| Common Name : | Chebulic Myrobalan.. |
| Binomial Name : | Terminalia chebula |
| Family : | Combretaceae |
| Bangla Name : | Horitoki (হরিতকি), (Hortoki) হরতকি |
| Photo Taken : | Bangladesh |
Botanical Identity
Terminalia chebula, commonly known as Chebulic Myrobalan, Haritaki, or Black Myrobalan, is a revered tree in traditional medicine, especially within Ayurveda. It belongs to the Combretaceae family and is native to South and Southeast Asia, including India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and parts of China. The name chebula likely derives from the town of Chebula in northern India. In Ayurveda, it is often referred to as the “King of Medicines” due to its wide range of therapeutic properties.
Plant Description
Terminalia chebula is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 20–30 meters tall under favorable conditions. It has a straight trunk with dark brown bark and spreading branches that form a rounded crown. The leaves are simple, oval, and opposite, often with a slightly hairy surface. The tree is hardy and drought-resistant once established, thriving in tropical and subtropical climates. It grows well in sandy or loamy soils and prefers full sun to partial shade.
Flowers and Fruit Characteristics
The tree produces small, pale yellow to white flowers that appear in terminal spikes or short panicles during the summer months. These flowers are mildly fragrant but not showy. The fruit is the most significant part — an ovoid drupe, 2–5 cm long, with five distinct ridges. When ripe, it turns yellowish to blackish and contains a single hard seed. The dried fruit is extensively used in traditional medicine and is the key ingredient in the famous Ayurvedic formulation Triphala.
Uses and Medicinal Importance
This tree is highly esteemed in traditional systems of medicine like Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani. The dried fruit of Terminalia chebula is used as a laxative, digestive aid, and rejuvenator. It is believed to balance all three doshas — vata, pitta, and kapha. Beyond digestion, it is used for treating respiratory disorders, skin diseases, urinary issues, and even as a natural preservative due to its antioxidant properties. Modern research supports many of its health claims, particularly its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. Due to its broad benefits, Haritaki is commonly consumed in powder, decoction, or capsule form.
Photos of this article were taken from the Ramna Park, Dhaka. It was during the month of June in 2015.
Written by Lonely Traveler,
For blog icflora.blogspot.com
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