- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- India, Nepal, southern China and South-East Asia. Terminalia chebula; triphala also contains Terminalia bellirica and amla (Phyllanthus emblica)
- Other names
- Triphala
Asia · Herb · № 139
Terminalia chebula
Herb · Asia
Haritaki and triphala
Terminalia chebula
Haritaki is used in Ayurveda as a rejuvenating remedy and gentle laxative. Triphala, a blend of three fruits, is the best-known Ayurvedic formula for digestion. Clinical research is limited.
Safety notes
May cause diarrhoea and cramps. Avoid in pregnancy. Ayurvedic products can be contaminated with heavy metals; choose tested brands.
Cautions by tradition (2)
- Herbal medicine worldwide: Not in pregnancy.
- Chinese materia medica: Not for cough from an external disease or lodged damp heat.
Preparation
Dried fruits as powder (churna) in water, as decoction or mouthwash. No dosage is given here.
Use in traditions
In Tibetan medicine haritaki is called the 'king of medicines'; the Medicine Buddha is often depicted holding a branch of this fruit. Ody describes triphala as one of the most widely used Ayurvedic blends.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Herbal medicine worldwide
Attributed effects
Bibhitaki and haritaki astringent, rejuvenating, loosen mucus, laxative, expel worms, antiseptic; arjuna protects the heart and liver, mildly diuretic.
Preparation and amount
Compress of crushed bibhitaki fruits on closed eyes for sore eyes; 1 tsp powder with 1 tsp honey for sore throat and voice problems; gargle; arjuna bark tincture 40 drops up to 5 ml a day to protect the heart, for angina and heart rhythm disorders; haritaki 1 tsp per cup as a tonic for the airways and digestion, as a wash for ulcers.
Caution: Not in pregnancy.
Everyday Ayurveda
Attributed effects
Cleanses the scalp; scrub improves circulation and helps with weight loss and cellulite. Supports circulation and weight loss (scrub).
Preparation and amount
Powder in shampoo paste for the scalp; 2 cups in dry body scrub (with masoor and neem). Powder as an optional addition to the dry body scrub.
Chinese materia medica
- Nature and taste
- bitter, sour, astringent, neutral
- Meridians
- lung, stomach, large intestine
Attributed effects
In Chinese medicine he zi is used as an astringent: in chronic diarrhoea and dysentery (hot or cold), and to stop cough, strengthen the throat and remedy loss of voice.
Preparation and amount
Traditional dosage: 3–9 g a day, usually in a decoction. In Ayurveda the laxative action is actually foremost, especially in triphala.
Combinations
- With huang lian and mu xiang for hot dysentery
- With dried ginger for cold dysentery
Caution: Not for cough from an external disease or lodged damp heat.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- DecoctionTinctureCompress, poultice and pasteSyrup, honey and oxymelPowder and kitchen
- Formulas
- Xiang sheng po di wan