Haritaki Or T. Chebula

Minute Observations With Herbs

Haritaki or Terminalia chebula - The Ayurvedic herb that is most frequently used in herbal formulations and herbal remedies of Ayurveda. It is one of the mildest herb without any side effects.

Maintaining the great scientific nature of Ayurvedic texts, The ancient herbalists expressed its properties and based on their experiences, they advised not to take this medicinal herb under these conditions.

Haritaki According To Charaka:

 Reputed as the Father of Indian Medicine, he advised not to use this herb in following conditions.

• Persons who suffer indigestion after eating a lot of dry foods.

• Persons who are emaciated by over use of sex, wine and poisons and addictive substances and by fasting too much.

• Persons who are feeling pangs of hunger or who have fasted for a long time, who are very thirsty.

Haritaki In Dhanavantari Nighantu:

Further guidelines were added in the classical text Dhanavantari Nighantu (The Materia Medica of Dhanvantari). They are as -

• Persons who feel great thirst as the complications of some disease like dehydration after diarrhea or vomiting.

• In Acute fevers.

• Persons who are very weak.

• During pregnancy.

Haritaki In Bhava Prakasha Nighantu:

Some other Indications by Bhava Prakash in his Materia Medica -

• Persons who are traveling a lot by walking.

• Persons who have suffered blood loss during accidents, injury or otherwise.

• Persons who are suffering from excessive and acute Pitta aggravation.

Personal Suggestion For Haritaki:

The contraindications mentioned above are relative. Haritaki has astringent taste and hot active  principle according to Ayurveda. It is for this reason that it was not suggested to take in the above mentioned conditions.

During pregnancy, herbs with dominant astringent taste are generally prohibited as fetus needs more nutritious and unctuous properties in diet and herbs. It is not avoided during pregnancy due to its laxative properties.

One can usually feel some dryness in body after taking haritaki for first few days. It can be easily overcome by taking it with milk. Milk will help to extract both water soluble and lipid soluble parts from this herb.

Other Side Effects:

There are no other side effects shown in any other studies that were conducted on minor preliminary levels. When you are taking the powder, its taste definitely create some persons to frown like children.

Drug Herb Interactions:

None is reported.

Effects Of Haritaki On Other Organs:

There is no study to support its ill effects on organs. However people enjoy haritaki and benefit from its use for a long long time particularly in India.

Ayurvedic texts explore its full potential by advising to take it daily throughout the year - Ritu Haritaki - using it as a seasonal tonic with different items in different seasons. Want to follow the lead..

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Learn the rejuvenative use of Terminalia chebula round the year according to Ayurveda>>>

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