7 Health Benefits of Chebulic Myrobalan

Chebulic myrobalan is a common name of the dried fruit of the Terminalia chebula tree. It is also known as haritaki, harad, karakkaya, inknut and kadukkai podi.

Terminalia chebula trees grow across Asia, particularly in Northern India, and chebulic myrobalan has a long history of use as a panacea, adaptogenic tonic and natural cure for a wide variety of disorders.

Dried harad powder is also one of the 3 ingredients in triphala, one of the best known Ayurvedic detoxification formulas. It’s also often prescribed as a stand-alone treatment for specific disorders and to bring an unhealthy body back into balance. Here are 7 of its most beneficial effects.

7 Chebulic Myrobalan Benefits

1. Improves Digestion and Gut Health

Regularly taking chebulic myrobalan can enhance the function of your digestive tract, support a healthy intestinal environment and increase the absorption of nutrients from the food you eat.

This Ayurvedic herb is said to improve elimination, tonifies the colon, clears away compacted waste, and help to prevent constipation.

Research on using Terminalia chebula showed it has a “significant intestinal motility-enhancing effect” and can be a useful aid in keeping bowel movements regular.

There can be an initial increase in gas and other gastrointestinal issues when you first start taking harad supplements. Most people quickly notice more regular bowel movements though and less bloating and gas when using this natural remedy.

2. Natural Body Detoxifier

In another related benefit, chebulic myrobalan is considered a premier body detoxifier in Ayurveda. It is said to help elevate oxygen levels in the circulatory system and is often recommended for tiredness, low energy and lethargy.

Whilst this is difficult to confirm with scientific research, many people in online forums who use haritaki supplements regularly report an energizing effect when they take them.

If you’d like to try it for yourself, Texas-based brand Manjivinika makes USDA-certified organic haritaki tablets that are good value and available here on their Amazon store (sponsored).

3. Beneficial for Weight Loss

By improving digestion, increasing nutrient absorption, cleaning the colon, preventing constipation and speeding up elimination time, harad powder helps alleviate the burden on your liver – a common cause of difficulty losing weight.

Improved digestion and nutritional uptake will also often have a positive effect on reducing hunger and cravings for junk foods, important factors that drive weight gain and lead to a more sedentary lifestyle.

4. Antibacterial and Antioxidant Protection

Powdered harad is a rich source of potent antioxidants like ellagic acid, gallic acid, chebulic acid, flavonol glycosides, selenium and vitamin C that protect your body from free radical damage.

This research found an extract of the herb improved concentrations of glutathione, superoxide dismutase and other antioxidants in the liver and kidneys. The authors concluded that chebulic myrobalan helps fight oxidative stress and could protect against age-related diseases.

Dried Terminalia chebula fruit also has strong antibacterial properties for preventing infection from bacteria in the food you eat. As an anti-fungal and overall digestive tonic it can also help treat candida and other fungal infections throughout the body.

5. Decreases Stomach Acidity and Protects against Ulcers

Harad churna can reduce excessive stomach acidity and even help guard against painful ulcers by elevating protective mucus production in the stomach.

Chebulic myrobalan is rich in antioxidant polyphenols like gallic acid and ellagic acid that have been shown in studies to combat the Helicobacter pylori bacteria and reduce your risk of developing stomach ulcers.

6. Mouth Ulcers and Lung Disorders

Chebulic myrobalan fruit or powder is often used for mouth ulcers, oral sores and gum disease. Traditionally in India a mouthwash is made by crushing several dried harad fruit and boiling them in water.

Once cooled, it is swirled around the mouth several times a day to quickly alleviate mouth ulcers. It is also believed to help prevent dental decay if used regularly. The powdered herb mixed with boiling water and cooled is effective in the similar way as a mouthwash.

Harad churna is also recommended for bad coughs, bronchitis and other lung complaints. For this purpose around half a teaspoon of the powder is mixed with a small amount of honey with a spoon and slowly sucked upon.

It can be particularly good to make up and use this natural treatment right before bed if excessive coughing is preventing you from getting to sleep.

7. Better Hair and Skin

Chebulic myrobalan powder is often recommended for both skin problems, like acne and skin rashes, as well as hair loss and dandruff.

For acne and skin irritations a paste is made from the powdered herb and very hot water and applied directly to the affected area once it cools. This topical treatment can speed up skin healing and help prevent further acne outbreaks.

To apply to the hair, powdered harad is usually prepared in a hair oil and applied directly to the scalp to combat hair loss and prevent dandruff.

Taking the herbal powder or haritaki tablets, like these ones on Amazon (sponsored), regularly can also improve both your hair and skin tone overall. This is due to increased antioxidant intake and internal detoxification.

Have you tried chebulic myrobalan supplements before or even the dried Terminalia chebula fruit? I’d be interested to read in the comments below about any beneficial effects you experienced with this natural Ayurvedic remedy.