Amazing Health Benefits of Haritaki, an Ayurvedic Herb

Haritaki or Terminalia chebula is a tree native to southern Asia and India. It is a dried fruit of the tree that has a long history of use in Ayurveda - the traditional medicine of India. Sometimes also referred to as "chebulic myrobalan," haritaki is one of three dried fruits that make up the famous ayurvedic herb – Triphala which is a blend of Haritaki, Amalaki, and Bibhitaki. It is available in a powder or dietary supplement form having a bitter taste. It is a great source of vitamin C and substances found to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

People use haritaki to promote the healing procedure of different conditions ranges from a sore throat and allergies to constipation and indigestion. In Ayurveda, haritaki is said to be a supportive stand of the "Vata" dosha.

Some of the best health benefits of Haritaki are –

There's a lack of clinical experiments supporting the claims that haritaki can improve your overall wellness. So far as now, most of the evidence for haritaki's health effects comes from preliminary, animal-based research and laboratory studies. However, preliminary research in humans suggests it may offer certain health benefits listed below –

Cavity Prevention:

As per the 2010 study published on Oral Health & Preventive Dentistry, it has been claimed that haritaki-based mouthwash may help to prevent cavities. Across 30 people were given either distilled water or a mouthwash made with haritaki. Investigators have analyzed saliva samples collected after rinsing and found the haritaki-based mouthwashes were significantly more effective in tumbling the levels of bacteria linked to the development of cavities.

Pain Relief:

Haritaki may also be helpful with pain management which is suggested by a small study published in the Journal of Anaesthesiology Clinical Pharmacology in 2016. Researchers have experimented with this on the participants by a single oral dose of Terminalia chebula or a placebo and found it increased pain threshold and pain tolerance as compared to the placebo. Further studies have found that haritaki extracts promise for curing knee pain as well.

Cholesterol:

According to a 2010 study from the Journal of Advanced Pharmaceutical Technology & Research, it has been determined that haritaki helped a lot to reduce total cholesterol in mice. It is also found that haritaki has helped in reducing the high levels of triglycerides, which is a type of blood fat known to increase heart disease risk when it occurs at elevated levels.

Oxidative Stress:

Haritaki also helps in increasing the expression of antioxidants that have been found to fight oxidative stress, from Cell Biochemistry and Function. The ayurvedic practitioners have observed that treatment with haritaki helped boost concentrations of several antioxidants, including Glutathione, Superoxide dismutase, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E.

Blood Sugar:

After having many studies and practices, it has been revealed that haritaki may help treat the condition by lowering blood sugar levels. It also helps in reducing the breakdown of starch into glucose that in turn regulates the secretion of insulin and leads to lower the blood sugar level

Possible Side Effects:

Since haritaki may have reduced blood sugar levels, there are some concerns for using it in combination with blood-sugar-lowering medications that may have harmful effects. Thus it is highly recommended to consult your doctor prior to using haritaki in combination with blood-sugar-lowering drugs (such as diabetes medications).

Important - Haritaki should not be used by pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children, those with medical conditions, or people who are taking medications without consulting a doctor.

In ayurvedic medicine, haritaki is being considered as a powerful adaptive herb that boosts the body's resilience to stress. It may minimize the harmful effects of stress on the body, but it isn't known for having soothing properties like other stress-relieving herbs. The haritaki fruit has a sweet and sour with a harsh taste. If you're considering trying it, talk with your primary care provider first.