use of Soymida bark may be tried in some places, especially where the wound-healing properties have been emphasized.

Charaka Samhita: C. S. Su. 4/ 7, 48 (Ashoka Rohini), C. S. Chi. 3/ 257, C. S. Chi. 7/ 99, 122, C. S. Chi. 30/ 258, C. S. Si. 11/ 24

Sushruta Samhita: S. S. Su. 38/ 48, S. S. Su. 42/ 18, S. S. Chi. 1/ 94, S. S. Chi. 18/ 5, S. S. Ka. 8/ 50, S. S. U. 34/ 5, S. S. U. 39/ 210

Vagbhata (Ashtanga Hridya): A. H. Chi. 21/ 59, A. H. Ka. 4/ 37, A. H. U. 2/ 55, A. H. U. 5/ 20, A. H. U. 9/ 32

Haritaki’s description in Brihtrayi as an ingredient of Triphala

Charaka  Shusruta  Vagbhata 

(Ashtang Hridya)

C. S. Su. 2/ 8 S. S. Su. 15/ 34 A. H. Su. 14/ 22
C. S. Su. 13/ 65, 78, 92, 95 S. S. Su. 27/ 21 A. H. Su. 15/ 2, 40
C. S. Su. 21/ 21 S. S. Su. 36/ 20, 27, 29 A. H. Su. 16/ 34, 44
C. S. Su. 23/ 9, 11, 16, 17, 18 S. S. Su. 38/ 19, 42, 55 A. H. Su. 21/ 18
C. S. Su. 24/ 55 S. S. Su. 42/ 18 A. H. Chi. 1/ 49, 64, 66, 68, 69, 89, 94, 99, 101, 154
C. S. Vi. 7/ 23 S. S. Su. 44/ 6, 23, 24, 27, 36, 71, 76, 87 A. H. Chi. 2/ 10
C. S. Sa. 8/ 54 S. S. Su. 46/ 432 A. H. Chi. 3/ 159, 172
C. S. Chi. 1. 3/ 14, 40- 46 S. S. Chi. 1/ 85 A. H. Chi. 5/ 28
C. S. Chi. 1. 4/ 15 S. S. Chi. 2/ 40 A. H. Chi. 7/ 104
C. S. Chi. 3/ 201, 204, 206, 209, 221, 231, 298, 302 S. S. Chi. 4/ 27 A. H. Chi. 8/ 25
C. S. Chi. 6/ 21, 25, 27, 39, 40, 45 S. S. Chi. 5/ 8, 10, 13, 34, 42 A. H. Chi. 9/ 15, 26
C. S. Chi. 7/ 43, 55, 61, 64, 67, 73, 76, 80, 81, 90, 96, 99, 135, 139, 143, 152 S. S. Chi. 7/ 26 A. H. Chi. 11/ 37
C. S. Chi. 8/ 99 S. S. Chi. 8/ 43, 48 A. H. Chi. 12/ 6, 26
C. S. Chi. 9/ 41, 60, 75 S. S. Chi. 9/ 8, 9, 29, 34, 48, 55 A. H. Chi. 13/ 11, 16
C. S. Chi. 10/ 17, 41, 46 S. S. Chi. 10/ 6, 11, 12, 14 A. H. Chi. 14/ 21, 24, 55
C. S. Chi. 12/ 20, 33, 38, 40, 41, 47, 70 S. S. Chi. 11/ 7, 8 A. H. Chi. 15/ 10, 15, 22, 23, 60, 70, 105
C. S. Chi. 13/ 114, 118, 124, 132, 134, 148, 157, 162 S. S. Chi. 12/ 11 A. H. Chi. 16/ 7, 13, 14, 21, 23, 36, 43
C. S. Chi. 14/ 46, 54, 667, 68, 145 S. S. Chi. 14/ 6, 10 A. H. Chi. 17/ 26
C. S. Chi. 15/ 86, 117, 189 S. S. Chi. 17/ 22, 43 A. H. Chi. 18/ 3, 7, 14, 29
C. S. Chi. 16/ 52, 59, 62, 64, 69, 72, 77, 79, 86, 93, 96, 98, 101, 105, 118 S. S. Chi. 18/ 40, 55 A. H. Chi. 19/ 8, 19, 28, 33, 44, 50, 59
C. S. Chi. 18/ 38, 157, 172, 173, 175 S. S. Chi. 19/ 43, 47, 69 A. H. Chi. 21/ 50
C. S. Chi. 20/ 36 S. S. Chi. 20/ 57, 58 A. H. Chi. 22/ 10, 15, 16
C. S. Chi. 21/ 59, 65, 87, 90, 97, 129 S. S. Chi. 21/ 6 A. H. Ka. 1/ 11
C. S. Chi. 25/ 83, 89, 109, 114 S. S. Chi. 22/ 9, 11, 12, 25 A. H. Ka. 2/ 17
C. S. Chi. 26/ 28, 64, 86, 166, 194, 197, 203, 207, 237, 239, 240, 252, 267, 278 S. S. Chi. 23/ 15 A. H. Ka. 4/ 1, 34
C. S. Chi. 27/ 37 S. S. Chi. 25/ 30, 33 A. H. U. 2/ 14, 72
C. S. Chi. 28/ 128 S. S. Chi. 37/ 33 A. H. U. 5/ 19, 20, 39, 46
C. S. Chi. 29/ 84, 85, 152 S. S. Chi. 38/ 24, 46, 50, 63, 81 A. H. U. 7/ 19, 31
C. S. Chi. 30/ 51, 56, 82, 97, 120, 148, 251, 270, 276 S. S. Ka. 5/ 63, 68 A. H. U. 9/ 27
C. S. Ka. 7/ 12, 35, 36, 39, 52, 59, 61, 63 S. S. Ka. 6/ 8 A. H. U. 11/ 7, 25, 43
C. S. Ka. 9/ 11 S. S. Ka. 7/ 23, 37 A. H. U. 13/ 3, 10, 11, 14, 18, 50, 63, 70, 71, 87, 89
C. S. Ka. 10/ 11, 12 S. S. Sa. 10/ 45 A. H. U. 16/ 17, 23, 24, 54, 63
C. S. Si. 3/ 12, 57, 60 S. S. U. 9/ 9 A. H. U. 20/ 12
C. S. Si. 4/ 17 S. S. U. 10/ 14 A. H. U. 22/ 9, 28, 38, 74, 81, 92, 97, 104
C. S. Si. 7/ 27 S. S. U. 11/ 6, 7 A. H. U. 24/ 42, 50
C. S. Si. 8/ 8 S. S. U. 12/ 50 A. H. U. 28/ 33, 37, 40
C. S. Si. 10/ 22, 24 S. S. U. 14/ 9 A. H. U. 34/ 3, 6, 10, 28, 33, 55, 63
C. S. Si. 11/ 25 S. S. U. 17/ 5, 20, 21, 31, 41, 44, 48, 49 A. H. U. 36/ 84
C. S. Si. 12/ 53 S. S. U. 18/ 88, 100 A. H. U. 37/ 77
S. S. U. 19/ 13 A. H. U. 38/ 23
S. S. U. 24/ 29 A. H. U. 39/ 42, 46, 104, 137, 152, 153, 165
S. S. U. 39/ 189, 193, 198, 203, 208, 213, 217, 222, 225, 237, 241, 246, 296, 300 A. H. U. 40/ 50, 56
S. S. U. 40/ 129
S. S. U. 42/ 49, 70
S. S. U. 43/ 18
S. S. U. 44/ 15, 17, 20, 28
S. S. U. 46/ 24
S. S. U. 51/ 18
S. S. U. 52/ 14, 38
S. S. U. 54/ 30
S. S. U. 55/ 50
S. S. U. 57/ 13
S. S. U. 61/ 34
S. S. U. 62/ 22, 27

Haritaki’s description in Brihtrayi as Amrita Dvaya

By Amrita- Dvaya (two Amritas), Guduci and Haritaki are understood. One of the two Amirtas is undoubtedly Guduci and the other is Haritaki as is clear by comparing identical preparations (Yogas ) such as Chyavanaprasu Yogas in C. S., A. H., and also C. S. Ci. 29. 33 and A. H. Ci. 22. 12.

Sushruta Samhita: S. S. Chi. 37/ 20

Vagbhata: A. H. U. 39/ 34

Haritaki’s description in Brihtrayi as Avyatha

Charaka Samhita: C. S. Su. 4/ 49, C. S. Sa. 8/ 29, 89

Vataja and Kaphaja Vyadhi (Disorders of Vata and Kapha): Haritaki is specifically efficacious in disorders of Vata and Kapha. (Ashtanga Hridya Uttara Tantra. 40/ 48)

Haritaki’s description in Brihtrayi as Trivarga

Sushruta Samhita: S. S. Chi. 2/ 73, S. S. Chi. 24/ 7, s. s. u. 41/ 45, S. S. U. 56/ 15

Haritaki’s description in Brihtrayi as synonym Vyastha

This is interpreted differently to mean Amalaki, Guduchi, Brahmi, and Haritaki at different places by the commentators.

Charaka Samhita: C. S. Su. 4/ 48, C. S. Vi. 8/ 158, C. S. Sa. 8/ 93, C. S. Chi. 9/ 52, 63, C. S. Chi. 10/ 25, 46, C. S. Chi. 17/ 139, C. S. Chi. 26/ 82

Sushruta Samhita: S. S. U. 32/ 4, S. S. U. 36/ 6, S. S. U. 60/ 46, 48

Haritaki’s description in Brihtrayi as synonym Vijaya

Charaka Samhita: C. S. Chi. 25/ 46

Sushruta Samhita: S. S. U. 24/ 21, S. S. U. 39/ 194

Vagbhata (Ashtanga Hridya): A. H. Chi. 3/ 167, A. H. Chi. 8/ 23, 70, A H. Chi. 14/ 31, 36, 99, A. H. Chi. 17/ 2, A. H. U. 39/ 16

Haritaki’s description in Brihtrayi as Shiva

Charaka Samhita: C. S. Su. 4/ 49, C. S. Sa. 8/ 29, 89

Vagbhata (Ashtanga Hridya): A. H. U. 39/ 169

Historical background of Haritaki

Among the earliest references, Panini described it for the management of dysuria/ anuria and constipation (Mutra- Purisa Nirodha) – (Pa. Ga. 4/ 4/ 53). Haritaki is one of the most important as well as commonest herbs used by folk, household, and traditional medicine. Its fruit rind is used in medicine and is one of the ingredients in Triphala (three myrobalans). It is mainly indicated for constipation, respiratory problems, certain skin disorders, eye diseases, etc. Caraka highlighted its Rasayana properties in Chikitsa Sthana. He specifically stated Haritaki as the best among the herbs to be used regularly. Shiv Dutta described the Haritaki plant by making similarities with Vasa leaves. 

A controversial study of Haritaki

Though there is no controversy in the identity of its botanical source (T. chebula). In South India, Haritaki has been adulterated with T. pallida while in Bengal and Assam T. citrina Roxb. aother variety of Haritaki  is being used. 

External morphology of Haritaki (Terminalia chebula)

  • Habit: Haritaki is a large deciduous or moderate size tree, attaining 25- 30 meters in height. 
  • Leaves: Leaf-buds branchlets and youngest leaves with soft, shining, generally rust-colored hairs. Leaves of Haritaki are 7- 20 cm. by 4- 8 cm., glabrous or nearly so when mature, not clustered, distant, alternate or sub-opposite, elliptic-oblong, acute, rounded or cordate at base, Penni nerved, secondary nerves of 6-8 pairs, arching, prominent. Petioles of leaves of Haritaki are 2- 5 cm. long, pubescent, usually with glands near the top. 
  • Flowers: Flowers of Haritaki are all hermaphrodite, 4 mm, across sessile, dull- white or yellow, with an offensive small. Spikes are sometimes simple, usually in short panicles, terminal, and in the axils of the uppermost leaves; bracts exceeding the flowers, subulate or lanceolate, hairy, conspicuous among the buds but soon deciduous. Calyx of Haritaki is campanulate, 3 mm. long, and flat at the base. The calyx is glabrous outside, and hairy within. It has 5 short teeth, sometimes obscure.  Drupe pendulous, 2- 4 cm. long, ellipsoid or obovoid from a broad base, glabrous, more or less, 5-ribbed, when dry yellowish green; acute oblong, bony, very thick, obscurely angled.
  • Bark: The bark of Haritaki is 6 mm. thick, and dark brown with many shallow vertical cracks. Wood is very hard, brownish grey with a greenish or yellowish ring, with an irregular, small dark purple heartwood, close-grained.
  • Fruit: The mature myrobalan is ovoid, from 2.5 to 3.75 cm. long, sometimes tapering towards the lower extremity obscurely 5-ribbed, furrowed longitudinally covered with an astringent pulp enclosing a large rough, bony one-called endocarp. The unripe fruit is shriveled black, ovoid, brittle bodies from 8 mm. to 15 mm, in length having a shining fracture and an astringent taste. The rudimentary of the nut can be distinguished through careful examination,

Flowering and fruiting time

Rainy to the summer season

Distribution of Haritaki

It is found throughout the greater part of India, central and Southern India, Burma, and Ceylon, up to 5,000 ft. in the outer Himalayas and up to 6,000 ft. in Travancore. It occurs particularly in Northern India, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and other regions in the country.

