CHEBULIC MYROBALAN: An Elixir of Ayurveda

Chebulic myrobalan tree with fruits

CHEBULIC MYROBALAN

Chebulic myrobalan or Harar is one of the most used plants in Indian systems of medicine including Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Sowa Rigpa. It has been used in traditional medicine for treating a large number of diseases since time immemorial. Chebulic myrobalan, botanically known as Terminalia chebula, belongs to the Rangoon creeper family (Combretaceae) of flowering plants. Chebulic myrobalan or Harar is also known as the “King of Plants in Ayurveda” due to its broad range of medicinal uses. One of its names 'pranada' translates into 'life giver'. 

Fruit morphotypes collected from various parts of Himachal Pradesh
(Photograph courtesy: Dr. Vipan Guleria, Associate Director, RHRS, Jachh, Dist. Kangra, HP)

COMMON NAMES

English: Chebulic myrobalan, Yellow myrobalan, Black myrobalan, Myrobalan Hindi: Harad, Harara, Haritiki Punjabi: Harar, Halela Assamese: Hilika, Shilikha Bengali: Haritaki Gujarati: Harde, Hardi Kannada: Alale, Alile, Anale, Anile, Karaka, Hareetaki, Harade Konkani: Ordo Malayalam: Katukka Marathi: Hirad, Hirda Nepali: Hararo Oriya: Karedha Sanskrit: Kayastha, Jivapriya, Haritak, Pranada,  Tamil: Katu-k-kay Telugu: Nallakaraka, Karaka Urdu: Haejarad

 

Umbrella-shaped tree of chebulic myrobalan growing in Patanjali Research Institute, Haridwar

DISTRIBUTION

Chebulic myrobalan occurs in Southern and Southeast Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Thailand) and Yunnan province of China up to an altitude of 900 m.

 

Inflorescence

MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Chebulic myrobalan is a large-sized tree growing to a height of up to 30 meters.  The canopy is umbrella-shaped with crowded branches. The stem bark is dark brown and irregularly exfoliating. The leaves are alternate to sub-opposite, ovate or oblong-ovate, 8–20 cm long, and deciduous during winters. The leaf tip is acute, base cordate, margin entire and they are glabrous above and pubescence below. Flowering occurs in May-June. Flowers are minute, yellowish-white and emit an unpleasant odour. They are arranged in long terminal spikes or short panicles. The fruit is yellowish green, obovoid or ellipsoid, hard and ribbed drupe. The seed is globose, 2–6 cm long and pale yellow in colour. 

Fruit morphotype from Pragpur (Kangra) in H.P.

(Photograph courtesy: Dr. Vipan Guleria, Associate Director, RHRS, Jachh, Dist. Kangra, HP)

Fruit morphotype from Bilaspur in H.P.

(Photograph courtesy: Dr. Vipan Guleria, Associate Director, RHRS, Jachh, Dist. Kangra, HP)

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS

Fruits of chebulic myrobalan, which are economically important parts, contain many phytochemicals. Important  secondary phytoconstituents are  pyrogallol, catechin, quercetin, kaempferol, terflavin A, B, C, D, maslinic acid, galloyl glucose, ellagic acid, luteolin, rutins, sennoside, terchebin, maslinic acid, chebulagic acid, tannic acid, chebulic acid, chebulinic acid, punicalagin, corilagin, terchebulin, chebulanin, gallotannins, neo-chebulinic acid, chebulosides II and I, etc.

 

MEDICINAL USES

1. Improves Digestion

Chebulic myrobalan improves digestion by increasing the production of digestive enzymes, promoting regular bowel movements, cleansing of the digestive tract and promoting the absorption of nutrients. It is reported to reduce bloating in the abdomen. It also helps to reduce symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, nausea and vomiting.

Dry fruits of chebulic myrobalan
(Photograph source: Amazon India)

2. Anti-Diabetic 

Diabetes mellitus (Type 2) is a major lifestyle health issue of concern these days. The herbal decoction containing chebulic myrobalan and other medicinal plants (Syzygium cumini, Trigonella foenumgraecum, etc.) was reported to improve the glycaemic and lipid index in diabetic patients by improving insulin sensitivity.

3. Excellent Antioxidant

Natural antioxidants are essentially required by the human body to prevent oxidative damage induced by higher levels of free radicals, which otherwise can cause degenerative disorders, ageing and cancers. Various phytochemicals present in the fruits of chebulic myrobalan have excellent antioxidant properties.

