A Review of Pharmacological Efficacy & Traditional uses of Haritaki [Terminalia Chebula Retz]

Terminalia chebula Retz commonly known as Chebulic Myrobalan or Haritaki is one of the most important medicinal plants in Indian traditional system of medicine (Ayurveda, Unani and Siddha). Acharya Bhav Mishra described the Haritaki as first drug in Bhav Prakash Nighantu. It is called the “ King of Medicines “ in Tibet and is always listed first in the Ayurvedic Materia Medica because of its extraordinary powers of healing with a wide spectrum of biological activities. It is a well-known fact that all parts of Haritaki are useful in the treatment of various diseases. Among all, the most important part is fruit. Haritaki fruit is widely used in the Indian system of medicine as anti -inflammatory, anti-viral, antihyperlipidemic, antioxidant, anti -HIV, anti- ulcerative etc. Charak Samhita, Sushrut Samhita, Ashtanghridya and Nighantus have mentioned various uses of Haritaki in Atisar (Diarrhea), Prameha (Diabetes), Netraroga (Eye diseases), Amla pitta (Dyspepsia), Pandu (Anemia), Arsha (Piles), Ajeerna (Indigestion), Kamala (Jaundice). It is used as Rasayana (Rejuvenating), Medhya (brain tonic), Deepan (Appetizer), Aam Pachana (Digest Aama or Toxins), Srotas Shodhana (Cleaning the channels by detoxifying the metabolic waste). In this article, we discuss the biochemical constituents, traditional uses, medicinal value of Haritaki and its use as a household remedy. We also emphasized the mechanisms behind the pharmacological activities based on the recent research reports and tried to summarize the results of research done from past years.