# Haritaki > Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) is a plant used in Ayurveda. No dedicated WHO monograph. Rich in phenolcarboxylic and tannic antioxidants (chebulagic acid, chebulinic acid, gallic acid, ellagic acid) that prevent oxidative stress and inhibit peroxide-induced reactions. ## Key facts - **Botanical name:** Terminalia chebula - **Pharmacopoeia status:** No dedicated WHO monograph. Listed in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (Part-I, Volume-I) with detailed therapeutic use descriptions. Also documented in Siddha Pharmacopoeia of India, Unani Pharmacopoeia of India, and Indian Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Called 'King of Medicine' in Tibetan medicine tradition. ## Names and identification | Language | Name | |----------|------| | English | Haritaki | ## How does it work? - Rich in phenolcarboxylic and tannic antioxidants (chebulagic acid, chebulinic acid, gallic acid, ellagic acid) that prevent oxidative stress and inhibit peroxide-induced reactions. - Chebulagic acid and chebulinic acid exert [antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/) effects via ROS scavenging and iron chelation. - [Neuroprotective](/reference/neuroprotective/): ellagic acid-containing extracts protect against H2O2-induced and amyloid-beta (Abeta25-35) toxicity in PC12 cells. - Anti-inflammatory effects attributed to chebulagic and gallic acid inhibition of inflammatory pathways. - Gallic acid and ellagic acid inhibit cytochrome P450 [enzymes](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#enzymes) and protect against mitochondrial dysfunction by increasing Cytochrome C oxidase levels. - [Antimicrobial](/reference/antimicrobial/) activity through tannin-mediated disruption of microbial cell membranes and enzyme inhibition. ## Modern Research (Meta-Analysis) **Total PubMed publications found:** 696 ### Key Research Papers #### 1. Anti-Aging Potential of Phytoextract Loaded-Pharmaceutical Creams for Human Skin Cell Longetivity. **Authors:** Jadoon Saima, Karim Sabiha, Bin Asad Muhammad Hassham Hassan et al. **Journal:** Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity (2015) **PMID:** 26448818 > The exposure to ultraviolet radiations (UVR) is the key source of skin sunburn; it may produce harmful entities, reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to aging. The skin can be treated and protected from the injurious effects of ROS by using various pharmaceutical formulations, such as cream. Cream can be loaded with antioxidants to quench ROS leading to photo-protective effects. Moreover, modern medicines depend on ethnobotanicals for protection or treatment of human diseases. This review article summarizes various in vivo antioxidant studies on herbal creams loaded with phyto-extracts. These formulations may serve as cosmeceuticals to protect skin against injurious effects of UVR. The botanicals studied for dermatologic use in cream form include Acacia nilotica, Benincasa hispida, Calen... #### 2. Terminalia chebula Retz. extract ameliorates the symptoms of atopic dermatitis by regulating anti-inflammatory factors in vivo and suppressing STAT1/3 and NF-ĸB signaling in vitro. **Authors:** Kim Hye Jin, Song Hyun-Kyung, Park Sun Haeng et al. **Journal:** Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology (2022) **PMID:** 35830757 > Terminalia chebula (TC) is a traditional medicinal plant used for treating various diseases in humans. However, pharmacological mechanisms underlying the effects of TC in atopic treatment remain unelucidated.... **Keywords:** Atopic dermatitis, Inflammation, NF-ĸB, STAT1, STAT3, Terminalia chebula #### 3. [Pharmacological activity of Terminalia chebula]. **Authors:** Zhang Xiu-Juan, He Li-Juan, Lu Qing et al. **Journal:** Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica (2016) **PMID:** 28871682 > Terminalia chebula Retz, known as the "king" of Mongolian and Tibetan medicines, is a drug for a wide range of diseases. The main chemical components of myrobalan include triterpene acid, galloyl [glucose](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#glucose), anthraquinonoid. The modern pharmacological studies show that myrobalan has multiple biological activities, including antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidation as well as anti-tumor. Based on domestic and foreign literatures in recent years, this paper gave a review on the advance of studies for pharmacological activity of T. chebula. and its active components, so as to provide a reference for the in-depth studies on the pharmacological action of myrobalan, and the further development and utilization of myrobalan.... **Keywords:** Terminalia chebula, anti-tumor, chebulagic acid, pharmacological activity #### 4. Potential therapeutic applications for Terminalia