9 Top Benefits, Uses & Side Effects of Haritaki | Kadukkai |

Karakkaya | Harad For Health, Hair & Skin

This fruit commonly called Haritaki | Harad in Hindi, Kadukkai in Tamil, Karakkaya
in Telugu, Harde Whole | Ink Nut in English, Katukkai in Malayalam, Alalekaayi
in Kannada, Harade in Gujarati, Hirada in Marathi, Horitaki in Bengali and Har in
Punjabi is trulya medical wonder and has many health benefits and medicinal uses. It's
botanical name is Terminalia Chebula. It treats a wide variety of diseases and is an
ingredient that we first resort to for treating most of the small ailments at home.
Haritaki has been regarded very highly from ancient times by traditional healers and it
is rightly called the mother of herbs. It is widely used in ayurvedic medicine and it is also
one of the three ingredients of the famous triphala which by itself signifies it's
importance in ayurvedic medicine. Haritaki has got anti inflammatory, analgesic,
antiulcerogenic, antioxidant, anti bacterial, anti fungal, anti carcinogenic, anti viral,
astringent, anti aging, anti arthritic, anti microbial, hypoglycemic, anti
pyretic and hypolipidemic properties. Actually the amount of diseases haritaki can cure
is astonishing, it is used for treating arthritis, dental problems like caries and bleeding
gums, skin problems like acne andeczema, for healing wounds, for
neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer's, for constipation and shrinking hemorrhoids
when usedexternally, for treating ulcers very effectively, for treating and
preventing kidney stones, for improving digestion, for treating cough, sore throat and
headache, for treating eye inflammations when used as an eye rinse, for
improving immunity, for treating fever along withreducing cholesterol and blood sugar
levels! No wonder it is called the mother of all herbs :). I always have haritaki at home
and we use it extensively in my home remedies. Last week, my brother in law was
suffering loss of sensation in the tongue. He was complaining that he couldn't feel any
taste at all in his mouth and this problem was going on for almost a month. I made a
mouth rinse with haritaki and asked him to rinse his mouth with it twice daily for 10
days. Within a few days, he said he was feeling better and by the end of the 10 days, he
had completely gotten back his sense of taste. How To Use Haritaki: You can take
haritaki internally in the form of haritaki powder | haritaki churna | kadukka podi, you
can easily buy the powder from the markets or make your own at home. Externally you
can apply the paste of the fruit or you can make an infusion by boiling the
pounded fruit with water and use. Haritaki Dosage: Usually 5 grams of haritaki
powder is the daily dosage for adults but I would suggest slowly increasing the
dosage overtime. Haritaki can be taken for long duration's without any side effects as it
has low toxicity but if you are on any medications please consult an ayurvedic doctor for
the correct dosage. Haritaki is one ingredient that everyone should have in their home,
it will always come in handy. While buying haritaki make sure to buy matured ones and
sundry it till crisp and then store in an airtight box. Haritaki stores well and can be
stored in an airtight box for almost 6 months to 1 year....
1. HARITAKI FOR WEIGHT LOSS:

Haritaki is known to remove toxins from the body and keeps the digestive system in
peak order. It prevents bloating sensation, acidity and helps in proper assimilation of
food. Haritaki is a natural blood purifier and it helps to remove the toxins in the body.
Consuming haritaki will regulate the hunger and combined together with a sensible diet
and exercise will aid in weight loss naturally.
2. HARITAKI FOR HAIR LOSS:

In certain parts of India, haritaki oil is used on the hair to prevent lice infection and
dandruff. They use it as a daily application hair oil. To make this oil, heat a cup of
coconut oil in a pan and add the 3 haritaki pods. Once it has turned brown and the outer
shell cracks, switch off the flame, let cool and store it in a glass bottle. Use this oil
regularly to prevent lice infection and dandruff. This oil effectively treats hair loss too.
Haritaki can also be used in hair packs, it can be ground along with curry leaf
powder, amla powder and yogurt to form a paste and then applied on the hair.
3. HARITAKI FOR COUGH IN INFANTS & ADULTS:

