Description:
In Ayurveda Haritaki / Harde is referred to as a herbaceous plant used primarily in various medicinal formulations. In Ayurveda, the philosophy of longevity is described in the Charka Samhita that it possesses five rasas, or tastes, out of the existing six as described in the Charka Samhita. These tastes are, respectively, sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter and astringent; Haritaki being devoid of the salty taste. Haritaki is hot, carminative, and it is light, works as an appetizer bringing about the stimulation of digestion, digestive, promoter of life. Tonic, a herb helping in the sustenance of youthful age, alleviates all diseases and provides strength to all the sense organs.

1. Botanical Name: Terminalia Chebula
2. Family: Combretaceae
3. Common Name: Haritaki,Harde, Harar, Harida, Black Myrobalan, Chebulic Myrobalan.

 Properties of Haritaki / Harde

1. Rasa (taste): sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter and astringent.
2. Virya (action): hot and light.
3. Vipaka (post-digestive effect): Sweet.
4. Guna (quality): Ruksha or rough.
5. Dosha Effect: Tridosha.

Benefits:

• Regular consumption of haritaki powder, fried in ghee, promotes longevity and boosts energy.
• It responds well to gastrointestinal ailments, tumours, ascites, piles, enlargement of liver-spleen, worms and colitis.
• Powdered haritaki, mixed with jaggery, works well in gout.
• Its powder, when mixed with honey and ghee, is an effective remedy for anaemia.
• Haritaki is combined with sunthi powder and given with hot water to lighten asthma and hiccups.
• Its decoction, when taken along with honey, is of great help in hepatitis and obesity.
• The herb improves memory and is salutary in dysuria and urinary stones.
• Haritaki helps in improving appetite and helps indigestion.
• It is a good nervine and helps with nervous weakness and nervous irritability and promotes the receiving power of the five senses.
• Since it is anti-inflammatory and astringent, it is helpful in urethral discharges like spermatorrhea and vaginal discharges like leucorrhea

How to use:
1-2 tablespoon before bedtime with plenty of warm water.