Haritaki, Harītakī: 25 definitions

Introduction:

Haritaki means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit, Buddhism, Pali, Marathi, biology. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.

In Hinduism

Ayurveda (science of life)

Cikitsa (natural therapy and treatment for medical conditions)

Source: Wisdom Library: Ayurveda: Cikitsa

Harītakī (हरीतकी):—A Sanskrit word referring to the “Yellow myrobalan tree”, a deciduous tree from the Combretaceae family of flowering plants. It is used throughout Ayurvedic literature such as the Caraka-saṃhitā. Its official botanical name is Terminalia chebula and there are seven different varieties:

  1. Vijayā – (found in Vindhya mountain range)
  2. Rohiṇi – (found in Pratishtanaka)
  3. Pūtanā – (found in Sindh area)
  4. Amṛtā – (found in Champa, Bhagalpur area)
  5. Abhayā – (found in Champa, Bhagalpur area)
  6. Jivanti – (found in Saurashtra region of Gujarath)
  7. Chetaki – (found in Himachal Pradesh)

This plant (Harītakī) is also mentioned as a medicine used for the treatment of all major fevers (jvara), as described in the Jvaracikitsā (or “the treatment of fever”) which forms the first chapter of the Sanskrit work called Mādhavacikitsā. In this work, the plant is also known by the names Pathyā and Abhayā. In this work, the plant is mentioned being part of the Triphalā group of medicinal drugs.

Source: Ancient Science of Life: Botanical identification of plants described in Mādhava Cikitsā

Harītakī (हरीतकी) (or Abhayā, Pathyā) (one of the Triphala) refers to the medicinal plant Terminalia chebula Retz., and is used in the treatment of atisāra (diarrhoea), according to the 7th century Mādhavacikitsā chapter 2. Atisāra refers to a condition where there are three or more loose or liquid stools (bowel movements) per day or more stool than normal.  The second chapter of the Mādhavacikitsā explains several preparations [including Harītakī] through 60 Sanskrit verses about treating this problem.

Dietetics and Culinary Art (such as household cooking)

Source: Shodhganga: Dietetics and culinary art in ancient and medieval India

1) Hārītakī (हारीतकी) refers to a type of fruit-bearing plant, according to the Bhelasaṃhitā, and is commonly found in literature dealing with the topics of dietetics and culinary art, also known as Pākaśāstra or Pākakalā.—We can see the description of flowering and fruit bearing plants in Ṛgveda. But we come across the specific names of them only in the later Saṃhita and Brāhmaṇa literature. [...] Bhela especially recommends the use of āmalaka before food, hārītakī after the food and vibhītakī after the digestion of the food.

2) Hārītakī (हारीतकी) refers to a type of spices according to Arthaśāstra II.15.21.—Arthaśāstra refers to the spices like śṛṅgibera, ajāji, kirītatikta, gaura, sarṣapa, kustumaburu, coraka, damanaka, maruvaka, śigru, harītakī and meṣaśṛṅga.

Kalpa (Formulas, Drug prescriptions and other Medicinal preparations)

Source: Ancient Science of Life: Yogaśataka of Pandita Vararuci

Harītakī (हरीतकी) refers to a medicinal plant known as Terminalia chebula Retz., and is mentioned in the 10th century Yogaśataka written by Pandita Vararuci.—The Yogaśataka of Pandita Vararuci is an example of this category. This book attracts reader by its very easy language and formulations which can be easily prepared and have small number of herbs (viz., Harītakī). It describes only those formulations which are the most common and can be used in majority conditions of diseases.

Source: Ancient Science of Life: Evaluation of Cyavanaprāśa on Health and Immunity related Parameters in Healthy Children

Harītakī (हरीतकी) refers to the medicinal plant known as Terminalia chebula, P., and is used in the Ayurvedic formulation known as Cyavanaprāśa: an Ayurvedic health product that helps in boosting immunity.—Cyavanaprāśa has been found to be effective as an immunity booster, vitalizer and a preventer of day to day infections and allergies such as common cold and cough etc. It is a classical Ayurvedic formulation comprising ingredients such as Harītakī. [...] Cyavanaprāśa can be consumed in all seasons as it contains weather friendly ingredients which nullify unpleasant effects due to extreme environmental and climatic conditions.