Bhava Mishra has given habitat for individual varieties of Haritaki:

Type  Distribution 
Vijaya Vindhya mountain
Rohini Himalayan Region
Putna Sindhu region
Amrita Found everywhere
Abhaya Campa region
Jivanti Campa region
Chetaki Sourashtra region

Varieties, Characters, and Utilities of Haritaki

Bheda (type) Lakshana (Characters) Paryoga (Utilities)
Vijaya Alabu Vritta (oval) Sarva Roga (all diseases)
Rohini Vritta (round) Vrna Ropaka (wound healing)
Putna Asthimati Sukshma (small but with large seed) Pralepnartha (for external application)
Amrita Mansala (bulky) Shodhanrtha (for purification)
Abhaya Panch Rekha (five lines on it) Akshi Roga (eye disease)
Jivanti Swarna Varna (yellow colored) Sarva Roga Hara (useful in all diseases)
Chetaki Tri Rekha (three lines over it) Churnarth (for preparing powder)

The Chetaki variety of Haritaki is of two types, Shukla and Krishna. Shukla is six Angula long and Krishna variety is one Angula long.

Bhava Parkasha Nighantu has mentioned varieties of Haritaki as follows:

Varieties  Character
Vijaya Victorious
Rohini Regenerating and healing
Putna Scantifying
Amrita Nector like
Abhaya Conferring (fearlessness from disease)
Jivanti Life-giving
Chetaki Animating and stimulating

Kaiydeva Nighantu has mentioned three types of Haritaki:

  • Niraja
  • Vanaja
  • Parvatiya

Market varieties of Haritaki

  • Small- stone less
  • Yellow- Having stones but immature
  • Big- Fully matured

Various species

  • Terminalia citrina
  • Terminalia angustifolia
  • Terminalia gangetica
  • Terminalia tomentella

The useful part of Haritaki

Fruits

Two types of fruits are available in the trade. Large-sized fruit and small-sized fruit. Large-sized fruits consist of semi-mature fruits which are up to 8 cm long and 2.5 cm in diameter at the thickest part. These are oblong, ovoid, or club-shaped, with a longitudinally wrinkled surface of greenish yellow or golden-brown color, having five ribs running from the apex to the base. The fruit contains a single stony seed or light-yellow color. The small-sized variety of young immature fruits is up to 2.5 cm long and 8 mm broad at the thickest part. Ovoid or often dorsally compressed with a longitudinally wrinkled surface and dark brown to black color. It doesn’t have any odor and has an astringent taste.

Important phytoconstituent of Haritaki

Chebulic myrobalan is an important source for Tannin. It contains up to 32% of Tannin (Hydrolysable) and on hydrolysis yields chebulic acid and d-galloyl glucose. Other constituents include chebulagic acid, chebulinic acid, gallic acid, sorbitol, ethyl gallate, punicalagin terflavin A, and Terchebin.

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Recent research on Terminalia chebula

  • Chebulic acid was selected, as tannins from Terminalia chebula are used as antidiabetic, reno-protective, antioxidant, hypotensive, and an a-glucosidase inhibitor. Objective: The study evaluated the effect of chebulic acid on ischemia reperfusion-induced biochemical alteration in diabetic rats. The statistical data indicated that chebulic acid at both doses (25 and 50 mg/kg) improves biochemical alterations caused by renal ischemia in diabetic rats. Sifawat N, Gupta VB. Chebulic acid attenuates ischemia reperfusion-induced biochemical alteration in diabetic rats. Pharm Biol. 2012 Sep 10.
  • The present study has evaluated the healing effects of an extract of dried fruit pulp of Terminalia chebula (TCE) on acetic acid (AA)-induced colitis in rats. TCE indicated the presence of active principles with proven antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and free radical scavenging and healing properties. Thus, TCE seemed to be safe and effective in healing experimental colitis. Gautam MK, Goel S, Ghatule RR, Singh A, Nath G, Goel RK. Curative effect of Terminalia chebula extract on acetic acid-induced experimental colitis: role of antioxidants, free radical and acute inflammatory marker. Inflammatory -pharmacology. 2012 Sep 7.
  • In the present study, we firstly compared rat intestinal a-glucosidase inhibitory activity by different ethanol-aqueous extractions from the dried fruits of Terminalia chebula Retz. The results presented here suggest that chebulagic acid from T. chebula can be used to control blood glucose and manage type 2 diabetes, although clinical trials are needed. Huang YN, Zhao DD, Gao B, Zhong K, Zhu RX, Zhang Y, Xie WJ, Jia LR, Gao H. Anti-Hyperglycemic Effect of Chebulagic Acid from the Fruits of Terminalia chebula Retz. Int J Mal Sci. 2012; 13 (5): 6320- 33. Epub 2012 May 22.
  • Terminalia chebula fruit extracts were prepared sequentially with hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol, and methanol-water (70:30) and tested for their a-glucosidase inhibitory and antioxidant potential. The results indicated the possibility of using the extract as a nutraceutical health supplement in the management of type 2 diabetes. Sasidharan I, Sundaresan A, Nisha VM, Kirishna MS, Raghu KG, Jayamurthy P. Inhibitory effect of Terminalia chebula Retz. fruit extracts on digestive enzymes related to diabetes and oxidative stress. J Enzyme inhibitory Med Chem, 2012 Aug; 27 (4): 578- 86. Epub 2012 Apr 18.
  • The objective of this study is to explore the optimal extraction and purification technology (OPT) of tannins while studying the use of this drug in the treatment of a cutaneous wound rat as well as its antibacterial effects. The results suggest that tannin extracts from dried immature fruits of Terminalia chebula Fructus Retz can promote cutaneous wound healing in rats, probably resulting from a powerful anti-bacterial and angiogenic activity of the extracts. Li K, Diao Y, Zhang H, WangS, Zhang Z, Yu B, Huang S, Yang H. Tannin extracts from immature fruits of Terminalia chebula Fructus Retz. promote cutaneous wound healing in rats. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2011 Oct 7; 11: 86.
  • Study of in vitro antibacterial activity of extracts from the plants of I. chebula. E. alba and O. sanctum were carried out by the disk diffusion technique. All showed such activity against human pathogenic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The activity against Salmonella organisms was shown only by T chebula; against Shigella organisms by T. chebula and E. alba, but not by O. sanctum. The widest spectrum of antibacterial activity was shown by T. chebula. It was also the most potent (Sujata & Kulkarni, 1989).
  • Various extracts prepared from the powdered fruits have a wide antibacterial and antifungal spectrum (Inamdar et al. 1959).
  • It also inhibits the growth of E. coli, the most common organism responsible for urinary tract infection (Singh R.H. et al: 1974, Meera et al., 1999).
  • The oil in the kernel increased the motility of the GIT of the mouse. The action was comparable with castor oil. The oil by itself is non-irritant but releases an irritant principle when incubated with lipase (Miglani et al., 1971).
  • LD50 of chebulin was 550 mg/kg in mice. IT exhibited antispasmodic action on smooth muscle similar to that of papaverine (J.Sci.Ind. as. 1962, 21C. 345)
  • Ether extract showed higher antioxidant activity than BHA and BHT. Acid esters present in the phenolic fraction of extract were found most effective (Chem. Abstr. 1993, 119, 269367c.)
  • T. chebula fruit extracts inhibit ATPase activity in the cardiac muscle of frogs in a dose-dependent manner (Azeem et al., 1990 & 1992).
  • Various extracts prepared from the fruit rind of T. chebula have shown cardiotonic activity when tested on normal as well as hypodynamic isolated frog hearts. The extracts increased the force of contraction and cardiac output without altering the heart rate. (Reddy et al., 1990).
  • 46 children with diarrhea were given T. chebula and T. vulgare decoction. 57.17% of children were cured within 3 days of treatment (Sharma et al., 1984). 
  • T. chebula is found to possess hypoglycemic activity on glucose-induced hyperglycemia in rats (Tripathi et al., 1979).
  • The laxative property of T. chebula is studied in one of the clinical studies. Symptoms other than frequency, evacuation, and consistency were improved with T. Chebula fruit powder (6 gm) given after meals for seven days. The total response to the drug was excellent in 20% of cases and good in 80% of cases of simple constipation. No side effects were reported (Tripathi et al., 1983)
  • The antioxidant property of T. chebula is reported. Alcoholic extract 10-20 g/ml markedly inhibited lipid peroxidation of mouse liver and lung homogenate and mitochondria. The above extracts effectively scavenge the oxygen free radical produced by VR, plus light, and inhibit H,0,-induced red cell hemolysis. 20 mg/ml of the extract significantly inhibited the chemiluminescence of human leukocytes induced by TPA (20 ng/ ml). The extract (50 mg/ ml) also prevented DNA breaks of human leukocytes induced by TPA and cigarette smoke condensate (Fu Naiwu et al., 1992).
  • The hypolipidemic action of ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the alcoholic extract of T. chebula stem in normal and Triton-treated rats is reported (Khanna et al; 1993 Amrithaveni et al., 2001).
  • T. chebula inhibited HIV-1 protease activity at a concentration of 25 microg/ml in the fluorogenic assay (Xu H.X. et al., 1996).
  • Aqueous extract of T. chebula (64-128 micro g/ml concentration) exhibited the most prominent anti-HBV activities (Kin. I.G. et al., 1999).
  • Bala Haritaki is found to be effective in reducing the levels of total lipids, serum TG, serum cholesterol, LDL, and VIDL significantly. On the other hand, the level of HDL increased significantly (Sood & Sharma, 2000).
  • The water-soluble fraction of T. chebula (WFTC) administration one hour before compound 48/ 80 injection inhibited compound 48/80 induced anaphylactic shock 100% with doses of 0.01 to 1.0 g/ kg. When WFTC was administered 500 in 10 min. alter compound 48/ 80 injection; the mortality also decreased in a dose-dependent manner. The results indicated that WET may possess a strong anti-anaphylactic action (Shin et al., 2001).

Rasa Panchaka of Haritaki

Rasa (Taste) Kashaya (astringent), Madhura (sweet), Amla (sour), Katu (pungent), Tikata (bitter)
Guna (Virtue) Ruksha (dry), Laghu (light)
Virya (potency) Ushna (hot potency)
Vipaka (post-digestion) Madhura (sweet)

Dosha Karma of Haritaki

Tridosha Shamaka, Vatahara due to Usna Virya and Madhura Vipaka, Pitta Shamaka because of Madhura Vipaka, and Kasaya Rasa. Kapha Shamaka owing to Usna Virya and Kasaya Rasa.

Karma (Actions) of Haritaki

Rasayana, Vayahsthapana, Ayusya Karma, Sarvarogaprasamani, Pathya, Dipana, Pacana, Anulomana, Mridurecana (Sukha Virecana, Sulahara), Grahi, Krmighna, Yakrduttejaka, Balya, Brnhana, Poustiki, Chardinigrahana, Mutrajanana, Asmarinasana, Mehahara, Arsoghna, Hrdya, Shonita Sthapana, Sothahara, Kanthya, Vrsya, Prajasthapana, Garbhasaya Shothahara, Naditandrabalya, Medhya, Buddhi Balapradam, Smrti Vardhaka, Indriyasakti (Caksvadi) Prada, Vedana Sthapana-Sothahara, Vranasodhana, Vranaropana, Jvaraghna, Kaphaghna, Svarya, Varnya-Tvacya, Sroto- vibandhahara, Vatasamaka, Santarpana, Medo- dehadourgandhy, Madahara.

