Ayurveda, the standard medication of India, is filled with pure treatments for each well being woes and sweetness wants. One of many many versatile Ayurvedic herbs is haritaki.
Technically the fruit of the deciduous myrobalan plum tree, haritaki is taken into account an necessary herb in Ayurveda and Siddha medicine, each types of indigenous medication in India. The fruit itself is small, rectangular, and fewer than an inch in dimension.
The fruits are sometimes collected after they’re nonetheless inexperienced and uncooked after which dried till golden brown or black. They’re then powdered and made into Ayurvedic treatments. The fruit’s efficiency relies on the place the fruit was collected, its shade, and its form.
Haritaki is also called:
- harad
- haradey
- kaddukki (in South Asia)
- kayakalpa
In Tamil, it’s known as “kayakalpa,” a rejuvenator of the physique that balances all dosha, or humors. It’s sometimes called a “life-giving” herb.
Haritaki is prized in Ayurveda for its versatile well being purposes.
Vrinda Devani, OB-GYN and Ayurvedic practitioner of Banyan Botanicals and Ayurprana says that haritaki balances all the weather, particularly ether and air. The mix of ether and air is called Vata dosha, which is claimed to trigger 80 p.c of all illnesses in Ayurveda.
Devani notes that haritaki can also be excessive in:
Practitioners of Ayurveda embody it as a part of remedy for a bunch of illnesses, together with each short-term and persistent well being considerations.
Haritaki is one a part of the trifecta of the useful Ayurvedic mix, triphala, together with bibhitaki and amla, or Indian gooseberry.
“To pacify the air component (Vata), take it with ghee, or clarified butter,” says Devani. “To pacify fireplace and warmth (Pitta), you possibly can take it with a little bit sugar. To pacify water and earth (Kapha), you possibly can take it with a little bit rock salt.”
It’s necessary to at all times seek the advice of a professional herbalist earlier than you add any herb, together with haritaki, to your well being routine.
In keeping with a 2018 study, Ayurvedic researchers notice that every of the completely different seven forms of fruit are prescribed for particular illnesses.
In keeping with Devani and 2014 research, haritaki is helpful for:
- cough
- constipation, fuel, and bloating
- indigestion
- cleansing
- weight reduction
- pores and skin illness
- metabolism
- immunity
- fertility
- libido
- cleaning
- supporting common bowel actions
- nourishing and rejuvenating the tissues
“Haritaki is helpful for quite a lot of sicknesses,” says Devani. “One of many distinctive issues about haritaki is that as […] an herb that rejuvenates and nourishes all organs and tissues, it additionally helps immunity. It could assist reproductive challenges like libido and fertility.”
A 2017 pharmacological study of the extracts of the myrobalan fruit means that it incorporates a number of useful compounds that assist its utility as an:
- anticarcinogenic
- antifungal
- antibacterial
- antioxidant
- antidiabetic
These additionally play an element in coronary heart well being, wound care, and digestive assist.
Older 2013 research helps haritaki’s utility in hemorrhoids, however extra research are wanted.
As a rejuvenating and regenerative herb with antioxidant properties, haritaki is believed to have the potential to enhance the well being of the pores and skin, hair, and nails.
Pores and skin
In keeping with 2019 research, haritaki might assist tackle a wide range of pores and skin illnesses categorized by Ayurveda.
Devani recommends utilizing it for day-to-day pores and skin well being.
“Use it externally by making a paste with some water or rose water,” she says. “If it’s a little bit drying, add a number of drops of oil.”
In a 2014 study, a haritaki paste created with haritaki powder, ghee, and water helped alleviate cracked toes.
Hair
A 2021 study notes that classical Ayurvedic texts embody formulations for hair dyes utilizing haritaki powder, noting these formulations have been used for generations with no antagonistic results. The analysis additionally notes that haritaki not solely darkens however softens hair.
Nails
A 2019 study famous that haritaki’s antimicrobial properties could also be useful in assuaging nailbed an infection, although extra prime quality analysis is required.
Haritaki is out there in lots of varieties within the market. Along with the versatile and common powdered kind, a haritaki paste and a jam-like preparation made with ghee or sugar syrup are additionally accessible.
