Modern science has found that Terminalia Chebula has a strong effect against the herpes simplex virus HSV, has antibacterial activity, and exhibits strong cardio tonic properties. Terminalia Chebula also has antioxidant components, which indicates it can increase the life of tissues. Yet another study shows the anti-tumor activity of Terminalia Chebula and another study shows that it has considerable effect in inhibiting the HIV virus which ultimately results in AIDS
Thus, Terminalia Chebula can be seen to be a valuable addition to anyone's herbal collection. With its rejuvenating and cleansing properties, Terminalia Chebula is excellent for the digestive system. As a preventative supplement it has great anti viral attributes, as shown by its anti tumor and HIV action. It is also effective for alleviating constipation in general, and is helpful for vata persons because it works in the Triphala formula which is a well balanced digestive and rejuvenating aid.
Habitat
Terminalia chebula is found in the sub Himalayan tracks form Ravi eastwards to west Bengal and Assam, ascending up to at altitude of 1500m in the Himalayas, In the This tree is wild in the forests of Northern India, central provinces And Bengal, common in madras, Mysore and in the southern Parts of the Bombay presidency.
A tree 15.24m in height & 1.5-2.4m in girth with a cylindrical bole of 4-9m, a rounded crown and spreading branched found throughout the greater parts of India.
Habitat
Terminalia chebula is found in the sub Himalayan tracks form Ravi eastwards to west Bengal and Assam, ascending up to at altitude of 1500m in the Himalayas, In the This tree is wild in the forests of Northern India, central provinces And Bengal, common in madras, Mysore and in the southern Parts of the Bombay presidency.
A tree 15.24m in height & 1.5-2.4m in girth with a cylindrical bole of 4-9m, a rounded crown and spreading branched found throughout the greater parts of India.
Bark dark brown often longitudinally
cracked, exfoliating in woody scales,
cracked, exfoliating in woody scales,
Leaves ovate or elliptic with a pair of large gland at the tip of the pedicel
Flowers yellowish white; in terminal spikes, drupes ellipsoidal, obovoid or ovoid, yellow to orange brown, sometimes tinged with red or black and hard when ripe. 3-5cm long becomes 5 ribbed on drying.
Flowers yellowish white; in terminal spikes, drupes ellipsoidal, obovoid or ovoid, yellow to orange brown, sometimes tinged with red or black and hard when ripe. 3-5cm long becomes 5 ribbed on drying.
Fruits the ovoid, yellow to orange brown fruits are 2.5 to 4.0cms long. Usually 5- angled when dry, stone very think, bony, obsurely angled, rough, grooved, having gum vessels on the wall.
(i) Survari harade - which are large, dense and heavy about 2 inches long, yellowish-brown: when cut it contains yellowish or darkish brown, pulp and stone
(ii) Rangari harade - these are smaller, less wrinkled and less furrowed than the above variety; in length about an inch; the epidermis is yellow; when cut it presents a yellow dried pulp and a stone. The pulp is less astringent than that of survari harade
(iii) Bala harade - are smaller than the above two varieties. Their color is deep brown or black; highly wrinkled, dark or brown epidermis. Their pulp I dark and homogenous; there is no stone.
(iv) Java harade - these are the smallest of all. Other characters are similar to those of Bala harade.
(B) Classification according to shape
(i) Vijaya - having alabu shape used in all diseases, habitat in vindahya mountains
(ii) Rohini - Round in shape- used in vrana, habitat in zansi and other sate other parts of M.P
(iii) Pootana - Size is small,mesocarp is less, seed is bigger, externally used, habitate Sind.
(iv) Amirtha - Mesocarp is more used for shodhanakarma habituate M.P and Champaranya
(v) Abhya - Fruit having five ribbed used in eye diseases, habitate champaranya, himalaya
(vi) Jeevantee - fruit is golden yellow, used in all diseases, habitate himalaya.
(vii) Chetaki - Fruit having three ribs, used as purgative.
(C) Classification according to the growth of the fruit
(I) Halileh - Zira. When the size is that of a cumin seed.
(II) Halileh - Javi, when the size is that of a barely corn.
(III) Halileh - Zangi when the size is of a raisin
(IV) Halileh - Chini when fruit is greenish yellow and somewhat hard.