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Prayogarha Vyadhi (Therapeutic indication) of Haritaki

Agnimandya, Ajirna, Shla, Anaha, Adhmana, Vibandha, Chardi, Udararoga, Gulma-Udavarta, Sarvasula, Krmi, Grahani, Arsa, Hrddourbalya, Vatarakta, Amavata, Raktavikara, Yakrta, Plihavikara, Pandu, Kamala, Kasa, Shvasa, Pratisyaya-Svara Vikara, Kanthamaya, Hikka, Mutrakrcchra, Mutraghata, Ashmari, Prameha, Tvagdosa, Kustha, Visarpa, Jvara, Visamajvara, Jirnajvara, Nadridourbalya-Mastiskadourbalya, Indiriyabala, Garbhasayadourbalya, Svetapradara, Upadamsa.

Aamyik Paryog (Therapeutic uses) of Haritaki

Jwara (Fever):

  • One is freed from fever by taking Haritaki with Draksha followed by intake of milk (Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana. 3/ 233)
  • Linctus made of Haritaki with ghee, honey and oil remove all types of fever. Similarly does Trivit with honey. (Sushruta Samhita Uttara tantra. 39/ 210, Bhava Parkasha Samhita Chikitsa Sthana. 1/ 362)

Vishma Jwara (Malarial Fever)

  • One should take Satpala- Ghrita or Haritaki or decoction of Triphala or juice of Guduci. (Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana. 3/ 298)
  • Haritaki taken with honey alleviates malarial fever.  (Vrinda Madhava. 1/ 247, Bhava Parkasha Chikitsa Sthana. 1/ 753)

Atisara (Diarrhoea)

  • For difficult elimination of impurity, Haritaki should be given to expel it. (Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana. 19/ 17, Sushruta Samhita Uttara tantra. 40/ 31, Ashtanga Hridya Chikitsa Sthana. 9/ 5)
  • If stool comes out in small quantities and with obstruction and pain, the patient should be purgated with the warm paste of Haritaki and Pippali. (Sushruta Samhita Uttara tantra. 40/ 33)
  • Powder of Haritaki, rock salt, and Sunthi should be taken with honey and sugar in diarrhea caused by Kapha. (Ashtanga Sangreha Chikitsa Sthana. 11/ 27)
  • Gruel prepared with Haritaki, Pippali Mula, and Bilva acts as carminative. (Ashtanga Hridya Chikitsa Sthana. 1/ 14)
  • Haritaki, Sunthi, Mustaka, and jaggery-these four mixed in equal quantities are made into pills known as Chatuhsama Modaka. It checks all types of diarrheas. (Bhava Parkasha Chikitsa Sthana. 2/ 88)
  • In boiled goat’s milk powder of Haritaki should be put, the Dadhi (curd) so formed should be given in case of Atisaara. (Vaidya Manorma. 6/ 13)

Aruchi, Ajirna (Loss of appetite, indigestion, etc)

  • Haritaki is an important ingredient in Vaisvanara Churna. (Ashtanga Hridya Chikitsa Sthana. 14/ 34)
  • Haritaki taken regularly with Sunthi or Sharkara (jaggery) or Saindhav Lavana (rocksalt) promotes digestive power. (Vrinda Madhava. 6/ 8)
  • One should take powder consisting of Haritaki, Pippali, and Sauvarcala. (Vrinda Madhava. 6/ 22)
  • In case there is a burning sensation in the bowels, cardiac region, and throat after a meal, Haritaki mixed with Draksha, sugar, and honey should be taken which gives relief. (Vrinda Madhava. 6/ 25)
  • One who feels some doubt about indigestion and the patient is strong should take Haritaki mixed with Sunthi before meals. (Gada Nigreha. 2. 5. 57)
  • Haritaki, Pippali, and Sunthi-this is known as ‘Trisama’ (three inequal) quantities, which promotes digestive power and prevents thirst, etc. (Vanga Sena Ajirna. 19)
  • Haritaki taken with Nimba improves digestion and removes skin diseases such as ringworm, boils, etc. (Vanga Sena Ajirna.15)
  • In the condition of Amadosa, indigestion, piles, and constipation one should regularly use Haritaki with jaggery. (Bhava Parkasha Chikitsa Sthana. 6/ 35)
  • Haritaki taken after meals checks excessive salivation. (Vaidya Manorma. 4/ 5)
  • Paste of Haritaki, rocksalt, Pippali, and Sunthi pacifies all the three Dosas and that of Haritaki, rock salt, and Sunthi acts as appetizers and digestive. (Sharangdhara Smahita. 2. 5. 25)

Grahani Roga (IBS): The bark of the Haritaki tree taken with buttermilk alleviates Grahani Roga associated with Ama and blood. (Vanga Sena Grahani. 168)

Udavartta: Water boiled with Haritaki, Trivrit, and Kulattha and mixed with Pippali powder and Danti oil cures Udavartta within three days. (Vaidya Manorma. 5. 9)

Arsha (Piles)

  • Haritaki kept in cow’s urine and mixed with jaggery should be given or it may be given with buttermilk. (Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana. 14/ 67)
  • Haritaki fried in ghee and mixed with jaggery and Pippali or with Trivrit and Danti should be given. It acts as a carminative. (Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana. 14/ 119)
  • Haritaki is the chief ingredient in Abhayarista. (Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana. 14/ 138- 43) and Abhayadya Modaka. (Vaidya Manorma. 74/ 14)
  • Haritaki cooked in cow’s urine should be taken with honey in the morning according to strength. (Sushruta Samhita Chikitsa Sthana. 6/ 13, Ashtanga Hridya Chikitsa Stahana. 8/ 55- 56)
  • Haritaki mixed with jaggery should be taken before meals. (Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana. 14/ 65, Sushruta Samhita Chikitsa Sthana. 6/ 13, Sharangdhara Samhita. 2. 7. 25)
  • Haritaki mixed with jaggery pacifies Pitta and Kapha, removes scabies and itching, and destroys piles. (Vaidya Manorma. 5/ 16)
  • Haritaki mixed with jaggery should be taken followed by intake of buttermilk. (Ashtanga Sangreha Chikitsa Sthana. 10/ 12, Ashtanga Hridya Chikitsa Sthana. 8/ 33)
  • Haritaki and Rasona each 4 gm and Asthisamhara 8 gm mixed with a little salt and oil destroy hemorrhoids. (Vaidya Manorma. 5/ 7)

Rakta Pitta (Intrinsic hemorrhage)

  • Haritaki mixed with Draksa alleviates intrinsic hemorrhage, itching, Paittika Gulma, and chronic fever. (Gada Nigreha. 2. 8. 63)
  • Haritaki mixed with honey acts as a digestive and appetizer. It also alleviates Kapha, intrinsic hemorrhage, colic, and diarrhea. (Vaidya Manorma. 9/ 24, Gada Nigreha. 2. 8. 32)
  • Haritaki impregnated with the juice of väsa seven times checks for intrinsic hemorrhage. So Pippali was taken with honey. (Chakra Dutta. 9/ 27)
  • Chardi (Vomiting): One should take Haritaki with honey. (Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana. 20/ 29, Ashtanga Sangreha Chikitsa Sthana. 8/ 17, Ashtanga Hridya Chikitsa Sthana. 6/ 17, Vaidya Manorma. 15/ 8)

Kasa (Cough)

  • Pills prepared with Haritaki, Sunthi, Mustaka, and jaggery should be kept in the mouth. (Ashtanga Hridya Chikitsa Sthana. 3/ 172, Vaidya Manorma. 11/ 24)
  • Haritaki and Sunthi or Bibhitaka and Pippali or Pibhitaka alone kept in mouth cheeks cough and asthma. (Vaidya Manorma. 11/ 23)

Haritaki is the chief ingredient in the following formulations-

  • Haritaki- Leha (Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana. 18/ 168- 69)
  • Agastya Haritaki (Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana.18/ 57- 62)
  • Vasavyaghri – Haritaki (Sodasangahrdaya. 4. 199- 201)

Hikka, Shwasa (Hiccough and asthma)

  • In Hikka, one should take Haritaki with Ushan Toya (warm water). (Sushruta Samhita Uttara tantra. 50/ 24)
  • Haritaki powder should be mixed with profuse honey and ghee. (Sushruta Samhita Uttara Tantra. 44/ 14)
  • Jaggery cooked with Haritaki should be taken. (Sushruta Samhita Uttara Tantra. 44/ 16)
  • Old ghee cooked with Haritaki, Bida and Hingu is useful for asthma, cough, hiccough, and heart disease. (Sushruta Smahita Uttara Tantra. 51/ 16)
  • Paste of Haritaki and Sunthi or that of Puskaramula, Yavaksara, and Marica should be taken by one suffering from hiccough and asthma. (Vaidya Manorma. 12/ 10, 18)

Paandu, Kamala (Anemia and jaundice)

  • Patients of Kaphaja Pandu should take Haritaki impregnated with and suspended in cow’s urine. (Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana.16/ 58, 68)
  • Lauhabhasma, Haritaki, and Haridra in equal parts mixed with honey and ghee should be taken with jaggery and honey in case of jaundice. (Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana. 16/ 98)
  • Haritaki is the chief ingredient in Pathya Ghrta. (Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana. 16/ 50)
  • Haritaki pounded with urine or cooked in cow’s urine should be taken. (Ashtanga Hridya Chikitsa Sthana. 16/ 7)
  • After evacuation from both ways, one should take Haritaki mixed with profuse honey and ghee. (Ashtanga Hridya Chikitsa Sthana. 16/ 10, Vrinda Madhava. 8.1)

Udararoga (Abdominal disorder)

  • One should take Haritaki with cow’s urine followed by milk, keeping, for a week, on buffalo’s urine and milk with no cereals in the diet. (Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana. 13/ 15, Ashtanga Sangreha Chikitsa Sthana. 17/ 3)
  • One should use one thousand Haritaki fruits or Silajatu keeping on a milk diet. (Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana. 13/ 152)

Pleeha Vriddhi, Yakrit Vriddhi (Enlargement of Liver and spleen)

Decoction of Haritaki and Rohitaka mixed with Yavaksara and Pippali should be taken in the morning for alleviation of the enlargement of the liver and spleen, Gulma, and Udara. (Sharangdhara Samhita. 2. 2. 121)

Shotha (Oedema)

Haritaki or Sunthi mixed with jaggery should be taken in case of constipation and passing abnormal stool with mucus. (Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana. 12/ 27)

Haritaki is the chief ingredient in Kamnsa Haritaki. (Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana. 12/ 50- 52)

Haritaki taken with cow’s urine alleviates edema caused by Kapha. (Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana. 12/ 21)

Haritaki and Madhuka combined should be given with honey or Pippali should be given with honey followed by milk. (Bhela Samhita. Chikitsa Sthana. 17/ 20)

Haritaki, Sunthi, and Devadaru all in equal quantity are mixed and taken with warm water. It removes edema. (Bhela Samhita Chikitsa Sthana. 17/ 21)

Haritaki mixed with jaggery or Trisama Gutika should be given. (Kashayapa Samhita Page. 341, Sushruta Samhita Chikitsa Sthana. 23/ 12)

Haritaki should be taken with cow urine. It eliminates impurities. (Ashtanga Hridya Chikitsa Sthana. 17/ 2)

Haritaki or Sunthi mixed with jaggery should be taken with buttermilk. (Ashtanga Hridya Chikitsa Sthana. 17/ 5)

Kustha (Skin disorder)

  • Five Haritaki fruits powdered and mixed with Trikatu and jaggery should be taken keeping on a wholesome diet. (Bhela Samhita Chikitsa Sthana. 6/ 53)
  • Bolus made of Haritaki, Tila, jaggery, and Bhallataka alleviates Kustha. (Ashtanga Hridya Chikitsa Sthana. 19/ 47)
  • Haritaki cooked with cow’s urine removes edema, anemia, Gulma, prameha, Kapha, scabies, and eczema. (Vrinda Madhava. 51/ 42)
  • One who takes Haritaki and Nimba or Nimba and Amalaka overcomes Kustha. within a month. (Vrinda Madhava. 51/ 58)
  • Haritaki heated and powdered and then mixed with Tila oil removes chronic Kustha and wounds. (Vaidya Manorma. 16/ 116)

Medo Roga (Obesity)

