Haritaki

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article does not cite any references or sources. (January 2008) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please improve this article if you can. (January 2008)

Haritaki is an herb used primarily in Ayurveda, the science of longevity coming from the India. Haritaki, as described in the Charak Samhita possesses five rasas, or tastes, out of the existing six as described in the Charak Samhita. These tastes are, respectively, Sweet, sour, Salty, pungent, Bitter and astringent. Haritaki is devoid of the salty taste. Haritaki is hot (heating). It is a carminative. It is light, an appetizer (stimulating the digestion), a digestive, life promoting, tonic, sustainer of youthful age, alleviates all diseases and provides strength to all the sense organs. It alleviates leprosy (including skin disorders), anemia, narcosis, piles, chronic, intermittent fever, heart disease, head disease, diarrhea, anorexia, cough, hardness of bowels, spleen enlargement, acute abdominal disorders, excessive secretion of mucus, hoarseness of voice, disorders of complexion, jaundice, helminths, oedema, bronchial asthma, vomiting, impotency, lassitude in organs, various obstructions in channels (veins, arteries etc.), plastering of heart and chest, impairment of memory and intellect in a short time. Those having indigestions, rough food, emaciated by indulgence in sex, wine (alcohol) and poisonous substances, and afflicted with hunger, thirst and heat should not use Haritaki for long. Amalaki has the same properties and actions as Haritaki, however, Amalaki is cooling as opposed to heating.

From Dr Reetu Ahirwar, The Gold Medalist from Delhi University, explains Haritaki in her own way. There is six type of Haritaki :- Vijaya, Rohini, Putana, Amrita, Abhya, Jeewanti and Cheataki. Also there are three more division :- small Haritaki, big Haritaki and yellow Haritaki. Action of Haritaki :- Vijaya works at all types of diseases.

                     Rohini act on wound.
                     Putana apply as paste.
                     Amrita works as purifier.
                     Abhya used in eye diseases.
                     Jeewanti all types of diseases.
                     Cheataki works as luxtaive.