Haritaki is amazing for treating cough in both adults and infants. Powder haritaki finely
and mix it with honey and give it to the babies for 2 to 3 days. Some infants might vomit
when they consume haritaki for the first time, that is normal and one need not worry
about it. They will get used to it very soon. A big pinch (around 2 gms) for children
around 3 to 6 years. A small pinch (around 1 gm) for children between 1 to 3 years. This
remedy will treat cough very effectively. Try not to use haritaki powder continuously
for children without medical supervision.
4. HARITAKI FOR CONSTIPATION:

Kadukkai powder is a natural laxative that is available to us. Many suffer from
constipation and take medicines for it continuously. Having a traditional diet that is rich
in fiber and using natural laxatives like kadukkai podi | powder will keep our bowels in
good health. Regularly consuming medicine for constipation will make a person
dependent on them and of course the side effects of bloating and flatulence when the
laxative medicines are taken regularly. Stock up on this natural laxative and use it
whenever you suffer from constipation. To make the remedy, break the haritaki, remove
the seeds and sun dry the haritaki peel very well in the sun. Powder it well to a very fine
powder and bottle it. Take the required amount of powder in a bowl, boil water and add
to the haritaki powder. Drink it once it comes to lukewarm temperature before going to
bed. You will find yourself free from constipation the next day morning. We do
get haritaki powder in the markets but I prefer making it on my own as it is very
effective when freshly ground.
5. HARITAKI FOR SKIN:
Haritaki effectively treats skin allergies in the ears caused by earrings. Gold and silver
earrings doesn't produce any allergies. But metal earrings will not agree with everyone
as some of these metal earrings contain nickel. Sometimes if we wear these earrings for
longer duration, the earlobes turn itchy, red and swollen. For this problem haritaki is
the best answer. Just take a haritaki and rub it on the sandalwood stone with little
boiled water. You have to rub it hard as the skin of the haritaki is hard. The paste is light
green in color. Take this paste and apply on the affected area. Usually it gives good relief
from pain and swellings due to allergies.
6. HARITAKI FOR ACNE:
Haritaki has got antibacterial properties making it very effective for treating acne. A
simple paste made with haritaki powder and boiled water when applied on acne heals
acne very quickly and prevents scars from forming. Another wonderful use of haritaki is
UV protection, haritaki extract when applied on the skin topically prevents UV damage
very effectively and this use has been proven through clinical research.
7. HARITAKI FOR ACIDITY:

Haritaki is known to cure all stomach related problems from acidity and indigestion to
constipation very effectively. Haritaki increases the mucus production in the stomach
forming a protective barrier thus preventing acidity and ulcer. To use haritaki powder as
a remedy, take around 1/4 tsp of haritaki powder and mix it in hot water and drink till
the problem disappears.
8. HARITAKI FOR DIABETES:
A study was conducted regarding the effect of herbs on diabetic patients. They found
that haritaki decreases insulin sensitivity and helps to regulate the blood sugar levels in
the body effectively. The interesting thing was many of the diabetic medicines had some
side effects along with regulating the blood sugar levels whereas haritaki did not have
any side effects at all. But diabetic patients should consult a medical professional before
taking haritaki daily on a regular basis.
9. HARITAKI FOR MOUTH ULCERS:

Haritaki has anti cariogenic properties and can be used for most of the dental problems
especially mouth ulcers and bleeding gums. The best way to use haritaki for treating it is
by making a mouth rinse with it, haritaki mouth rinse treats mouth ulcers very
effectively. Having mouth ulcers can be very painful. Mouth ulcers makes eating very
difficult and it affects both young and old. I was surprised to learn that one out of five
adults suffer from mouth ulcers. Citrus and certain acidic fruits like strawberries and
figs worsen the condition. For making the mouth rinse, pound kadukkai using a mortar
and pestle. Don't pound it too finely, just break the outer covering. Then boil the broken
haritaki with a cup of water. The color of the water will change to dull yellow color. Cool
this infusion and rinse your mouth with the infusion several times a day. This mouth
ulcer home remedy usually gives good relief. The mouth rinse can be safely used by
children too.
HARITAKI SIDE EFFECTS:

Pregnant women should be cautious taking haritaki as they might cause certain
complications. As mentioned earlier diabetic patients also should be careful before
taking haritaki regularly as it reduces blood sugar levels so the blood sugar levels should
be monitored closely. For young children haritaki should only be given under medical
supervision if planning on giving it for longer duration.