  • Haritaki almost alleviates disorders caused by oversaturation. (Charaka Samhita Sutra Sthana. 44/ 67)
  • Prameha etc. (diseases caused by saturation) are controlled by the use of buttermilk and Haritaki, Triphala, and Aristas. (Charaka Samhita Sutra Sthana. 23/ 17)
  • Paste of Haritaki should be anointed on the body before taking bath. It checks perspiration. (Bhava Parkasha Chikitsa Sthana. 39/ 75)
  • Haritaki powder mixed with honey should be taken with wine in the morning. It checks perspiration and provides fragrance to the body. (Bhava Parkasha Chikitsa Sthana. 39/ 83)

Prameha (Diabetes): Haritaki powder should be taken with honey. (Ashtanga Hridya Chikitsa Sthana. 14/ 5)

Madatya, Murcha (Narcosis and fainting)

In fainting, Ghee cooked with a decoction of Haritaki or juice of Amalaka fruits should be given. (Sushruta Samhita Uttara Tantra. 45/ 19, Vrinda Madhava. 18/ 3)

In alcoholism, intake of milk mixed with a decoction of Haritaki is recommended. (Harita Samhita. 3/ 16. 12)

Intake of Haritaki removes intoxication caused by the use of Jatiphala. (Bhava Parkasha Chikitsa Sthana. 20/ 84)

Amlapitta (Acid gastritis)

Haritaki should be taken with Draksha or with honey and jaggery. (Vrinda Madhava. 53/ 14)

Parinama Sula

Haritaki, Lauha Bhasma, and Sunthi were taken with honey and ghee to remove Parinama Sula of all types. (Vrinda Madhava. 27/ 12)

One should take Haritaki with jaggery and ghee. (Bhava parkasha Chikitsa Sthana. 30/ 51)

Vrishan Vriddhi (Scrotal enlargement)

  • Regular use, in the morning, of Haritaki cooked in cow’s urine and mixed with oil and salt alleviate diseases caused by Kapha and Vata. (Vrinda Madhava. 40/ 13)
  • One should take Haritaki cooked in cow’s urine, then fried in ghee and mixed with powdered rock salt with warm water. It destroys scrotal enlargement even if it is chronic and severe. (Vrinda Madhava. 40/ 14)
  • Paste of Haritaki fried with castor oil and mixed with Pippali and rock salt is an excellent remedy for scrotal enlargement. (Vrinda Madhava. 40/ 17)
  • Bradhna (Inguinal hernia): Paste of Haritaki fried with castor oil and mixed with Pippali and rock salt is an excellent remedy for inguinal hernia. (Vanga Sena. Bradhna. 3)

Shleepada (Filaria)

  • Haritaki Kalka (Paste of Haritaki) should be used with any Mutra (urine). (Sushruta Samhita Chikitsa Sthana. 19/ 57, Vrinda Madhava. 42/ 10)
  • One who takes Haritaki fried in castor oil with cow’s urine becomes free from filaria within a week. (Vrinda Madhava. 42/ 15, Bhava Parkasha Chikitsa Sthana. 45/ 15)

Vatavyadhi: One should use regularly Haritaki, Guggulu, and Shilajatu. (Ashtanga Hridya Chikitsa Sthana. 21/ 49)

Amavata (Rheumatoid arthritis)

  • One suffering from Amavata, sciatica, and scrotal enlargement should regularly take Haritaki with castor oil. (Vrinda Madhava. 25/ 11, Bhava Parkasha Chikitsa Sthana. 26/ 51)
  • Powder of Haritaki, Sunthi, and Yavani in equal parts should be taken with buttermilk or hot water, or sour gruel. It alleviates Amavata, edema, and loss of appetite. (Vrinda Madhava. 25/ 34)
  • Haritaki should be taken with Sunthi or Guggulu with urine. One may also take the paste of Sunthi and Mundi or Tila and Sunthi. (Bhava Parkasha Chikitsa Sthana. 26/ 29)

Vatarakta (Gout)

  • By using buttermilk and Haritaki Kapha and Medas are reduced. (Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana. 29/ 157)
  • Haritaki mixed with jaggery should be taken either with urine or water. (Sushruta Samhita Chikitsa Samhita. 5/ 10, 12)
  • Ghrit Bharjita Haritaki Kwath (Decoction of Haritaki fried with ghee) should be taken. Similarly, Trivit powder may be taken with grape juice followed by an intake of milk. (Ashtanga Hridya Chikitsa Sthana. 22. 12)
  • Decoction of Guduci should be taken after intake of three or five Haritaki fruits with jaggery. It alleviates Vatarakta. (Vrinda Madhava. 23/ 7, Bhava Parkasha Chikitsa Sthana. 29/ 44)
  • In all cases, Haritaki. with jaggery or decoction of Guduci or Pippali Vardhamana should be used. (Vrinda Madhava. 23/ 16)

Urustambha (Stiffness of thigh): Use of Ksara and Arista, Haritaki, honey-water, and Pippali alleviates Urustambha. (Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana. 27/ 28)

Ashmari (Calculus, retention of urine)

  • One should take milk boiled with Triphala or Punarnava. (Sushruta Samhita Chikitsa Sthana. 7/ 26, Ashtanga Hridya Chikitsa Sthana. 11/ 33)
  • Paste of Triphala of the size of jujube fruit should be added with a little salt and taken with water. It relieves dysuria. (Sushruta Samhita Uttara Tantra. 58/ 38)
  • Gala Roga (Diseases of the throat): Decoction of Hritaki mixed with honey should be taken. (Vrinda Madhava. 58/ 63)
  • Pratishaya (Coryza): One should use a windless place, keep one head warm and take a rough diet of barley and Haritaki. (Sushruta Samhita Uttara Tantra. 24/ 21)

Akshi Roga (Eye diseases)

  • In Paksmakopa, Haritaki or ghee processed with Tuvaraka should be applied. (Sushruta Samhita Uttara Tantra. 16/ 8)
  • One suffering from defects of vision should take Haritaki in the morning or before meals or he should take Draksha with sugar and honey. (Ashtanga Hridya Uttara Tantra. 13/ 19)
  • Ghrita Bharjita Haritaki (Haritaki fried with ghee) should be applied on the lids. (Chakra Dutta. 59/ 11)

Shukra Vikriti (Defects of semen): In defects of semen caused by Pitta Abhaya Amalakiya Rasayana. (Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana. 1. 1/ 41- 77) should be given. (Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana. 30/ 149)

Satnya Vikriti (Defects of breast- milk):  In case of a foul smell in breast milk, the woman should take Haritaki powder with Trikatu and honey. (Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana. 30/ 274)

As Rasayana (As rejuvenator)

  • Dwaya Haritaki Phala (Two Haritaki fruits) taken with Sharkara (jaggery), Madhu (honey), Sunthi, Pippali, and Lavana (salt- according to season) provide happiness and longevity. (Ashtanga Hridya Uttara Tantra. 39/ 147, Vrinda Madhava. 69/ 3)
  • Haritaki fried in ghee should be taken followed by an intake of ghee. It provides firm strength in the body. (Ashtanga Hridya Uttara Tantra. 39/ 148)
  • Haritaki taken with salt, Ghee and Sunthi pacify Vata, Pitta, and Kapha respectively. However, jaggery destroys all diseases. (Siddha Sara. 31/ 31)
  • Gulma (Abdominal tumor): Haritaki taken with jaggery is useful. (Sushruta Samhita Uttara. 42/ 62)

Updansha (Soft chancre):  By applying Haritaki with Rasanjana the disease is cured. (Raja Amrittanda. 17. 3)

Kshudra Kustha (Minor diseases)

  • In whitlow, Haritaki is rubbed with the juice of Haridra in an iron vessel and applied frequently. (Vanga Sena. Kshudra. 97)
  • In dandruff- Powder of Amra seeds and Haritaki in equal quantity are pounded with milk and applied. It removes severe dandruff. (Sharangdhara Smahita. 3. 11. 19).

Action of Triphala (Haritaki, Bhibhitaki, Amalaki), described in various Ayurvedic texts:

Properties and action Charaka Samhita Sushruta Samhita Ashtanga Sangraha Harita Samhita Sh. S B.P. N K. N
Rasayana + + + + +
Kapha Pittghna + + + + + + +
Yoni Gulma Shaman  +
Kandu Hara +
Deepana + + + +
Ropana + + +
Meha

Ghana

+ + + + +
Vrana

Dayani

+
Vrana Shodhana +
Vishma Kwara Nashana + + +
Netra Roga Ghana + + + +
Medo Hara + + + +
Kusth Ghana + + + + + +
Kleda Prasara Nashana + +

Benefits of Haritaki

  • The fruit is a prominent herbal drug, which is a highly valuable, common, and widely used medicine in Indian systems of medicine. The characteristics and tests of the best quality of fruit for utilizing an ideal, genuine and medicinal potent drug have been mentioned in classical texts, which incorporate the method of collection, storage, types, identification, origin (habitat), and taste of different parts, wide-ranging therapeutic indications (as a single drug, major or minor ingredient and the component of formulations) and several other aspects and information relevant to its medicinal potentiality pharmacological efficacy and clinical utility by multi-administration of the drug in preventive as well as curative purposes making it a highly esteemed and wide-ranging poly- herbal drug. It is one of the major drugs among alternative or rejuvenation (Rasayana) medicines and is frequently employed in a large number of formulations. This is the most popular drug which is used in a very large number of diseases. The fruit is dry and heating, stomachic, tonic, carminative, expectorant, anti-helminthic, anti- dysenteric, and alternative. 
  • Fruit of Haritaki is useful in asthma, sore throat, thirst, vomiting, \hiccough, eye diseases, diseases of the heart and the bladder, strangury, vesicular calculi, urinary discharges, ascites, biliousness, inflammations, tumors bleeding piles, typhoid fever, leucoderma, dyspnea, itching pain, gout, constipation, anemia, elephantiasis, and delirium.
  • The unripe fruit is astringent and aperient, useful in dysentery and diarrhea. The ripe fruit is purgative, tonic, and carminative and it enriches the blood. It is useful in ophthalmia, diseases of the spleen, piles, cold in the head, and paralysis. 
  • It strengthens the brain, eyes, and gums. The fruits are used for sore throat. 
  • The fruit of Haritaki is finely powdered and used as a dentifrice medicine, it is useful in carious teeth, bleeding, and ulcerative conditions of the gums.
  • Haritaki Phala Kwatha (decoction of the fruits) is a good astringent wash. Haritaki Phala (fruit), coarsely powdered and used for Dhoompaan (smoked in a pipe), affords relief in a fit of asthma. A fine paste, obtained by rubbing the fruit on a rough stone with little water, mixed with the oil (of pharmacopeia), and applied to burns and scalds, effects a more rapid cure than when carron oil alone is used.
  • The fruit pieces are kept in water for the night and this water is considered useful as a cooling wash for the eyes and as a lotion for other ailments. 
  • Haritaki Phala (fruit) in combination with other drugs is prescribed for Sarpa Dansha (snake bites).
  • The bark is endowed with both diuretic and cardio-tonic properties. Fruits, being a rich source of tannin, are much used commercially for tanning purposes. 
  • In the condition of constipation, diseases with constipation symptoms, patients with constipation tendency, and habitual constipation, the fruit (pericarp) powder is taken at night with lukewarm water for mild purgative or laxative. It is the safe, common, and effective use of this herbal drug of familiarity.
  • The drug is significantly prescribed for therapeutic as well as preventive use and process of restorative or alternative indication (Rasayana karma), and it is classically recommended as Ritu Haritaki for using the drug during different seasons viz.
Season (Ritu)Vehicle (Anupana)
Varsha (Rainy)Saindhava (rock salt)
Sharada (autumn)Sarkara (sugar)
Hemant (cold/ pre- winter)Sunthi (ginger)
Shishir (winter)Pippali (long pepper)
Vasanta (spring)Madhu (honey)
GrishamGuda (jaggery)
  • Various medicinal properties of drug-fruit are specified in its mode of use such as chewing (Charvita), powdering (Peshitta), boiling and frying (Bhrisht) and frying (Swinna) of fruit which is stomachic (Agnivardhana), laxative (Malasodhana) and astringent (Sangrahi) and countering tri-humors (Tridosaghna).
  • The drug is indicated for the diseases caused by vitiation of all three humors or dosa (Tridosa) in general (and countering the vitiation of Vata in particular) for which a common guideline is provided for enabling effective therapeutic usage, such as:
DoshaAnupana
Vata Ghrita (clarified butter)
PittaSharkara (sugar)
KaphaLavana (salt)