chebula in Iranian traditional medicine. **Authors:** Jokar Assie, Masoomi Fatemeh, Sadeghpour Omid et al. **Journal:** Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan (2016) **PMID:** 27400482 > Terminalia chebula (family: [Combretaceae](/glossary/plant-families/#combretaceae)) is widely used in the traditional medicine of India and Iran to treat diseases that include dementia, constipation, and diabetes. This tree is known in Iranian traditional medicine (ITM) as halileh or halilaj and the fruit is used to develop treatments. It is described in ITM as an astringent that has a "cold" and "dry" temperament. References to the medicinal properties of Terminalia chebula were collected from important ITM sources and from modern medical databases (PubMed, Scirus, ScienceDirect, and Scopus). The medicinal properties described for this tree in ITM were compared with those reported in studies of modern phytotherapy. The results confirm that the tree referred to as halileh in traditional books is the Terminalia chebula used in pres... #### 5. The potential of **Authors:** Gao Huimin, Lu Hanyu, Fang Nengqiao et al. **Journal:** Frontiers in pharmacology (2024) **PMID:** 39494343 **Keywords:** MCI, Terminalia chebula, Tibetan medicine, phytochemistry, quality control, safety evaluation, traditional medicinal uses #### 6. A comprehensive review on the diverse pharmacological perspectives of **Authors:** Hassan Bulbul Md Rakibul, Uddin Chowdhury Mohammad Nizam, Naima Taslima Anjum et al. **Journal:** Heliyon (2022) **PMID:** 36051270 **Keywords:** Haritaki, Myrobalan, Pharmacological activities, Phytochemistry, Terminalia chebula #### 7. [Hypolipidemic](/glossary/pharmacology/#hypolipidemic) activity of haritaki (terminalia chebula) in atherogenic diet induced hyperlipidemic rats. **Authors:** Maruthappan V, Shree K Sakthi **Journal:** Journal of advanced pharmaceutical technology & research (2010) **PMID:** 22247850 > Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) family Combretaceae is an important plant used traditionally for medicinal purposes. It is component of the classic Ayurvedic combination called "[Triphala](/herb/triphala/)". Hyperlipidemia was induced by treated orally with atherogemc diet. In atherogenic diet induced hyperlipidemic model, the rats receiving treatment with Haritaki showed significant reduction in total cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein and elevation of high density lipoprotein cholesterol. Haritaki was found to possess significant hypolipidemic activity. The results also suggest that Haritaki at 1.05 and 2.10 mg/kg b.wt. concentrations are an excellent lipid-lowering agent.... **Keywords:** Cholesterol, Haritaki, Hyperlipidemic, Triglyceride #### 8. Fruits of Terminalia chebula Retz.: A review on traditional uses, bioactive chemical constituents and pharmacological activities. **Authors:** Nigam Manisha, Mishra Abhay P, Adhikari-Devkota Anjana et al. **Journal:** Phytotherapy research : PTR (2020) **PMID:** 32307775 > Fruits of Terminalia chebula Retz. (Combretaceae) are widely used as crude drugs in various traditional medicine systems. The aim of this article is to review the available scientific information regarding the traditional uses, bioactive chemical constituents and the pharmacological activities of T. chebula. Numerous researches conducted on T. chebula have confirmed the presence of wide range of the phytochemicals such as [flavonoids](/reference/flavonoids/), [tannins](/reference/tannins/), phenolic acids and other bioactive compounds. T. chebula is also widely studied regarding its pharmacological activities such as antioxidant, [hepatoprotective](/reference/hepatoprotective/), neuroprotective, cytotoxic, [antidiabetic](/reference/antidiabetic/), anti-inflammatory activities among others. However, more in vivo and clinical studies for mechanism-based pharmacological evaluation should be conducte... **Keywords:** Combretaceae, Terminalia chebula, antioxidants, bioactivity, phenolic acids, tannins ## What do recent clinical trials show? - Chakkalakal M, Pan A, Nadora D and others 2023. [Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Supplementation with Standardized Terminalia chebula Fruit Extracts Reduces Facial Sebum Excretion, Erythema, and Wrinkle Severity](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36836126/). *Journal of clinical medicine*. PMID [36836126](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36836126/) · [doi:10.3390/jcm12041591](https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12041591) 8-week RCT (NCT04597502) on healthy females aged 25-65 supplemented with 250 mg Synastol TC twice daily showed that oral T. chebula extract significantly reduced facial sebum excretion, erythema, and wrinkle severity. - Gao H, Lu H, Fang N and others 2024. [The