4. Anti-Inflammatory 

Fruits of chebulic myrobalan have been reported to possess anti-inflammatory properties. Phytochemicals in fruits reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines and T-cell subpopulations in lymph nodes.  Chebulanin acid ameliorates the severity of inflammatory disease arthritis by downregulating inflammatory cytokines and inflammation-induced enzymes.

5. Anti-Microbial 

Fruit extract of chebulic myrobalan has been reported to have antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria (Salmonella epidermis,  Clostridium perfingens, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Helicobacter pylori, Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis). It also exhibits a reasonably good anti-fungal activity. It is also reported to have anti-viral activity against Influenza A virus and Herpes simplex virus.

A tree laden with fruits in Patanjali Research Institute, Haridwar

6. Anti-Cancer 

Cancer is an uncontrolled division of the cells leading to the development of tumours. Phenolics such as ellagic, tannic, chebulinic acids and 2,4- chebulyl-β-D glucopyranose in fruits of chebulic myrobalan have inhibitory effect cancer cell lines (breast cancer cell line (MCF-7), prostate cancer cell line (PC-3), osteosarcoma (HOS1),  etc.).

7. Neuro-Protective 

Ageing, inflammation and lifestyle are responsible for some degenerative changes in the brain cells. Fruit extract of chebulic myrobalan is reported to slow down these degenerative changes by regulating the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide. Alzheimer’s disease, a neuro-degenerative disorder, is linked with acetylcholine (Ach) deficiency caused by acetylcholinesterase (AChE).  Ellagic, tannic and gallic acids present in chebulic myrobalan have been reported to downregulate the production of AChE and thus delay these degenerative changes. It is also reported to improve mental clarity and focus.

8. Hepatoprotective 

Chebulinic acid, chebulic acid and neo-chebulic acid present in chebulic myrobalan are reported to possess strong hepatoprotective activity in animal models. These phytochemicals operate by downregulating aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and by upregulating superoxide dismutase (SOD) action.

9. Good for Cardiovascular Health

Chebulic myrobalan is reported to support cardiovascular health by reducing serum cholesterol levels and improving blood circulation.

10.  Anti-Aging Properties

Fruits of chebulic myrobalan are believed to have anti-ageing properties due to their antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities.

11.  Nephroprotective Effect

Some experimental studies have shown the nephroprotective effect of chebulic myrobalan in toxin-induced nephrotoxicity.

SACRED VALUE
Chebulic myrobalan is considered sacred by the Hindus.  It is believed that when Indra was drinking nectar in heaven, a drop of that nectar fell on the Earth.  It sprouted as a haritaki tree. It has also received the names of 'pranada' or life-giver, 'Sudha' or nectar, 'Bhishakpriya' or physician's 

TOXICITY

Chebulic myrobalan fruits are generally considered safe when taken in moderate quantities.  However, it can cause gastrointestinal disturbances in higher doses. Persons taking medication for diabetes should monitor their blood sugar level regularly as chebulic myrobalan might cause blood sugar to drop too low.

 

A tree laden with fruits in Patanjali Research Institute, Haridwar

REFERENCES

1. Akbar, S. 2020. Handbook of 200 Medicinal Plants: A Comprehensive Review of Their Traditional Medical Uses and Scientific Justifications. Springer.
2. Bennet, S.S.R., Gupta, P.C., and Rao, R.V. 1992. Venerated Plants. Indian Council of Forestry Education and Research, Dehradun.
3. Cock, IE. 2015. The Medicinal Properties and Phytochemistry of Plants of the Genus Terminalia (Combretaceae). Inflammopharmacology 23(5): 203–229.
4. Gopi, KS, Reddy, AG, Jyothi, K and Kumar, BA. 2010. Acetaminophen-induced Hepato-and Nephrotoxicity and Amelioration by Silymarin and Terminalia chebula in Rats. Toxicol. Int. 17(2): 64. DOI: 10.4103/0971-6580.72672.
5. Meher, SK, Panda, P, Das, B, Bhuyan, GC and Rath, KK. 2018. Pharmacological Profile of Terminalia Chebula Retz. and Willd. (Haritaki) in Ayurveda with Evidences. Res. J. Pharmacol. Pharmacodyn. 10(3): 115–124.
6. Muhammad Junaid Anwar, MJ et al. 2023. Phytochemical profile and pro-healthy properties of Terminalia chebula: A comprehensive review.  International Journal of Food Properties 26(1): 526-551.
7. Upadhyay, A, Agrahari, P and Singh, DK. 2014. A Review on the Pharmacological Aspects of Terminalia Chebula. Int. J. Pharmacol. 10(6): 289–298.