Benefits of Haritaki on different systems of bodies

  • External use: Local application of Haritaki is anti-inflammatory. Haritaki as a paste is applied over eyelids for conjunctivitis. A decoction of haritaki is used for washing wounds and also for gargling diseases of the mouth and throat.
  • Nervous system: Useful in the weakness of the nerves and brain as well as in Vata disorders and diminished vision.
  • Digestive system: Useful in loss of appetite, pain in the abdomen, constipation, Gulma, ascites, hemorrhoids, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and parasites. It relieves constipation in chronic abdominal diseases and also helps in the digestion of “ama”. The bark of haritaki, if eaten after chewing it properly in the mouth, improves digestion. Powdered haritaki reduces constipation.Haritaki Churna (fine powder of Haritaki)  is used as a Danta Manjana Churna (tooth powder). It strengthens the gums.
  • Circulatory system: Since haritaki is Raktagami (exhibiting much action on rakta Dhatu), it is used in the weakness of the heart, Vatarakta, and other disorders of the blood.
  • Respiratory system: Haritaki is used in Pratishaya (Rhinitis due to constipation), Kasa (cough), Swara Bheda (hoarseness of voice), Hikka (hiccups), and dyspnea are relieved by Haritaki as it reduces congestion.
  • Reproductive system: Haritaki is useful in Shukrameha, Pradara (leucorrhoea), and acts as a uterine tonic.
  • Urinary system: Useful in dysuria, retention of urine, calculus (Haritakyasthi Siddha Dugdha), and Kapha prameha.
  • Skin: Useful in erysipelas and other skin disorders, haritaki prevents the accumulation of pus in skin diseases and acts as a Rasayana. Haritaki + oil is extremely helpful in the healing of wounds (especially burns).
  • Temperature: Haritaki is useful in typhoid fever and also Jeerna Jwara (chronic fever).
  • Restorative effect: Haritaki acts as a rejuvenator (by clearing the body of various mala). But for producing its Rasayana effects, it needs various supportive Dravyas in different seasons. Varsha (monsoon) – Saindhav, Sharad – sugar, Hemant (winter) – Sunthi, Shishir – Pippali, Vasant (spring) honey, and Greeshma (summer) – Gur (jaggery). Purgation induced by haritaki is relieved on its own. Bala Haritaki is useful in hemorrhoids. It helps in clearing the bowels.

Matra (Therapeutic administration and dosage) of Haritaki

  • Churna (powder): 1 gram (Rasayanrtha), 6 grams (Shodhanartha)
  • Kwath (Decoction): 30- 50 ml
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Classical reference of Haritaki

Bhava Prakasha Nighantu Haritakyadi Varga- 6- 7

Synonyms

हरीतक्यभया पथ्या कायस्था पूतना अमृता। 

हैमवत्यव्यथा चापि चेतकी श्रेयसी शिवा।। 

वयस्था विजया चापि जीवन्ती रोहिणीति च।।

The synonyms of Haritaki are Haritaki, Abhaya, Pathya, Kayastha, Putana, Amrta, Haimavati, Avyatha, Chetaki, Sreyasi, Shiva, Vayastha, Vijaya, Jivanti, and Rohini.

Bhava Prakasha Nighantu Haritakyadi Varga- 8- 10

Types, origin, characters

विजया रोहिणी चैव पूतना चामृता अभया ।

जीवन्ती चेतकी चेति पथ्याया: सप्तजातय:।। 

विंध्याद्रो  विजया हिमाचलभवा स्याच्चेतकी पूतना। 

सिन्धौ स्यादथ रोहिणी निगदिता जाता प्रतिस्थानके ।।

चम्पायामृता अभया च जनिता देशे सुराष्ट्राव्हये। 

जीवन्तीति हरीतकी निगदिता सप्त प्रभेदा बुध: ।। 

अलाबुवृत्ता विजया वृत्ता सा रोहिणी स्मृता।

पूतना अस्थिमतीसूक्ष्मा कथिता मांसला अमृता ।।

पंच्च रेखाभया प्रोक्ता जीवन्ती स्वर्णवर्णिनी ।

त्रिरिखा चेतकी ज्ञेया सप्तानामियमाकृति: ।। 

The seven types of Haritaki are, Vijaya, Rohini, Putana, Amrita, Abhaya, Jivanti, and Chetaki, (Vijaya type of Haritaki grows in Vindhya mountains, Chetaki in Himalayan mountains, Putna in Sindhu country, Rohini in Pratishthana, Amrta in Campa region, Abhaya also in the same area and Jivanti in Saurashtra Desa). Vijaya is elliptically oblong, Rohini is round, the seed of Putana is big and the overall size is small, the rind is heavy in Amrtà, five ridges are present in Abhaya, Jivanti is gold colored and Chetaki has three ridges. These are the different characters of different varieties of Haritaki.

Bhava Prakasha Nighantu Haritakyadi Varga- 11- 18

Utilities of seven types of Haritaki

विजया सर्वरोगेषु रोहिणी व्रणरोहिणी ।

प्रलेपे पूतना योज्या शोधनार्थे अमृता हिता ।।

अक्षिरोगे अभया शस्ता जीवन्ती सर्वरोगहत्‌ ।

चूणर्थि  चेतकी शस्ता यथायुक्त॑ प्रयोजयेत्‌ ।।

चेतकी द्विविधाप्रोक्ता श्वेता कृष्णा च वर्णत: ।

षड अंगुलायता शुक्ला कृष्णा त्वेका अंगुला स्मृता ।।

कचिदा स्वादमात्रेण काचिह्न्थेन भेदयेत्‌ ।

काचित्स्यर्शेन दृष्या अन्या चतुर्द्धा भेदयेच्छिवा ।।

चेतकीपाद पच्छायामुपसर्पन्ति ये नरा: ।

भिद्यन्ते तत्क्षणादेव पशुपक्षि मृगादय: ।।

चेतकी तु धृता हस्ते यावत्तिष्ठति देहिन: ।

तावद्धिद्येत वेगैस्तु प्रभावान्नात्र संशय: ।।

नृपाणां सुकुमाराणां कृशानां भेषजदिषाम्‌ ।

चेतकी परमा शस्ता हिता सुखविरेचनी ।।

सप्तानामपि जातीनां प्रधाना विजया स्मृता ।

सुखप्रयोगा सुलभा सर्वरोगेषु शस्यते ।।

Vijaya variety can be utilized in all diseases, Rohini heals ulcers, Putana is good for topical application, Amrita is used in purgation, Abhaya has opted for ophthalmic conditions, and Jivanti can be used in all conditions. To make powder, the Chetaki variety is ideal. Chetaki is again divided into two varieties. White and black varieties. The white variety measures six Angula and the black variety measures only one Angula. Certain fruits of this variety cause purgation by tasting them, and certain others by inhaling, touching, or even by looking at them. If anybody passes by the shade of the tree, they purgate immediately and even animals, birds, and cattle are not exempted. This fruit continuously causes purgation as long as it is kept in the fist. It is very soft and causes very smooth purgation for those, who are very delicate, who do not like medicines, and emaciated. Out of all the seven types, Vijay is ideal as its application is easier, available easily, and can be administered in most diseases.

Bhava Prakasha Nighantu Haritakyadi Varga- 19- 26

Properties and action

हरीतकी पंञ्च रसा अलवणा तुवरा परम्‌।

रूक्षोष्णा दीपनी मेध्या. स्वादुपाका रसायनी ।।

चक्षुष्या लघुरायुष्या बूंहणी चानुलोमिनी ।

श्वासकासप्रमेहार्श: कुष्ठ शोथोदर कृमीन्‌ ।

वैस्वर्य ग्रहणी रोग विबन्ध विषमज्वरान्‌ ।

शुल्माध्मान तृषा छर्दि हिक्काकण्डूहदामयान्‌ ।।

कामलां शूलमानाहं प्लीहाञ्च यकृत्तथा ।

अश्मरीं मूत्रकृच्छ्ञ्च मूत्राघातञ्च नाशयेत्‌ ।।

स्वादु तिक्त कषायत्वात्पत्तहतकफहत्‌ सा।

कटु तिक्त कषाय त्वादम्लत्वादयातहच्छिवा ।

पित्कृत्कटुकाम्लल्वाातकृन्न कथं शिवा।। 

प्रभावादयोषहन्तृत्व॑ सिद्धं यत्तत्परकाश्यते ।

हेतुभिः शिष्याबोधार्थ नापूर्व क्रियते अधुना ।।

कर्मान्यत्व॑ गुणै: साम्य॑ दृष्टमाश्रय भेदत: ।

यतस्ततो वेति चिन्त्य॑ धात्री लकुचयोर्यथा ।।

Haritaki has five Rasas (tastes), devoid of saltish taste and dominant in astringent. It is drying, heat generating, appetizer, brain tonic, attains sweetness after digestion, vitalizer, good for eyes, light to digest, increases longevity, strength-giving, and mild laxative. This drug can relieve cough, dyspnea, urinary problems including glycosuria, hemorrhoids, skin diseases, edema, abdominal diseases, intestinal worms, change in voice, malabsorption, constipation, malarial fevers, intestinal growths, lower abdominal distension, thirst, vomiting, hiccough, itching sensation, heart diseases, jaundice, spasmodic pains, upper abdominal distension, splenic diseases, liver diseases, urinary calculi, difficult micturition and obstructed micturition. Haritaki is capable of reducing Kapha and Pitta owing to its sweet, bitter, and astringent effects and tastes. It can reduce Vata, due to its sour taste. Why Haritaki is not increasing Vata and Pitta due to its pungent and sour tastes is that the actions exerted are because of the underlying unspecified actions but not because of any visible or explainable properties. The explanation based on its tastes as given above is merely to enlighten the students. The therapeutic result is not a wonderful thing as it is an established clinical fact. The fact here is that all the actions of Haritaki are due to its explainable properties. The properties of Rasas vary, depending upon the substances or drugs they are attached to and the lively example is the difference between the actions of Amalaki and Lakuca.

Dhanwantri Nighantu Guduchyadi Varga- 203- 206

Properties and action

कषाया अम्ला च कटुका तिक्ता मधु रसांविता। 

इति पंञ्च रसा पथ्या लवणेन विवर्जिता ।।

अम्लभावाज्जयेद वातं पित्त मधुरतिक्तकात्‌ ।

कफ रूक्ष कषायत्वास्रिदोषघ्नी ततो अभया ।।

प्रपथ्या लेखनी लध्वी मेध्या चक्षुहिता सदा ।

मेहकुष्ठ व्रणच्छ्दिशोफवातास्र कृच्छजित।। 

वातानुलोमनी हद्या सेंद्रियाणां प्रसादनी ।

संतर्पण कृतानोगानप्रायो हन्ति हरीतकी ।।

Kaiydeva Nighantu Aushadi Varga, 222- 229

जया विलवणा पंच रसानु तुवरोत्कटा।

स्वादु पाकरसायुष्या रूक्षोष्णा बृहणी  लघु: ।।

दीपनी पाचनी मेध्या वयस:स्थापनी परम ।।

रसायनी च चक्षुष्या बलबुद्धिस्मृतिप्रदा ।

कुष्ठ वैवर्ण्य वैस्वर्यपुराण विषमज्वरान।। 

शिरो अक्षि पाण्डु हद्रोग कामला ग्रहणीगदान्‌। 

सशोष शोफातीसार मेह मोहवमिकृमीन्‌ ।

श्वास कास प्रसेक अर्श प्लीहानाह गदोदरान्‌ ।

विवन्ध स्रोतसां गुल्ममुरुस्तम्भमरोचकम्‌ ।।

हिध्मा आध्मान व्रण शूलं त्रीन दोषाश्चव्यपोहति ।

स्वादु अम्ल भावात्पवनंकटुतिक्ततया कफम ।।

कषाय मधुर त्वाच पित्तम हन्ति हरीतकी। 

मज्जवक्स्नायुमांसास्थिस्थिता: पंचाभयोद्धवा: ।। 

स्वादु कटवम्लतिक्ताख्यकषाया: क्रमशो रसाः। 

पथ्यामज्जा चक्षुष्यो वात पित्तहरो गुरु: ।।

Priya Nighnatu Haritkyadi Varga, 3- 5

हरीतकीं पंञ्च रसामुष्णामलवणां शिवाम्‌ ।

दोषानुलोमनीं लघ्वी विद्याद्‌ दीपनपाचनीम्‌ ।।

विशेषाद्‌ वातशमनीं दोष त्रय हरीं सराम्‌ ।

बहुरोगप्रशमनीं बुद्धीन्दियबलप्रदाम्‌ |

अर्शो गुल्ममुदावर्तमानाहमुदरं नवम। 

हन्ति शोथश्च पाण्डुञ्च वैस्वर्य  कासमुद्धतम्‌।। 

Bhava Prakasha Nighantu Haritakyadi Varga- 27

Sites of five tastes

पथ्याया मज्जानि स्वादुः स्नाय्वामम्लो व्यवस्थित: ।

वृन्तेतिक्तस्त्वचिकटुरस्थिस्थस्तुवरो रस: ।।

In Haritaki, the rind is sweet, ridges are sour, stalk is bitter, membrane is pungent and the seed is astringent.

