Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) is a fruit extensively utilized in traditional medicine, particularly in Ayurvedic, Unani, and Siddha practices. It is often referred to as the "King of Medicines" due to its broad range of therapeutic benefits. Below is a summary of its key properties and benefits:

1. Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory:

   • Haritaki contains compounds such as chebulic acid, chebulinic acid, and chebulaginic acid, which exhibit strong antioxidant properties¹.

2. Digestive Health:

   • It acts as a digestive aid, providing benefits as a carminative, laxative, and antidiarrheal¹.

3. Liver and Metabolic Health:

   • Haritaki is traditionally used as a liver tonic and is beneficial in glucose and lipid metabolism. Studies have shown its potential in preventing hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis²³.

4. Antimicrobial:

   • It exhibits antibacterial properties and is used to treat a variety of infections¹.

5. Anti-diabetic:

   • Various studies have indicated that Haritaki can help in managing blood glucose levels¹.

6. Skin and Anti-aging:

   • Recent studies have demonstrated that Haritaki can reduce sebum production, facial erythema, and wrinkle severity when used as a supplement⁴.

7. Anti-cancer:

   • Haritaki has shown potential anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities indicative of potential anti-cancer benefits¹.

8. Cardioprotective:

   • It possesses cardioprotective properties, possibly due to its ability to neutralize free radicals and improve endothelial function¹.

Overall, Haritaki is a multifaceted medicinal herb that offers a wide range of health benefits. Further clinical studies are expected to explore and validate its therapeutic potential.

Footnotes

1. Md Rakibul Hassan Bulbul, "A comprehensive review on the diverse pharmacological perspectives of Terminalia chebula Retz," PubMed, 2022. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴ ↩⁵ ↩⁶

2. C P Thakur, "The Ayurvedic medicines Haritaki, Amala and Bahira reduce cholesterol-induced atherosclerosis in rabbits," PubMed, 1988. ↩

3. V. Maruthappan, "HYPOLIPIDEMIC ACTIVITY OF HARITAKI (TERMINALIA CHEBULA) IN ATHEROGENIC DIET INDUCED HYPERLIPIDEMIC RATS," NCBI, 2010. ↩

4. Mincy Chakkalakal, "Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Supplementation with Standardized Terminalia chebula Fruit Extracts Reduces Facial Sebum Excretion, Erythema, and Wrinkle Severity," PubMed, 2023. ↩

Dosage Recommendations

Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) is available in various forms and dosages can vary based on the preparation and the intended use. Here are some general guidelines from various studies:

1. Laxative Effect (Churna Form):

   • Generally, the dose for Haritaki powder (Churna) used in Ayurvedic medicine is about 3-6 grams per day¹.

2. Tablet Form:

   • In tablet form, typically, the dosage is around 1 gram per tablet, and up to 3 tablets are used, often taken in the morning on an empty stomach².

3. Clinical Study with Capsules:

   • A clinical study used 250 mg capsules of Haritaki fruit extract twice daily for eight weeks to observe skin health benefits³.

4. Managing Chronic Conditions:

   • In a study for chronic bronchitis, the dosage employed was 10 grams of a Haritaki-based preparation twice daily before meals for 12 weeks⁴.

Nutritional/Supplemental Facts

Haritaki is known for its rich phytochemical profile, containing numerous beneficial compounds. Here's a breakdown of its nutritional content and primary constituents:

1. Energy Value:

   • Haritaki fruit provides approximately 6.36 kJ/g of energy⁵.

2. Macronutrients:

   • Protein: 3.78%
   • Carbohydrate: 9.21%
   • Starch: 1.22%
   • Sucrose: 3.74%
   • Reducing Sugars: 7.56%
   • Reducing Substances: 11.5%⁵

3. Vitamins and Minerals:

   • Vitamin C: 369 ppm (parts per million), which highlights its significant antioxidant properties⁵.

4. Phytochemicals:

   • Contains hydrolyzable tannins (32-34%) which are known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties⁵.
   • Other notable compounds include ellagic acid, chebulinic acid, chebulagic acid, and various flavonoids⁶.

Key Takeaways

• Starting Dosage: Based on various studies, a safe starting dosage of Haritaki powder is around 3 grams per day. Adjustments can be made based on individual tolerance and the specific condition being addressed.
• Nutritional Profile: Haritaki is a rich source of protein, carbohydrates, and vitamin C, along with significant phytochemicals contributing to its therapeutic effects.

Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen to ensure it aligns with your specific health needs and conditions.

Footnotes

1. Md Rakibul Hassan Bulbul, "A comprehensive review on the diverse pharmacological perspectives of Terminalia chebula Retz," PubMed, 2022. ↩

2. Yogesh M. Jirankalgikar, "A comparative evaluation of intestinal transit time of two dosage forms of Haritaki [Terminalia chebula Retz.]," PMC, 2013. ↩

3. Mincy Chakkalakal, "Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Supplementation with Standardized Terminalia chebula Fruit Extracts Reduces Facial Sebum Excretion, Erythema, and Wrinkle Severity," PubMed, 2023. ↩

4. Jaiprakash Ram, "Clinical efficacy of Vyaghriharitaki Avaleha in the management of chronic bronchitis," PMC, 2013. ↩

5. Ali Ikram, "Exploring the amino acid profile and microbial properties of locally sweet preserved kachra hareer (Terminalia chebula)," PMC, 2020. ↩ ↩² ↩³ ↩⁴

6. Saurabh Upadhyay, "Evaluation of medicinal herbs as a potential therapeutic option against SARS-CoV-2 targeting its main protease," PMC, 2020. ↩