(V) Halileh - Asfer when it is very nearly mature
(VI) Halileh - Kabul or fully matured fruit
CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS
Fruit contains 45% tannin, gallic acid, albumin, yellow color, chebulic acid, which turns into tannic acid and gallic acid when boiled.
COLLECTION
Generally two good years are followed by one or two poor ones, fruits are collected when they turn yellow. The seeds can be collected as soon as they fall on the ground and are dried under shade. The seeds can be stored in gunny bags for one year but fresh seeds germinate quicker.
INDICATIONS
Digestive diseases, urinary diseases, diabetes, skin diseases, parasitic infections, heart diseases, irregular fevers, flatulence, constipation, ulcers, vomiting, colic pain and hemorrhoids Terminalia Chebula is used to treat. If taken after meals it prevents imbalance of any of the humors due to bad food or drink. It promotes wisdom, intellect and eyesight.
USAGE & DOSAGE
The fruit pulp is used as a dentifrice to cure bleeding and ulceration of gums.
Water in which the fruits have been steeped overnight is a good cooling wash for eyes, affording relief in conjunctivitis and similar affections of the eyes.
AYURVEDA DETAILS ABOUT ABHYA
Synonyms -
Abhya- The medicine is safest for use
Amirtha – Plant survives hundreds of years
Avyatha – Not having unpleasant.
Chetaki- Keeps alert or stimulates jnanendriyas
Hareetaki- Fruits are yellow colored.
Haimavati- Lavishly grows in Himalayan regions
Kayastha – Arrest aging factors
Pathya – It is always “Pathya”
AYURVEDA PROPERTIES
Rasa/ Taste – Vilavana pancharasa
Endocarp is sweet in taste.
Epicarp is pungent in taste.
Seed portion contains astringent
Fiber portion is sour
Peduncle region of the fruit is bitter
Vipaka Madura
Veerya / Potency Ushna
Guna / Property Laghu, rooksha,
Doshaghnata Tridoshaghna
Tridoshaghnata of hareetaki
It pacifies Pitta with its sweet, bitter, and astringent taste. It pacifies Vata with its Amala rasa. It pacifies Kapha with its katu, thikha & kashaya rasa.
It pacifies Kapha administered with salt. It pacifies Pitta administered with sugar. It pacifies Vata administered with ghee.
Karma / Action Chakshushya, Brimhana, Rasayana, Anulomaka, Deepana, Medhya, Krimighana, Swarya,
Uses Swasa, Kasa, Premaha, Arshas, Kusta, Shotha, Udhara, Vaishwarya, Grahanee,
Vibandha, Vishamajwara, Gulma, Admana, Vrana, Charadi, Hikka,
Diseases of hear and throat, Kamala, Shoola, Aanaha, Diseases of spleen and liver,
Ashmaree, Mootrakrichchra, Mootraahata.
Visista yoga
Aristam/Asvam – Infusion Abhyarista,Aravindasavam, Dasamoolaristam, Punarnasavam
Kashayam – Decoction Amurthotharam Kashayam, Bharangyadi Kashayam, Chiruvilwadi
Kashayam, Ghandharvahasthadi Kashayam, Kathaga Kathiradi Kashayam, Manjishtadi
Kashayam, Mahaikthakam Kashayam, Patolamooladi Kashayam, Punarnavadi Kashayam
Lehyam – Pastries Gomuthra Haritaki, Agasthaya Rasayanam, Manibhadra Lehyam,
Chitrakahareetaki, Danteehareetaki, Vyaghree chareetaki
Choornam – Powders Thriphaladi choornam, Avipathi choornam, Hinguvachadi choornam,
Hutabhugadi choornam, Navayasam Choornam
Gulika / Vati – Tablets Pathyadi vati, Thriphala gulgulu, Yogaraja gulgulu
Thailam – Oil I Thriphaladi thailam, Thriphaladi Coconut oil
Gana / Groups classified (Mentioned in Ayurveda texts)
(Charaka) - Triphala, Amalakyadi, Parooshakadi, Trivritadi
(Susrutha) - Prajasthapana, Arshoghana, Jwaraghna,Kusthaghana, Kasaghana
References
Astanga Hridya
Charaka Shamitha
Susrutha Shamitha
Wealth of India
Indian Materia Medica – 1982 Nadkarani K.M –
Medicinal Plant of India – Vil 2 Indian Council of Medicinal Research New Delhi