Bhava Prakasha Nighantu Haritakyadi Varga- 28- 29

Qualities of best Haritaki

नवा स्निग्धा घना वृत्तगुर्वी क्षिप्ता च या अम्भसि ।

निमज्जेत्सा प्रशस्ता च कथिता अति गुणप्रदा ।।

नवादिगुणयुक्तत्व॑ तथैवात्र द्विकर्षता ।

हरीतक्या: फलेयत्र द्विम तच्छेष्टमुच्यते ।।

Haritaki, which is fresh, smooth, bulky, round, heavy, and drowns in water, is potent and said to be therapeutically active. Having all of the said properties and weighing two Tola, around (20g.) is considered to be the best.

Bhava Prakasha Nighantu Haritakyadi Varga- 30- 33

Properties of Haritaki in different forms

चर्विता वर्द्धयत्य अग्नि पेषिता मलशोधिनी ।

स्विन्ना संग्राहिणी पथ्या भृष्टा प्रोक्ता त्रिदोषनुत्‌ ।।

उन्मीलिनी बुद्धिबलेद्रियाणां निर्मूलिनी पित्तकफानिलानाम। 

विंस्त्रसिनी मूत्रशकृन्मलानां हरीतकी स्यात्‌ सहभोजनेन ।।

अन्नपानकृतान्दोषान्वातपित्तकफोद्धवान्‌ ।

हरीतकी हरत्याशु भुक्तस्योपरि योजिता।। 

लवणेन कफ हन्ति पित्त हन्ति सशर्करा।

घृतेन वातजान्‌ रोगान्सर्वरोगान्गुडान्विता ।।

When chewed, it increases the digestive fire, when taken in the powder form acts as a purgative. When boiled on steam and eaten it causes constipation. When fried, remove all three Doshas. When consumed along with food, it enhances brain power and sensory functioning, removes the bad effects of Pitta, Kapha, and Vata, and streamlines the excretion of urine, faces, and sweat. When taken after food, it removes the defects of faulty food intake and diseases caused by Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. If taken with salt, it reduces Kapha, with sugar- Pitta, with Ghee- Vata diseases, and with jaggery, all the diseases are cured.

Bhava Prakasha Nighantu Haritakyadi Varga- 34

Ritu Haritaki

सिंधुत्यशर्कराशुण्ठीकणामधुगुडै: क्रमात्‌ ।

वर्षादिष्वभया प्राश्या रसायनगुणाधिणा ।।

A person who wishes to attain the vitalizing actions of Haritaki has to consume it with salt during the rainy season, sugar during the post-monsoon period, Sunthi during winter, Pippali during autumn, honey during spring, and jaggery during summer.

Bhava Prakasha Nighantu Haritakyadi Varga- 35

Contraindications

अध्वातिखिन्नो बलवर्जितश्च रूक्ष: कृशो लंघन कर्षितश्च। 

पित्ताधिको गर्भवती च नारी विमुक्तरक्तस्त्वभयां न खादेत ।।

Kaideva Nighantu Aushadhi Varga- 234

Unsuitable Haritaki

जन्तजग्धा दवा दग्धां जलेपंके स्थितां पुनः ।

ऊषरे च स्थितां भिन्नां वर्जयेततु हरीतकीम्‌।। 

Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana, 1- 1/ 37

अतश्चामृतकल्पानि विद्यात्‌ कर्मभिरी दृशे: | 

हरीतकीनां शस्याभि भिषगामलकस्य च ॥

Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana, 1- 1/ 29- 30

हरीतकीं पंञ्च रसामुष्णामलवणां शिवाम्‌ |

दोषानु लोमनीं  लघ्वीं विद्यद्यीपन पाचनीम्‌ ||

आयुष्यां पौष्टिकीं धन्यां वयसः स्थापनीं पराम्‌ ।

सर्वरोग प्रशमनीं बुद्धी इन्द्रियबलप्रदाम ||

Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana, 1- 1/ 31- 32

कुष्ठ॑ गुल्ममुदावर्त्त शोष॑ पाण्डुवामयं मदम्‌।

अर्शसि ग्रहणीदोष॑ पुराण विषमज्वरम्‌ ||

हंद्रोगं सशिरोगमतीसार मरोचकम्‌ |

कासं प्रमेहमानाहं प्लीहानमुदरं नवम ||

Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana, 1- 1/ 33- 34

कफप्रसेकं वैस्वर्य वैवर्ण्य॑ कामलां क्रिमीम्‌।

क्षवथुं तमक॑ छर्दि क्लैव्यमज्ञावसादनम्‌ ||

स्रोतोविबन्धान्‌ विविधान्‌ प्रलेप॑ हदयों रसो: |

स्मृतिबुद्धि प्रमोह॑ च जयेच्छीघ्र॑ हरीतकी ||

Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana, 1- 1/ 36

आमलकीसमगुणा:

तान्‌ गुणांस्तानि कर्माणि विद्यादामलकीष्वपि।

यान्युक्तानि हरीतक्या वीर्यस्य तु विपर्यय: ||

Raja Nighnatu, Amradi varga, 68

भल्लातक: कटुस्तिक्त: कषायोष्ण: क्रिमीयेत्‌ ।

कफवातोदरानाह मेहदुनार्मनाशन: ||

Raja Nighnatu, Amradi varga, 67

फलम्‌

भल्लातक फलं कषाय मधुरं कोष्ण॑ कफार्तिश्रम

श्वासानाह विबन्ध शूल जठराध्मान क्रिमिध्वंसनम्‌ |

Raja Nighnatu, Amradi varga, 69

मज्जा 

तन्मज्जा  च विशोषदाहशमनी पित्तापहा तर्पणी |

वातारोचकहारि दीप्ति जननी पित्तापहा ||

Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana, 1- 1/ 36

हरीतकीसेवनायोग्यावस्था

अजीर्णिन रूक्षभुज: स्त्रीमचालिषकर्शिता: ।

सेवेरनाभयामेते क्षु तृष्णा ध्यार्दिताश्च ये ||

Charaka Samhita Sutra Sthana

हरीतकी भक्षणनर्हजना:

अध्वातिखिन्नो बलवर्जितश्च रूक्षकृशो लंघन कर्षितश्च |

पित्ताधिकौ गर्भवती च नारी विमुक्तरक्तस्त्वभयां च खादेत्‌ ||

तृष्णायां मुखशोषे च हनुस्तम्भे मल ग्रहे |

नव ज्वरे तथा क्षीणे गर्भिण्यां न प्रशस्यते ||

“हरीतकी पथ्यानाम्‌ (श्रेष्ठम)”

Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana, 1/ 76

प्रथम रसायनाध्याये पञ्चमो हरीतकी योग:

हरीतक्यादि रसायनम्‌

हरीतक्यामलकबिभीतक…..जराव्याधिपापाभिचारज्य-

पगतभय: शरीरेन्द्रियबुद्धिबलमतुलमुपलभ्याप्रतिहत-

सर्वारम्भ: परमायुरवापरुयात्‌ |

Chakra Dutta, Arsha Chikita, 5- 9

लिंग अर्श पथ्यादि वर्ति 

महा बोधिप्रदेशस्य पथ्या कोषातकीरज: |

कफेन लेपतो हन्ति लिंग वर्त्तिमसंशयम्‌ ||

Chakra Dutta, 40- 12

शलेष्मवातज वृद्धिरोगे

हरीतकीं मूत्रसिद्धां सतैलां लवणान्विताम्‌ |

प्रात: प्रातश्च सेवेत कफ वातामयापहाम्‌ ||

Chakradutta, 25- 44

आमवाते पथ्यादि चूर्णम

पथ्या विश्वयमानीभिस्तुल्याभि श्च चूर्णितं |

तक्रेणोष्णोदकेनापि अथवा काञ्जीकेँ वा ||

आमवातं निहन्त्याशु शोथ॑ मन्दा अग्नितामपि ||

Chakra Dutta Shleepada Chikitsa, 42- 12

श्लीपद हरीतकी प्रयोग: 

गन्धर्वतैल भ्रिष्टाम हरीतकीं गोजलेन य: पिबति |

श्लीपद बन्धनमुक्तो भवत्यसौ सप्तरात्रेण ||

सप्त जाते  हरिकती  उत्पति  स्थान           

विन्ध्याद्रौ विजया हिमाचल भवा स्यात चेतकी पूतना |

सिन्धौ स्यादथ रोहिणीम निगदिता जाता प्रतिस्थानके ||

Bhava Prakasha Nighantu Haritakyadi Varga

पाठान्तर 

चम्पायाममृता अभया च जनिता देशे सुराष्ट्रहये |

जीवन्तीति हरीतकी निगदिता सप्त प्रभेदा बुधहै: |

Bhava Prakasha Nighantu Haritakyadi Varga- 28- 29

उत्तमहरीतक्या लक्षणानि

नवा सिग्धा घना वृत्ता गुर्वी  क्षिप्ता च  वा अम्भसि |

निमज्जेत्सा प्रशस्ता च कथिता अतिगुणप्रदा ||

नवादिगुणयुक्तत्व॑ तथैवात्र द्विकर्षतः |

हरीतक्या:  फले यत्र ट्वयं तच्छेष्ठमुच्यते ||

हरीतक्या: प्रभावनिबन्धनं दोषान्तृत्व॑ न तु रसनिबन्धनम्‌

प्रश्न- स्वादुतिक्तकषायत्वात्पित्तहत्कफहत्‌  सा |

कटु तिक्तकषायत्वादम्लत्वाद्वातहच्छिवा  ||

पित्तकृत्कटुकाम्लत्वाद्वातकृन्न कथं  शिवा |

उत्तर- प्रभावादोषाहन्तृत्व॑  सिद्ध॑यत्तत्प्रकाश्यते |

हेतुभि: शिष्य बोधार्थ नापूर्व क्रियते अधुना ||

Bhava Prakasha Nighantu Haritakyadi Varga- 23- 26

सोदाहरण प्रभाव वैशिष्टयम्‌

कर्मन्यत्वं गुणै: साम्यं दृष्टमाश्रयभेदतः |

यतस्ततो नेति चिन्त्य॑ धात्रीलकुचयोर्यथा ||

Bhava Prakasha Nighantu Haritakyadi Varga- 27

हरीतक्यां तद्रसादीनां स्थानानि

प्रश्न- पथ्याया मज्जनि स्वादु: स्राय्वाम्लो व्यवस्थित: |

वृन्ते तिक्तस्त्वचि  कटुस्थिस्थस्तुवरो रस: ||

Bhava Prakasha Nighantu Haritakyadi Varga- 4- 5

उत्तर- प्रश्नमेतद्यथा पृष्ठ भगवन्वक्तुमहसि |

अशिनीर्वचनं श्रुत्वा दक्षो वचनमब्रवीत्‌ ||

प्रपात बिन्दुर्भदिन्यां शक्रस्य पिबतो अमृतम्‌ |

ततो दिव्यात्समुत्पन्ना सप्तजातिहरीतकी ||

Bhava Prakasha, Madhyama Khanda, 17- 18

छर्दिचिकित्सा 

हरीतकीनां चूर्णनतु लिहयान्माक्षिक संयुत्तम्‌ |

अधोमार्गीकृते दोषे छर्दि शीघ्र॑ निर्वर्तते || 

Bhava Prakasha, Stholya Adhikara, 39- 83

स्वेदा आधिक्य शरीर दौर्गंधे च ( मेदरोगे )

सुरया समभयाफल चूर्ण मधुनाविलिह्य: प्रत्यूषे |

स्वेदान्हत्वा लभते पुरुषो अप्यत्यन्तसौरभ्यम्‌ ||

Bhava Prakasha, Madhyama Khanda, 39- 75

स्वेदाधिक्य निवारणार्थे ( मेदोरोगे )

