Background
- Haritaki is a common herbaceous plant used widely in Ayurvedic medicine, a traditional holistic medicine with origins in India. People eat the haritaki fruit in pickled or candied form and in fruit preserves.
- Haritaki is used as a medicine for many conditions, the most common being constipation, digestive conditions, and infection. Haritaki fruit contains chemicals that have laxative and astringent effects. It may have also antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-allergic, and diuretic properties. Well-designed human studies are needed to determine if haritaki is safe and effective for treating any medical condition.
References
Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to . Selected references are listed below.
- Ballabh, B, Chaurasia, OP, Ahmed, Z, et al. Traditional medicinal plants of cold desert Ladakh-used against kidney and urinary disorders. J Ethnopharmacol. 7-23-2008;118(2):331-339.
View Abstract - Carounanidy, U., Satyanarayanan, R., and Velmurugan, A. Use of an aqueous extract of Terminalia chebula as an anticaries agent: a clinical study. Indian J Dent.Res 2007;18(4):152-156.
View Abstract - Kim, HG, Cho, JH, Jeong, EY, et al. Growth-inhibiting activity of active component isolated from Terminalia chebula fruits against intestinal bacteria. J Food Prot. 2006;69(9):2205-2209.
View Abstract - Kumar, MS, Kirubanandan, S, Sripriya, R, et al. Triphala promotes healing of infected full-thickness dermal wound. J Surg.Res 2008;144(1):94-101.
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View Abstract - Meena, AK, Bansal, P, Kumar, S, et al. Estimation of heavy metals in commonly used medicinal plants: a market basket survey. Environ. Monit. Assess. 12-18-2009;
View Abstract - Murali, YK, Anand, P, Tandon, V, et al. Long-term effects of Terminalia chebula Retz. on hyperglycemia and associated hyperlipidemia, tissue glycogen content and in vitro release of insulin in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. Exp.Clin Endocrinol.Diabetes 2007;115(10):641-646.
View Abstract - Patel, RK, Gondaliya, DP, and Subramanian, S. Evaluation of commercial "Haradae" (Terminalia chebula). Indian Journal of Natural Products (India) 2004;19:511-518
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View Abstract - Sabu, MC and Kuttan, R. Anti-diabetic activity of medicinal plants and its relationship with their antioxidant property. J Ethnopharmacol. 2002;81(2):155-160.
View Abstract - Saravanan, S, Srikumar, R, Manikandan, S, et al. Hypolipidemic effect of triphala in experimentally induced hypercholesteremic rats. Yakugaku Zasshi 2007;127(2):385-388.
View Abstract - Senthilkumar, GP and Subramanian, S. Evaluation of antioxidant potential of Terminalia chebula fruits studies in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Pharmaceutical Biology (Netherlands) 2007;45:511-518
- Srikumar, R, Parthasarathy, NJ, Shankar, EM, et al. Evaluation of the growth inhibitory activities of Triphala against common bacterial isolates from HIV infected patients. Phytother.Res 2007;21(5):476-480.
View Abstract - Vonshak, A, Barazani, O, Sathiyamoorthy, P, et al. Screening South Indian medicinal plants for antifungal activity against cutaneous pathogens. Phytother.Res 2003;17(9):1123-1125.
View Abstract - Yukawa, TA, Kurokawa, M, Sato, H, et al. Prophylactic treatment of cytomegalovirus infection with traditional herbs. Antiviral Res 1996;32(2):63-70.
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