Haritaki Benefits: Super Herb for Health, Beauty and Spirituality

Haritaki is a fruit of the myrobalan tree of the species Terminalia chebula, commonly referred to as chebulic myrobalan, which is native to India. Still, they are also widely distributed in Srilanka, Nepal, and China. The fruit is less than an inch in size. Haritaki is known by many names in different regions, such as hard, haradey, kayakalpa, and kadukkai.

Haritaki uses are extensive in Ayurveda and Siddha practices. Its laxative, purgative, antioxidant, astringent, and anti-bilious nature makes consuming and curing several ailments easier. Read on to know how Haritaki benefits health in different ways.

How is Haritaki Collected? 

It is often collected in its raw stage when the fruit is green in colour. The fruit is oblong. It is dried until it gets dark in colour. Then they are powdered to make Ayurvedic medicine. The potency of the fruit depends upon the fruit, where it grew, its colour, and its shape of the fruit. Fruits are collected by local communities and are supplied to Indian pharmaceutical companies, which has been the norm in India for many years.

Haritaki Benefits

It is a valuable herb in Ayurveda medicine because of its versatile health benefits. Ayurvedic practitioners suggest people include Haritaki powder in their diets because it balances the elements like ether and air. The ether and air combined are said to cause 80% of all diseases in Ayurveda.

It treats a list of illnesses, including chronic and short-term diseases. Haritaki powder is rich in nutrients and has the necessary elements for your body. Some of them are as follows:

• Vitamin C 
• Vitamin K 
• Magnesium 
• Flavonoids 
• Amino acids 
• Antioxidants 

It is just one part of an Ayurvedic blend called Triphala. Bibhitaki and amla/Indian gooseberry are the others. Consuming Haritaki with different items can pacify air, fire, water, and earth elements in Ayurveda, such as taking it with ghee for air, little sugar for fire and heat, and a pinch of rock salt for water and earth.

A 2018 study states that each of the different types of fruit can be used in the ailment of specific illnesses, according to Ayurvedic researchers. [1] Haritaki benefits from a plethora of illnesses, according to a 2014 study. [2]

• Cough 
• Takes care of oral hygiene 
• Constipation, gas, and bloating 
• Helps in indigestion 
• Detoxification 
• Promotes weight loss 
• Skin disease 
• Improves metabolism 
• Boosts immunity 
• Improves male and female fertility 
• Boosts sexual health and stamina 
• Facial cleansing 
• Supports regular bowel movement 
• Tissue nourishment and rejuvenation 
• Helps alleviate anxiety

It benefits overall health and treats a variety of illnesses, as mentioned above. It also rejuvenates and nourishes all the tissues and organs while supporting immunity and metabolic activity. In addition, it can support libido and improve male and female fertility. 

Many eye problems are treated with Haritaki, including watery eyes, dry eyes, stye infection, watery eyes, inflamed eyes, and conjunctivitis. 

A 2017 study states that myrobalan fruit contains several compounds that help heart health, digestive support, and wound care. [3] Compounds that support applications are as follows: 

• Antifungal 
• Antibacterial 
• Antioxidant 
• Anticarcinogenic 
• Antidiabetic

Haritaki Benefits for Skin, Hair, and Nail Health

The antioxidant property-filled herb is regenerative and rejuvenating. Haritaki's benefits include beauty and the potential to improve your skin, hair, and nail health. In addition, you can put an end to various skin infections with Haritaki, like pimples, boils, rashes, acne, etc.

Haritaki Benefits for Skin

A 2019 research states that Haritaki helps address many skin diseases classified by Ayurveda. [4] It can be used daily for cleansing and improving your skin's health. Take some powder of Haritaki and create a paste with it by adding some water or rose water. If it dries, add a few drops of oil.

Cracked feet also get alleviated by mixing Haritaki powder, ghee, and water. The research was published in a 2014 study. [5]

Haritaki Benefits for Hair 

According to a 2021 study that found texts from classical Ayurveda, its powder is also used for hair dyes. There were no side effects present with such formulations as it has been used for generations. According to the research, using Haritaki on hair not only darkens the hair but also softens it. [6] 

Haritaki Benefits for Nails 

Since Haritaki's benefits include antimicrobial properties, it helps with nail bed infections, according to a 2019 study. [7]

Types of Haritaki 

The marketplace offers various forms of Haritaki, not to mention the most used form of Haritaki powder. It is a paste and jam-like formation that can be mixed with sugar syrup, ghee, or water. Haritaki is also prescribed in the form of a tablet or as herbal oil, depending on the ailment. It depends upon the individual's needs.

• Its powder or churna: Commonly available form 
• Legiyam or paste: When Haritaki powder is mixed with water, ghee, or other herbs, you get this form
• Thylam or oil: Oils can be mixed with haritaki and used directly on the skin, hair, nails, and even for oral consumption 
• Tablet: Haritaki tablets are a modern form made for busy consumers living a fast lifestyle and are for people who are accustomed to getting their medicines in pill form

Haritaki Varieties 

• Vijaya 
• Chetaki  
• Rohini  
• Putna  
• Jayanti  
• Abhaya  
• Amrita  

Haritaki Benefits in Spirituality 

Vedas, the ancient Hindu scriptures, paint a picture of how Haritaki came to be. It starts from a nectar drop that fell from Lord Indra's cup, which sprouted the deciduous tree. It can be interpreted as something that embodies Hari or Lord Shiva. He is one of the three Hindu gods who makes, keeps, and destroys creations.

This herb is also included in holistic health care, especially for dosha imbalances. Many people also believe that the herb is vital for spiritual balance. It is called a big golden fruit in Buddhism. It also has a connection to Budhha.

Haritaki is believed to have the main value of Buddhism - compassion. In addition, it is known for its regenerative potential as it cures various ailments. Mahayana Buddhism has The Medicine Buddha, who is an important icon in it. He holds the Haritaki fruit in both of his hands.

Additional Read: Weight-loss smoothies 

Haritaki Safety and Precautions

Its benefits are plenty. It is generally safe to have Haritaki powder in one of its forms, but if you overconsume it without consulting an ayurvedic doctor or healer, it could cause disorders. Dehydration, diarrhoea, jaw stiffness, and fatigue, among others.

Patients taking sugar-reducing medicines should check with their doctors before consuming Haritaki. Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers are also forbidden to use any haritaki formulation without a doctor's consultation. Do not make use of Haritaki under these circumstances: 

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding 
• If you have recently donated blood 
• If you experience fatigue 
• If you are suffering from diarrhoea 
• If you are dehydrated 
• If you take certain medications like sugar tablets or insulin

Knowing how having Haritaki benefits your health, you can easily include them in your daily diet or come up with an Ayurveda autumn diet for weight loss to get needed nutrition. But it is always safe to consult a doctor even though it is safe to consume haritaki powder regularly. 

Having too much of anything is never good for your overall health. However, you can add other elements to your food, like Ajwain, which is beneficial for your overall health.

To follow a healthy and balanced diet, talk to a nutritionist or an Ayurvedic doctor of your choice today. To make this process easy, get a doctor consultation with a click on Bajaj Finserv Health for an online appointment. This will help you understand what is right for being healthy. 

Or get the consultation if you have any other concerns like indigestion. You can also look up home remedies for indigestion on the Bajaj Finserv Health site. The best thing here is that you can book a Tele-consultation from your home and get all the advice you need online. With the convenience and safety this offers, you can start taking the best care of your health!