हरीतकीं तु सम्पिष्य गात्रमुद्वर्तयेन्नर: |

पश्चात्सानं प्रकुर्वीत देहस्वेद प्रशान्तये ||

Bhava Prakasha, Sthoulya Adhikara, 39- 71

कुक्षीयदुर्गन्धिनाशने (मेदविकारे )

बिल्बशिवा समभागा लेपाद्‌ भुजमूलगन्धमपहरति ।

परिणत पिडिकाञ्चापि पूती करंजत्थबीजं वा ||

Bhava Prakasha, Vriddhi Braghna Adhikara, 43- 34, Chakra Dutta, 40- 16

ब्रघ्न  चिकित्सायाम्‌

भृष्टश्च एरंडतैलेन सम्यक्कल्को अभयाभव: |

कृष्णासैन्धव संयुक्तो ब्रघ्न रोग हर: पर: ||

Bhava Prakasha, Shleepada Adhikara, 45- 15

श्लीपदे (एरण्डतैल सिद्ध) हरीतकी प्रयोगम

गंधर्व तैल सिद्धां हरीतकीं गो अम्बुना पिबेन्रित्यम्‌ |

श्लीपद बन्धनमुक्तो भवत्यसौ सप्तरात्रेण ||

Bhava Prakasha, Updansha Adhikara, 51/ 36- 37

उपदंश चिकित्सायां वराआदि गुग्गुलु 

Bhava Prakasha, Kusth Roga Adhikaram, 54- 52

कुष्ठे पथ्यादि लेपम 

Chakra Dutta, 31- 26

हृदयरोग चिकित्सायां वल्लभ घृतम्‌

मुख्य शतार्द्ध हरीतकीनां सौवर्चलस्यापि पल्लदयश्च ।

पकत्वम घृत॑ वल्लभकेति नाम्ना हच्छवासशूलोदर मारुतघ्रम्‌ ||

Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana, 1- 1/ 77

रसायने हरीतक्यादि योग:

हरीतक्यामलकबिभीतक……त्रिवर्षप्रयोगादस्य वर्षशतमजरं

वय तिष्टति श्रुतमवत्तिष्‌ठते, सर्वामया: प्रशाम्यन्ति, अधृष्यो भूतानां भवति।

Bhava Prakasha Nighantu Haritakyadi Varga, 29- 32

हरीतकी गुणा:

हरीतकी पञ्च रसा अलवणा तुवराः परम्‌।

रूक्षोष्णा दीपनी मेध्या स्वादुपाका रसायनी ||

चक्षुष्या लघुरायुष्या बूंहणी चानुलोमिनी |

श्वासकासप्रमेहार्श:  कुष्ठशोथोदर क्रिमीन्‌ ||

वैस्वर्यग्रहणीरोगविबन्ध विषमज्वरान्‌ |

गुल्माध्मानतृषाछर्दि हिक्का कण्डू हृदामयान्‌ ||

कामलां  गुल्मानाहं प्लीहानञ्च  यकृत्तथा |

अश्मरीं मूत्रकृच्छ्श्च  मूत्राघातञ्च  नाशयेत्‌  ||

Bhava Prakasha Nighantu Haritakyadi Varga, 1- 3

हरीतक्या उत्पत्ति कथा

प्रश्न- दक्ष॑ प्रजापतिं स्वस्थम अश्विनौ वाक्यमूचतु: |

कुत्तो हरीतकी जाता तस्यास्तु कति जातय: ||

रसा: कति समाख्यात: कति चोपरसा: स्मृता: |

नामानि कति चोक्तानि किं वा तासां च लक्षणम्‌ ||

के च वर्णा गुणा: के च का च कुत्र प्रयुज्यते |

केन द्रव्येण संयुक्ता कांश्च रोगान्व्यपोहति ||

Asvini Devas, the divine physician, enquired Daksa Prajapati about the characters and properties of Haritaki in the following manner. “What is the origin of Haritaki? How many types are there, or varieties are there? How many are the mainly perceivable Rasas (taste principles)? How many are the associated Rasas? How many are the synonyms? What are the different characters in each type? What are the different colors and characters? Which variety is indicated in which disease? Combining which drug or substance can remove which diseases? You are requested to answer these queries in the same order. After listening to the questions posed by Ashvini Kumaras, Daksa answered them like this. When lord Indra was consuming divine nectar, a few drops fell on the ground, and due to its divine origin, grew the seven types of Haritaki.

Raja Nighantu, Amradi varga, 216

हरीतकी गुणा: 

हरीतकी पञ्चरसा च रेचनी कोष्ठामयघनी लवणेन वर्जिता।

रसायनी नेत्रुजापहारिणी त्वगामयघनी किल योगवाहिनी ||

Raja Nighantu, Amradi varga, 217

अन्यच्च           

बीज अस्थि तिक्ता मधुरा तदन्तस्त्वग्मागतः सा कटुष्णवीर्या |

मांसांशतश्चाम्लकषाययुक्ता हरीतकी पंञ्च रसा स्मृतियम्‌ ||

Raja Nighantu, Amradi varga, 228

हरते प्रशमं व्याधीन्‌ भूयस्तरति यद्दपुः |

हरीतकी तु सा प्रोक्ता तत्र कौर्दीपिवाचक: ||

Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana, 5- 154/ 160

गुल्मे दन्ती हरीतकी योग:

Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana, 16/ 68

गोमूत्र हरीतकी

हरीतकी प्रयोगेण गोमूत्रेणाथवा पिबेत |

जीर्णे क्षीरिण भंज्जित रसेन मधुरेण वा ||

Chakra Dutta, Vriddhi Bradhn Chikitsa, 40- 13

चिरकालीन वृद्धिरोगे रुबुतैलभृष्टहरीतकी प्रयोग:

गोमूत्रसिद्धां रुबुतैल भृष्टां हरीतकीं सैन्धवचूर्णयुक्ताम्‌ |

खादेन्नर: कोष्ठजलाम्बुपानां निहन्ति वृद्धि चिरजां प्रवृद्धाम्‌ ||

Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana, 20/ 21

छर्दिरोगे

चूर्णानि लिहयान्मधुना अभयानां हृद्यानि वा यानि विरेचनानि |

मद्ये: पयोभिश्च युत्तानि युक्त्या नयन्त्यधो दोषमुदीर्ण मूर्ध्यम्‌ ||

Bhava Parkasha Madhyama Khanda, Jwara Adhikara, 1/ 670

ज्वरे (सदाह) पथ्या अवलेहम्‌

पथ्यां तैलघृत क्षोद्रे लिहयादाहविनाशिनीम्‌ |

Bhava Parkasha, Arsha Adhikara, 5/ 95, Vrinda Madhava, 5- 16

अर्शरोगे सगुडाभया योग:

पित्तश्लेष्मप्रशमनी कण्डूकुक्षिरुजा अपहा |

गुदजान्नाशयत्याशु भक्षिता सगुडा अभया ||

Bhava Parkasha Rasayana Adhikara, 73- 8

रसयानर्थे ऋतुहरीतकी

सिन्धूत्थ शर्करा शुण्ठीकणामधुगुडे क्रमात |

वर्षा आदिव्वभया प्राश्या रसायनगुणैषिणा ||

Bhava Prakasha Nighantu Haritakyadi Varga, 11- 12

विविध प्रयोजनेषु हरीतकी प्रयोगा:

विजया सर्वरोगेषु रोहिणी व्रणरोहिणी |

प्रलेपे पूतना योज्या शोधनार्थे अमृता हिता ||

अक्षिरोगे अभया शस्ता जीवन्ती सर्वरोगहत्‌ |

चूर्णर्थे चेतकी शस्ता यथायुक्त प्रयोजयेत्‌ ||

Bhava Prakasha Nighantu Haritakyadi Varga, 13

चेतकी ( हरीतकी ) जातय:

चेतकी द्विविधा प्रोक्ता श्वेता कृष्णा च वर्णतः |

षड अंगुलायता शुक्ला कृष्णा त्वेकागुला स्मृता ||

Bhava Prakasha Nighantu Haritakyadi Varga, 18

विजया (हरीतकी) प्राधान्यम्‌

सप्तनामापि जातीनां प्रधानां विजया स्मृता |

सुखप्रयोगा सुलभा सर्वरोगेषु शस्यते ||

Bhava Prakasha Nighantu Haritakyadi Varga, 15- 16

प्रभावात्‌ विरिचनम्‌

क्वचिदास्त्वादमात्रेण काचिद्वन्थेन भेदयेत्‌ |

क्वचिदत्स्पर्शन दृष्टया अन्या चतुर्द्धा भेदयेच्छिवा ||

चेतकी पादपच्छायामुपसर्पन्ति वे नरा: |

भिद्यन्ते तत्क्षणादेव पशुपक्षिमृगादय: ||

चेतकी  तु धृता हस्ते यावत्तिषठति देहिन: |

तावद्धिदेत वेगैस्तु प्रभावान्नात्र संशय: ||

Bhava Prakasha Nighantu Haritakyadi Varga, 17

सुखविरेचनार्थे प्रशस्तम्‌

नृपाणां सुकुमाराणां कृशानां भेषजद्विषम्‌ |

चेतकी  परम शस्ता हिता सुखविरेचनी ||

Chakra Dutta, Agni Mandya Chikitsa, 6- 75

अग्निमांद्य चिकित्सायां अभया प्रयोग:

विदह्मते यस्य च भुक्तमात्र॑ दहयेत हत्कोष्ठगलञ्च यस्य |

द्राक्षासितामाक्षिक संम्प्रयुक्तो लीढ़वा अभयां वै स सुख लभेत ||

Chakra Dutta, Agni Mandya Chikitsa, 6- 76

हरीतकी धान्यतुषोदकसिद्धा सपिप्पली सैन्धव हिंगुसंयुक्ता |

सोद्वारधूम॑ भूशमप्यजीर्ण विक्षिप्य सद्यो जनयेद्‌ क्षुधाञ्च  ||

Chakra Dutta, Arsha Chikitsa, 5- 16

सगुडकणा अभया प्रयोग:

सगुडां पिप्पलीयुक्तामभयां घृतभर्जिताम्‌ |

Chakra Dutta, Rakta Pitta Chikitsa, 7- 83

रक्तपित्ते अभया प्रयोग:

अभयामधुसंयुक्ता पाचनी दीपनीमता |

श्लेष्माणं रक्तपित्त्नञ्च  हन्ति शूलातिसारनुत्‌ ||

वासकस्वरसे पथ्य सप्तधा परिभाविता |

कृष्णा वा मधुना लीढा रक्तपित्त द्रुतम जयेत्‌ ||

अभयाशुण्ठी प्रयोग;

भवेदजीर्ण प्रति यस्य शंका सनिग्धस्य जन्तोरबलिनो अन्नकाले।

पूर्व सशुण्ठी मभयामशड: स प्राश्य भुञ्जित हितं हिताशी ||

Chakra Dutta, Agni Mandya Chikitsa, 6/ 81- 82

अग्निमांद्य पथ्या त्रिकम्‌ 

पथ्यापिप्पलिसंयुक्त॑ चूर्ण सौवर्चल पिबेत |

मस्तुनोष्णोदकेनाथ बुद्धवा दोषगति भिषक्‌ ||

चतुर्विधमजीर्णञ्च मन्दानलमथारुचिम्‌ |

आध्मानं वातगुल्मञ्चशूलश्ञाशु नियच्छति ||

Chakra Dutta, Chardi Chikitsa, 15- 9

छर्दिरोगे हरीतकी चूर्णम्‌

हरीतकीनां  चूर्णनतु लिहयान्नान्माक्षिक संयुत्तम्‌ |

अधोभागी कृते छर्दि क्षिप्र॑ निवर्तये ||

Chakra Dutta, Madatya Chikitsa, 18- 16

मदात्यय चिकित्सायां मद-मूच्छा प्रतिकारार्थं 

पथ्या क्वाथेन संसिद्ध घृतम धात्रीरसेन वा |

सर्पि कल्याणकं वा अपि मदनमूर्च्छाहरम पिबेत्‌ ||

Chakra Dutta, Aam Vata Chikitsa, 25- 11

आम वात  हरीतकी प्रयोग 

एरण्डतैलसंयुक्तां हरीतकीं भक्षयेन्नरो  विधिवत्‌ |

आमानिलार्त्तियुक्तो, गुध्नसिवृद्धयर्दितो नित्यम्‌ ||

Chakra Dutta, Shula Chikitsa, 26- 81

सर्वशूल शमनाय अभया प्रयोग:

