Harad

Botanical Name

Terminalia Chebula

Family

Lauraceae

Sanskrit

Haritaki, Abhaya

English

–

Hindi

Harad

Kannada

Alalekayi

Malayalam

Katukka

Telugu

Karakkaya

Tamil

Kadukkay

Marathi

Hirada

Distribution

Found in himalayan tracts, west bengal, maharashtra, madhya pradesh, bihar and assam

Parts Used

Fruits

Dose

Churna: 3-6 Gms

Chemical Constituents

Chebulinic acid, tannic acid, anthraquinone glycoside etc

Ayurvedic Properties

Quality (Guna)

Laghu, Ruksha

Taste (Rasa)

Madhura, Amla,Katu Katu, Tikta, Kashaya

Metabolism (Vipaka)

Madhura

Potency (Virya)

Ushna

Impact (Prabhava)

Rasayana

Pharmacological Action

  • Antifungal, antimicrobial,anti oxidant: it is effective in skin disorders
  • Antispasmodic: relieves different kinds of pains and cramps in the body
  • Purgative: a good purgative which helps in flushing out the toxins
  • Hypotensive: it balances the blood pressure
  • Reduces swellings and clears wounds

Therapeutic Uses

  • Its powder mixed with honey is a good remedy for anemia
  • Powder consumed with honey and ghee at bed time is a good rejuvinator
  • Decoction consumed will cure digestive disorders
  • In eye disorders it is found effective
  • Gargling with its decoction cures sstomatitis and sore throat
  • Asthma: powder of haritaki with shunti is given
  • Gout: powder of it is consumed along with jaggery

Some of the common formulations

Abhayarishta, abhraka bhasma, agastya haritaki rasayana, triphala kashaya, agnitundi vati etc