Karakkaya (Haritaki) – The Herb With Many Health Benefits

Karakkaya is commonly called Haritaki or Harde in hind, kadukkai in Tamil, and recognized as Karakkaya in Telugu whereas in English as Terminalia chebula or chebulic Myrobalan. Karakkaya is one of the important herbs that have been widely used in various ayurvedic formulations.

Karakkaya is a common herb that has been used as a natural cleanser for the digestive system for ages. Consuming it can help in improving and performing the spleen, liver as well as colon, and hence it is most preferred as a digestive tonic.

Importance Of Karakkaya In Ayurveda

In the Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda Karakkaya has been called the “Mother of herbs” and the “King of medicines.” It is due to its marvelous health benefits.

According to an ayurvedic concept, Karakkaya is an herb that balances the three doshas (Vata, pitta, and Kapha).  Karakkaya is one of the main ingredients in ayurvedic medicines popular known as “Triphala” which is known to be a rejuvenating medicine.

Triphala is made up of a combination of three herbs Amalaki (Emblica Officinalis, Bibhitaki (Terminalia belerica) Karakkaya, or so-called Haritaki (Terminalia chebula). It is known for its scraping effect that eliminates toxins and helps in maintaining healthy and controlling levels of weight.

Ayurvedic Properties

• Taste (Rasa): Astringent (Kashaya), sour (Amla), sweet (Madhura), pungent (Katu), and bitter (Tikta)
• Potency (Veerya): Sweet (Madhura)
• Post digestive effect (Vipaka): Sweet (Madhura)
• Property (Guna): Light (Laghu), dry (Ruksha)
• Actions (Karma): Alleviates vitiation of all 3 doshas (Tridosha hara)

What are the uses of karakkaya?

Karakkaya is used in many ailments such as leucorrhoea, chronic ulcers, pyorrhoea as well as various fungal infections on the skin.  Karakkaya has natural laxative properties that help to increase the frequency of stools and emptying the bowel completely.

This laxative’s property of Karakkaya helps to detoxify the body and contributes to preventing aging and imparts longevity, immunity, and body resistance against various ailments.

Karakkaya is also known to process strong ant mutagenic properties. Karakkaya is used in the treatment of mouth stomatitis, ulcers, cough, asthma, gastroenteritis, candidiasis, leprosy, skin diseases, etc. It is also used as the medication for rheumatic pain, intermittent fever, fever, arthritis as well as wounds.

1. Karakkaya For Constipation

Karakkaya powder has natural laxative properties with rich dietary fibers that are important digestive agents to fight against constipation. A person who suffers from regular constipation can take this medicine continuously to keep their bowels in good health.

Regular consumption of Karakkaya powder for constipation can make a person dependent on it so it advises not to use them when bowels are healthy.

How To Use Karakkaya Powder For Constipation?

• Take Karakkaya fruit, remove the seeds from it, and keep them in the sun for drying for a few days.  After the fruits are completely dried powder, it into a fine powder and keep it in an air-tight bottle.
• Whenever required take one glass of water into a vessel put the powder and boil the water. When the water becomes lukewarm drink it before going to bed.

2. Karakkaya for Weight Loss

Karakkaya or so-called Haritaki is known for its natural laxative properties that help to throw out toxins from the body and maintenances the digestive system in the greatest precept. Perfect digestive systems can help to prevent acidity and bloating sensation and furthermore aids in the proper absorption of food.

As a digestive system is at its peak, the food is absorbed properly and the excess fat on the body is not acclimated which results in weight gain. Consuming karakkaya commands and controlling hunger together with a balanced diet, and exercise makes Karakkaya the best ayurvedic medicine for weight loss.

Related to weight gain a famous Hindu spiritual leader Swami Nithyananda explains that the delays in the digestive system cause excess foods to be added to the body weight.

He explains that many people eat the same amount, but the food does not contribute to belly fat loss in some people due to improper digestive systems.

3. Karakkaya for Mouth Ulcers

A mouth ulcer is a gumboil that develops on the mucous membrane of the oral cavity ad is very common. It is really painful if people are having mouthed ulcers as it becomes uncomfortable to eat and drink.

Karakkaya has can be the best remedy for it due to its anti-cariogenic properties. It can be helpful in dealing with most dental-related problems especially bleeding gums and mouth ulcers.

How To Use Karakkaya Powder For mouth ulcer?

• The simplest and best way to treat a mouth ulcer is by making a mouth rinse with karakkaya. For making the mouth rinse, pound karakkaya with a mortar and pestle.
• It is not necessary to powder it, just break the outer covering and boil the pieces of karakkaya in a cup of water. When the watercolor changes to dull yellow color, it is ready. Let the infusion cool down now rinse your mouth with this infusion several times a day.

4. Karakkaya for hair regrowth

In various parts of India, there is a tradition of applying karakkaya oil to prevent dandruff and lice infection, and they use it as a daily application.

Consuming karakkaya can strengthen the body against anemia, which is believed to be one of the factors that can strengthen hair. So taking karakkaya regularly can help your body as well as your hair healthy and fit.

How to use karakkaya oil for hair loss?

• Take a cup of coconut oil in a pan; now add the 3 to 4 karakkayapods to it. When the karakkayapods outer shell cracks and turns the brown switch off the flame.
• After the oil is cooled store it in a glass bottle and use this oil regularly to prevent lice infection and dandruff.

5. Karakkaya for Acidity

Karakkaya is famous for its cure for all stomach-related problems such as indigestion, acidity, constipation, etc. Karakkaya is very effective due to its being rich in antioxidant polyphenols like gallic acid and ellagic acid.

Due to its unique properties, it helps the body to increase the mucous secretion creation in the stomach creating a protective barrier towards preventing ulcers and acidity. Studies have shown that it has properties that can combat the Helicobacter pylori bacteria and lower your risk of building stomach ulcers.

How to use karakkaya powder for Acidity?

• Take karakkaya powder around 1/4 tsp, mix it in hot water, and drink until the problem disappears. This will not only help in reducing excessive stomach acidity but also help to prevent painful peptic and gastric ulcers by intensifying protective mucus formation in the stomach.