मूत्रान्तः पाचितां शुष्कां लौहचूर्णसमन्वितान्‌ |

सगुडाभयामद्यात्‌ सर्वशूलशान्तये ||

Chakra Dutta, Udavarta Chikitsa, 28- 7

उदावर्त्त चिकित्सायां हरीतकी योगा:

हरीतक्यादि चूर्णम, इत्यादय: |

Chakra Dutta, 50/ 46

ग्रंथि रोगे हरीतकी चूर्णम्‌ द्वाक्षारसेन

कुष्ठ्घ्नाभ्यान्तर प्रयोगेषु गोमूत्रपक्व हरीतकी |

द्राक्षारसेन शोथपाण्ड्वामयहरी गुल्ममेह कफापहा |

कच्छूपामाहरी चैव पथ्या गोमूत्रसाधिता ||

Chakra Dutta, Kshudra Roga Chikitsa, 55/ 20

नखगत चिप्पोपचारार्थ अभया लेपः

स्वरसेन हरिद्राया: पात्रे कृष्णायसे अभयाम्‌ |

घृष्टा तज्जेन कल्केन लिम्पेक्षिप्य॑ पुनः पुनः ||

Ashtanga Hridya Uttara tantra, 40 – 48

वातकफविकारे

अभया अनिलकफे |

Vanga Sena Grehani, 168

ग्रहणीरोगे

तक्रेण वल्कल॑ पीत॑ स्निग्धं पथ्यातरुदभवम्‌ |

ग्रहणीम नाशयेत्‌ क्षिप्रमामरक्ताश्रित॑ ध्रुवम्‌ ||

Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana, 14- 67

अर्श 

गो मूत्रा व्युषित॑ दद्यात्‌ सगुडां वा हरीतकीम्‌ ||

हरीतकीं तक्र युतं त्रिफलां वा प्रयोजयेत् |

Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana, 14- 119

सगुडां पिप्पलीयुक्तां घृत भृष्टां हरीतकीम्‌ |

त्रिवृद्न्तीयुतां वापि भक्षयेदानुलोमिकीम्‌ ||

Sushruta Samhita Chikitsa Sthana, 6/ 13

ब्रह्मचारी गोमूत्र द्रोणसिद्ध वा हरीतकीशत॑ प्रातर्यथाबलं क्षौद्रेण |

Charaka Samhita Chikitsa Sthana, 14- 65

सगुडां अभयां वापि प्राशयेत्‌ पौर्वभक्तिकीम्‌ |   

Specific Formulation of Haritaki

Specific FormulationsIndication
Haritkyadi ChurnaUdavarta
Haritkyadi KwathaMutra Kriccha, Vibandha
Agastya HaritakiKasa, Swasa
Chitraka HaritakiGulma, Udavarta
Haritaki KhandaAmlapitta, Asta Viddha Shula
Haritkyadi ParlepaVaivarnya
Vatari GugguluGridhrasi, Amavata
Danti HaritakiGrahani, Anaha
Triphala GugguluArsha, Shotha
AbhyaaristaArsha, Varcho Vivandha
Triphala GhritaTimira, Kamala
Dashmula GhritaUdara Roga, Arochaka

Abhyadi Modaka, Vyaghri Haritaki, Panch Skara Churna, Pathya Avleha, Abhya Lepa, Amrita Haritaki, Dasamula Haritaki, Pathyadi Vati, etc are also the important formulation of Haritaki.

Ritu Haritaki

To achieve Rasayana Karma one has to consume Haritaki with different Anupana (vehicle) in different Ritu (season). This is a unique concept of Ayurveda.

Ritu (season)Anupana (vehicle)
Varsha (rainy season)Saindhava Lavana (rock salt)
Sharada (autumn season)Sharkara (sugar)
Hemanta (early winter)Shunthi (dry ginger)
Sishira (late winter)Kana/ Pippali (long pepper)
Basanta (spring)Madhu (honey)
Grishma (summer)Guda (jaggery

The action of Haritaki on Dosha with Anupana

Dosha HaratvaAnupana
Kapha HaraSaindhava Lavana (rock salt)
Pitta HaraSharkara (sugar)
Vata HaraGhrita (clarified butter)
Tridosha HaraGuda (jaggery)

Haritaki Prayoga Bhedena Phalabheda

  • Charvita- Chewed and swallowed increases Agni.
  • Peshitta (Powder)- When triturated acts as Malasodhaka (Purifies feces).
  • Swinna- When boiled, it acts as Sangrahi (Astringent).
  • Bhrista- When fried acts as Tridoça Samaka (Counters Triodosa).
  • Saha Bhojana- When taken with food, it Unmilini buddhi, Bala, Indriyanam (Improves intellect, Strength, and functions of sense organs) Nirmulini, Pitta Kaphanilan (Passifies Tridosa), Visramsini mutra, Sakrnmalanam (Evacuates faces and acts as a diuretic).
  • Paschat Bhojana- Annapanakratandosan Vatapitta, Kaphodbhavan Harati (Alleviates the diseases occurred because of improper food and also alleviates Triodosa)

Contraindication and side effects of Haritaki

  • Bhava Prakasha Nighantu Haritakyadi Varga- 35

Contraindications

अध्वातिखिन्नो बलवर्जितश्च रूक्ष: कृशो लंघन कर्षितश्च। 

पित्ताधिको गर्भवती च नारी विमुक्तरक्तस्त्वभयां न खादेत ।।

Haritaki Bhakshnanarha (contraindication)

  • Adhwatikhinna – tired of walking
  • Bala Varjita – Weak
  • Ruksha – who has dryness in body
  • Krisha – Lean
  • Langhana Karshita – tired of observing fasting
  • Pittadhikya – Excessive aggravation of Pitta
  • Garbhvati- Pregnant
  • Vimukta Raktata – one who underwent bloodletting

Suggestive reading regarding Terminalia chebula

  • Kolla, Jayaprakash & Kulkarni, Nagaraj. (2018). Terminalia chebula Retz. – an important medicinal plant. Herba Polonica. 63. 10. 1515/ hepo- 2017- 0024.
  • Bag, Anwesa & Bhattacharyya, Subir & Chattopadhyay, Rabiranjan & Rashid, Rumiza. (2013). The development of Terminalia chebula Retz (Combretaceae) in Clinical Research. Asian Pacific journal of tropical biomedicine. 3. 244- 52. 10. 1016/ S2221- 1691 (13) 60059- 3.
  • Khan, Mohd Masih. (2011). Terminalia chebula: A review on its Pleiotropism. Journal of Pharmacy Research.
  • Afshari AR, Sadeghnia HR, Mollazadeh H. A Review on Potential Mechanisms of Terminalia chebula in Alzheimer’s Disease. Adv Pharmacol Sci. 2016; 2016: 8964849. doi: 10. 1155/ 2016/ 8964849. Epub 2016 Jan 28. PMID: 26941792; PMCID: PMC4749770.
  • Peterson CT, Denniston K, Chopra D. Therapeutic Uses of Triphala in Ayurvedic Medicine. J Altern Complement Med. 2017 Aug; 23 (8): 607- 614. doi: 10. 1089/ ACM. 2017. 0083. Epub 2017 Jul 11. PMID: 28696777; PMCID: PMC5567597.
  • Saxena S, Lakshminarayan N, Gulli S, Kumar M. Antibacterial Efficacy of Terminalia Chebula, Terminalia Bellirica, Emblica Officinalis and Triphala on Salivary Streptococcus Mutans Count – A Linear Randomized Cross Over Trial. J Clin Diagn Res. 2017 Feb; 11 (2): ZC47-ZC51. doi: 10. 7860/ JCDR/ 2017/ 23558. 9355. Epub 2017 Feb 1. PMID: 28384980; PMCID: PMC5376913.
  • Tarasiuk A, Mosińska P, Fichna J. Triphala: current applications and new perspectives on the treatment of functional gastrointestinal disorders. Chin Med. 2018 Jul 18; 13: 39. doi: 10. 1186/ s13020- 018- 0197- 6. PMID: 30034512; PMCID: PMC6052535.
  • Belapurkar P, Goyal P, Tiwari-Barua P. Immunomodulatory effects of Triphala and its constituents: a review. Indian J Pharm Sci. 2014 Nov -Dec; 76 (6): 467- 75. PMID: 25593379; PMCID: PMC4293677.
  • Khan, Mohd Masih & Khalilullah, Habibullah & Akhtar, Jawed & Elhassan, Gamal. (2016). TERMINALIA CHEBULA: AN EPHEMERAL GLANCE Review Article. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 7. 40- 43.
  • Afshari AR, Sadeghnia HR, Mollazadeh H. A Review on Potential Mechanisms of Terminalia chebula in Alzheimer’s Disease. Adv Pharmacol Sci. 2016; 2016: 8964849. doi: 10. 1155/ 2016/ 8964849. Epub 2016 Jan 28. PMID: 26941792; PMCID: PMC4749770.
  • Bag A, Kumar Bhattacharyya S, Kumar Pal N, Ranjan Chattopadhyay R. Anti-inflammatory, anti-lipid peroxidative, antioxidant and membrane stabilizing activities of hydroalcoholic extract of Terminalia chebula fruits. Pharm Biol. 2013 Dec; 51 (12): 1515- 20. doi: 10. 3109/ 13880209. 2013. 799709. Epub 2013 Sep 5. PMID: 24004166.
  • Shen YC, Juan CW, Lin CS, Chen CC, Chang CL. NEUROPROTECTIVE EFFECT OF TERMINALIA CHEBULA EXTRACTS AND ELLAGIC ACID IN PC12 CELLS. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2017 Jun 5; 14 (4): 22- 30. doi: 10. 21010/ ajtcam. v14i4. 3. PMID: 28638863; PMCID: PMC 5471469.
  • Kim MS, Lee DY, Lee J, Kim HW, Sung SH, Han JS, Jeon WK. Terminalia chebula extract prevents scopolamine-induced amnesia via cholinergic modulation and anti-oxidative effects in mice. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2018 May 2; 18(1): 136. doi: 10. 1186/ s12906- 018- 2212- y. PMID: 29716575; PMCID: PMC 5930767.
  • Bag A, Bhattacharyya SK, Chattopadhyay RR. The development of Terminalia chebula Retz. (Combretaceae) in clinical research. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed. 2013 Mar; 3 (3): 244- 52. doi: 10. 1016/ S2221-1691 (13) 60059- 3. PMID: 23620847; PMCID: PMC 3631759.
  • Jokar A, Masoomi F, Sadeghpour O, Nassiri-Toosi M, Hamedi S. Potential therapeutic applications for Terminalia chebula in Iranian traditional medicine. J Tradit Chin Med. 2016 Apr; 36 (2): 250- 4. doi: 10. 1016/ s0254-6272 (16) 30035- 8. PMID: 27400482.
  • Gujarathi RA, Dwivedi R, Vyas MK. An observational pilot study on the effect of Gomutra Haritaki, diet control, and exercise in the management of Sthaulya (obesity). Ayu. 2014 Apr; 35 (2): 129- 34. doi: 10. 4103/ 0974-8520. 146206. PMID: 25558156; PMCID: PMC 4279317.
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  • Nariya MB, Shukla VJ, Ravishankar B, Jain SM. Comparison of Gastroprotective Effects of Triphala Formulations on Stress-induced Ulcer in Rats. Indian J Pharm Sci. 2011 Nov; 73 (6): 682- 7. doi: 10. 4103/ 0250- 474 X. 100252. PMID: 23112406; PMCID: PMC 3480757.
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Ayurveda is an Indian system of medicine that is popular since ancient times. Dr. Gupta’s IAFA® has been conducting research studies to find out different phytoconstituents of herbs and their action in the body. Such knowledge acquired by our experts is used in the preparation of medicines and providing the treatment facilities safely and effectively. IAFA® is the provider of safe and effective treatment for a wide range of diseases, mainly allergic diseases all based on Ayurveda.

Dr. Sahil Gupta completed his Bachelor of Ayurveda in Medicine and Surgery (B.A.M.S.) and Master’s Degree in Health Administration (MHA) India. He is Registered Ayurvedic Doctor & Vaidya in India having Registration No. 23780. He is the CEO and founder of IAFA. After completing BAMS, Dr. Sahil Gupta started practicing Ayruveda by giving prime importance to allergic disorders management. He became the first Ayurvedic doctor to cure Food Allergies through Ayurveda. Read More About Dr. Sahil Gupta.

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