Relying on the ailment, Haritaki may be prescribed in pill kind or as an natural oil. Totally different varieties are prescribed based mostly on the person’s wants.
- Powder or churna. Probably the most generally accessible type of haritaki.
- Paste or Legiyam. Haritaki powder is blended with water, ghee, or different herbs.
- Oil or thylam. Oils might be infused with haritaki and used on the pores and skin, hair, nails, and in meals.
- Pill. Tablets are a considerably trendy type of haritaki designed for busy shoppers used to getting their medicines in pill-form.
Banyan Botanicals presents prime quality powdered haritaki in addition to haritaki tablets.
In keeping with historic Hindu scriptures known as the Vedas, a drop of nectar fell from the celestial cup of Lord Indra and sprouted the haritaki tree.
The title haritaki might be interpreted as “that which embodies Hari,” or Lord Shiva, considered one of three Hindu gods liable for the creation, maintenance, and destruction of the world.
As a cleaning and restorative herb, it’s included in holistic well being care to deal with dosha imbalances. Many consider it performs a job in religious stability as nicely.
In Buddhism, haritaki is known as “Huge Golden Fruit” and represents a connection to the Buddha. It’s believed to embody the core worth of Buddhism, compassion.
Haritaki is valued for its regenerative potential as a remedy for a lot of illnesses. The Medicine Buddha, an necessary icon in Mahayana Buddhism, is depicted as holding a haritaki fruit in each fingers.
Though haritaki is usually thought-about protected, some folks ought to keep away from it. Don’t take haritaki in the event you:
- are pregnant
- not too long ago donated blood
- expertise fatigue
- have diarrhea
- are dehydrated
- take anti-glycemic medications, like insulin or alpha-glucosidase inhibitors
Even in the event you aren’t experiencing one of many above, at all times speak with a professional herbalist earlier than taking haritaki.
Wish to be taught extra? Get the FAQs beneath.
How lengthy does it take haritaki to work?
Haritaki might positively impression short-term situations like respiratory illnesses, digestive, or pores and skin situations by means of topical purposes. For extra persistent situations, it could take a number of weeks for Haritaki to be impactful.
Natural medication isn’t a one-and-done kind of apply. Don’t count on herbs to work like taking an aspirin or antibiotic. They’re meant to work slowly over time with constant use at correct dosages.
The period of time it takes for herbs to take impact will differ relying on the dosage, concern being handled, and way of life components.
Can you’re taking haritaki day by day?
Usually talking, haritaki is taken into account protected for on a regular basis use, particularly when taken in small doses and blends similar to triphala.
Nonetheless, you must by no means take natural medication with out consulting a professional herbalist and your healthcare skilled.
When must you take haritaki?
When you must take haritaki is determined by your particular wants.
In keeping with Devani, when utilizing haritaki as a rejuvenating complement, it’s greatest consumed within the morning.
If taking it as triphala, some want taking it at evening to let the herbs do their work and put together the digestive system for waking. “For cleaning advantages, evening is most popular,” says Devani.
Nevertheless, you must at all times converse with a professional herbalist and your physician about when and the way a lot to take.
Is haritaki good to your liver?
Though there isn’t scientific analysis to assist it, Ayurveda signifies that haritaki might assist assist the liver’s position in eliminating toxins from the physique.
Nonetheless, at all times seek the advice of a professional practitioner earlier than taking haritaki to your liver.
Who shouldn’t take haritaki?
Pregnant ladies, current blood donors, and people taking anti-glycemic or anti-diabetic medication ought to keep away from taking haritaki.
You must also keep away from it in the event you’re excessively fatigued, have diarrhea, or are dehydrated.
Haritaki is an historic Ayurvedic herb with a wealthy historical past that may be simply included into trendy well being regimens. It could assist with digestion and cleansing in addition to quite a lot of well being points.
At all times speak with a professional herbalist and your healthcare skilled earlier than you start taking herbs.
Nandita Godbole is an Atlanta-based, Indian-origin meals author and creator of a number of cookbooks, together with her newest, “Seven Pots of Tea: An Ayurvedic Strategy to Sips & Nosh.” Discover her books at venues the place high-quality cookbooks are showcased, and comply with her at @currycravings on any social media platform of your selection.
