Abstract

A CRITICAL REVIEW OF HARITAKI (TERMINALIA CHEBULA RETZ) IN CLASSICAL TEXTS

Dr. Harsh Kumar*, Dr. O. P. Rout and Dr. P. K. Joshi

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Abstract

The Drug Haritaki (Terminalia Chebula Retz.) Terminalia – Proceding from the extremitity at the end. Chebula- Distorted form of the world Kabul. belong to family Combretaceae. It has been widely used in the traditional Indian medicine system of Ayurveda for the treatment of a variety of disease. Haritaki evacuates Mala and cure the disease. The uses of its varieties along with their sources, identifying features and therapeutic uses are described in Ayurvedic classics and other medical literature. It helps to improve physical and mental health, prevents degeneration, extends youth and delays aging or rather reverse the aging process. Main phyto-chemicals of Haritaki are chebulic acid, gallic acid, corilagin, chebulagic acid, ellagic acid, chebulinic acid, triterpenoids and anthraquinone. It performs various therapeutical actions like; antimicrobial, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, renoprotective, anti-mutagenic, anti- proliferative, radio-protective, cardio-protective etc. This paper presented comprehensive review of T. chebula especially its pharmacological actions on the basis of ancient texts as well as modern literatures.

Keywords: Haritaki, Terminalia Chebula Retz, Ayurveda, Pharmacological Activity.