potential of Terminalia chebula in alleviating mild cognitive impairment: a review](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39494343/). *Frontiers in pharmacology*. PMID [39494343](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39494343/) · [doi:10.3389/fphar.2024.1484040](https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2024.1484040) Comprehensive review identified 171 chemical constituents and 11 active constituents targeting MCI. Flavonoids alleviate cognitive impairment primarily through antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. - Hassan Bulbul MR, Uddin Chowdhury MN, Naima TA and others 2022. [A comprehensive review on the diverse pharmacological perspectives of Terminalia chebula Retz](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36051270/). *Heliyon*. PMID [36051270](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36051270/) · [doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10220](https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e10220) Documented antioxidative, antiproliferative, antimicrobial, proapoptotic, antidiabetic, anti-aging, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, and antiepileptic properties through multiple laboratory approaches. *2 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.* ## Recent safety updates - Possibly safe when used orally for up to 8 weeks and when applied topically for up to 40 days. - Possibly unsafe during pregnancy; avoid use. Insufficient safety data for breastfeeding. - May lower blood sugar: potential interaction with diabetes medications requiring dose adjustment. - Stop use at least 2 weeks before scheduled surgery due to potential blood sugar interference. - Side effects to monitor: diarrhea, stomatitis, dehydration, fever, fatigue. - High-dose Terminalia ([arjuna](/herb/arjuna/) species) associated with hepatotoxicity and hypothyroidism in rat studies; caution with high doses of related species. ## What is it made of? **Part(s) Analyzed:** Fruit ### Tannins (Hydrolyzable) - Chebulagic acid (2-4%) - Chebulinic acid - Corilagin - Terchebulin - Punicalagin - Terflavin A-B ### Phenolic Acids - Gallic acid (1-2%) - Ellagic acid - Chebulic acid - Tannic acid ### Triterpenoids - Arjunolic acid - Arjunic acid - Terminolic acid ### Flavonoids - Luteolin - Rutherfordin **Analytical Methods:** HPLC-PDA (tannins, gallic acid), UV spectrophotometry, TLC ## Dosage forms and preparation **Dosage Forms:** Churna (powder), Tablet, Capsule, Kashayam (decoction), Avaleha (confection/jam), [Triphala](/herb/triphala/) formulations **Standard Dosage:** 3-6g powder at bedtime; 500mg-1g extract twice daily; 15-30ml decoction **Bioavailability:** Tannin-rich composition (chebulagic acid, chebulinic acid) shows moderate oral absorption. Gallic acid component has good bioavailability (~30%). Chebulic acid demonstrates reasonable absorption. Traditional practice of taking with warm water or specific Anupana (vehicle) for different conditions enhances absorption of specific fractions. **Optimal Timing:** At bedtime with warm water for [laxative](/reference/laxative/) effect; before meals for digestive stimulation; with specific Anupana depending on target dosha and condition per classical texts **Standardized Extract:** Aqueous extract standardized to minimum 30% tannins (as gallic acid equivalent); hydroalcoholic extract standardized to 5% chebulagic acid and 2% gallic acid **Shelf Life:** 2 years (powder); 3 years (tablet/capsule); 1 year (Avaleha) **Storage:** Cool, dry place below 25°C. Protect from moisture as tannins are hygroscopic. Airtight containers essential. **Marker Compounds:** Chebulagic acid, Chebulinic acid, Gallic acid, Ellagic acid, Chebulic acid, [Corilagin](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#corilagin), Beta-[sitosterol](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#sitosterol) ### Extraction Methods - Aqueous decoction (traditional Kashayam) - Hydroalcoholic extraction (50:50 to 70:30 ethanol:water) - Standardized aqueous extract (spray-dried) - Sequential extraction (hexane then ethanol then water) for fraction-specific products ### Synergistic Combinations - With Amalaki and Vibhitaki as Triphala for comprehensive GI health - With [Guggulu](/formulation/guggulu/) for lipid management - With [Pippali](/herb/pippali/) for respiratory conditions - With Honey as Anupana for Kapha disorders - With Jaggery for iron absorption and anemia --- Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/haritaki/ ## Sources - Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0) - PubMed / NCBI (696 publications) - AgeAyurveda Product Catalog - Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases) - Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice. Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.