Nepali Name: Harro
Scientific Name: Terminalia chebula
English Name: Chebulic Myrobalan
Sanskrit Name: Haritaki

Sanskrit Synonyms:
HARITAKI, ABHAYA, PATHYA, PRAPARTHYA, PUTANA, AMRATA, JAYA, AVYATHA, HAIMAVATI, VAYASTHA, CETAKI, SIVA, PRANADA, NANDINI, ROHINI, VIJAYA, SIVA, PRAPATHYA, AMOGHA, JIVANIYA, VRTANA, NANDINI, SREYASI, JIVPRIYA, JIVNIKA, BHISAGUARA, JIVANTI, BHISAGUARA, JIVYA, DEVI, DEVYA, VAHNINETRA

Description:
A tall, large, deciduous tree. The stem bark is dark brown and falls of into irregular woody scales. The wood is brownish-gray and very hard and durable. The younger leaves have velvet hairs. The leaves are longer than broad, oval shaped, usually rounded at base and pointed leaf tip. At the base of the leaf blade, two large stalk less glands are present ( Terminalia bellirica has no glands) The leaves are arranged alternately /oppositely to each other. The flowers are small, creamy white, and sweet scented. The male flowers and bisexual flowers are seen. The flowers are arranged in simple or branched terminal spikes. The fruit is a drupe with single seed. The drupe is shiny, spindle shaped, greenish yellow and faintly angled. Size of the fruit varies. The fruit produces yellow dye. The fruit has characteristic 5 tastes namely sweet, sour, astringent, bitter and pungent . Fruits ripen during January-April


Distribution:
It grows in tropical and sub-tropical forests upto the height of 1500.

Part used:
Fruits, Roots, Bark

Phytochemical properties:
Its principal constituents are chebulagic, chebulinic acid and corilagin. In addition to these, amino acid, glucose, quinine and tannin are found.

Medicinal properties:
It is Astringent, Purgative, Rejuvenative, tonic, laxative, nervine, expectorant, anthelmintic and alterative and Stomachic. It is useful in asthma, piles and cough. It is also useful in healing of wounds and scalds. It is used as gargle against inflamation of mucous membrane of mouth. It is used in Tanning of leather and purification of petroleum. It helps in smooth evacuation. It is an effective purgative and helps in removing toxins and fats from the body, resulting in their reduced absorption.
Clinacal Reports:Effective in treating simple constipation . Short term clinical trials showed increase in frequency of stools and evacuation of bowels completely . Response was excellent in 90 % cases . Sachitra Ayur., 1983, 740  ; Part not known -- Decoction oral at 100 ml .effective in unspecified liver effects ; Fruit -- Hot water extract - External has astringent effect in human adult ; Dried fruit at 500 mg. oral antihepatotoxic in human ; Fruit oral antiinflammatory ; Fruit oral at 6g. active as laxative ; Ripe dried fruit active as antihepatotoxic Vs Hepatitis Virus in human adult ; Dried part powder oral in adult effective for common cold relief.

Dosage:
Powder: (for dysentery and dyspepsia) half teaspoonful twice daily. Or 3-6 gm
Decoction: 30 ml.
Do not take this herb if you are pregnant or if you are suffering from dehydration, severe exhaustion, and emaciation.

Ayruvedic preaparion:
Abhaya modaka, Triphala, Abhayarista etc.