Source: Shodhganga: Edition translation and critical study of yogasarasamgraha

Harītakī (हरीतकी) is another name for “Abhayā” and is dealt with in the 15th-century Yogasārasaṅgraha (Yogasara-saṅgraha) by Vāsudeva: an unpublished Keralite work representing an Ayurvedic compendium of medicinal recipes. The Yogasārasaṃgraha [mentioning harītakī] deals with entire recipes in the route of administration, and thus deals with the knowledge of pharmacy (bhaiṣajya-kalpanā) which is a branch of pharmacology (dravyaguṇa).

Veterinary Medicine (The study and treatment of Animals)

Source: Asian Agri-History: Paśu Āyurvēda (Veterinary Medicine) in Garuḍapurāṇa

Harītakī (हरीतकी) refers to Terminalia chebula, and is used in medical preparations for the treatment of an epidemic outbreak amongst horses, according to sections on Horses (Gajāyurveda or Aśvāyurveda) in the Garuḍapurāṇa.—In the stud form when suddenly the horses assume uniformity in colour and features or die together, it must be immediately considered as an epidemic outbreak. It has to be managed and should take proper precautionary measures to prevent it. [...] The medicine known as harītakī-kalpa given to horses under these circumstances will be beneficial. The mode of administration of harītakī-kalpa is as follows:—“On the first day, five Harītakī (Terminalia chebula) pasted together with gomūtra (cow's urine), taila (gingili oil), and Lavaṇa (rock salt) are given. Every day the dosage is increased by five harītakī till the maximum of hundred.The uttama-mātrā (best dose) is hundred, and eighty madhyama (average) and sixty Harītakī is adhama/kaniṣṭha-mātrā (the smallest 2, 3, 4, 5 dose)”.

Toxicology (Study and Treatment of poison)

Source: Shodhganga: Kasyapa Samhita—Text on Visha Chikitsa

Harītakī (हरीतकी) refers to an herbal ingredient which is included in a (snake) poison antidote recipe , according to the Kāśyapa Saṃhitā: an ancient Sanskrit text from the Pāñcarātra tradition dealing with both Tantra and Viṣacikitsā—an important topic from Āyurveda which deals with the study of Toxicology (Viṣavidyā or Sarpavidyā).—Kāśyapa prescribes various antidotes to quell the poison by administering them through nasal drugs, collyrium, ointment, herbal drinks and diet. According to Kāśyapasaṃhitā (verse VIII.20)—“Another powerful nasal application that can effectively neutralise snake poison comprises a mixture of equal measures of powdered kitchen soot, two kinds of Niśā, Harītakī, Vacā, Lodhra, Hingu, leaves of Nimba tree, Taṇḍulīya, one droṇa juice of the root of Śigru made into a paste”.

Unclassified Ayurveda definitions

Source: Google Books: Essentials of Ayurveda

Harītakī (हरीतकी).—The Sanskrit name for an important Ayurvedic drug.—The name is significant as it destroys (harati) all doṣas and eliminates malas (faeces etc). It also promotes dhātus.

Source: PMC: Ayurvedic management of postlumbar myelomeningocele surgery

It is also suggested that intake of Harītakī (Terminalia chebula) with different anupānas (vehicles) in different seasons not only helps to prevent seasonal diseases but also helps in regeneration of diseased cells.

Source: PMC: Haritaki (Chebulic myrobalan) and its varieties

Haritaki (Terminalia chebula Retz., Family: Combretaceae) possesses a great therapeutic value and is widely distributed in India, up to an altitude of 1500 m. Though Terminalia chebula Retz is the only botanical source of Haritaki, the uses of its varieties along with their sources, identifying features and therapeutic uses are described in Ayurvedic classics and other medical literature. In Ayurveda seven varieties of Haritaki fruits, namely, Vijaya, Rohini, Putana, Amrita, Abhaya, Jivanti, and Chetaki has been described.

Source: Namah Journal: An overview of certain Āyurvedic herbs in the management of viral hepatitis

Haritakī (हरितकी) refers to the medicinal plant known as Terminalia chebula (Gaetn.), Retz., and is employed in the treatment of Kāmala.—Among the single and compound preparations described in Āyurveda for the treatment of kāmala, some of the drugs have been found to be effective. A scientific study of the drugs [viz., Haritakī] was carried out and significant response observed.

Ayurveda book cover
context information

Āyurveda (आयुर्वेद, ayurveda) is a branch of Indian science dealing with medicine, herbalism, taxology, anatomy, surgery, alchemy and related topics. Traditional practice of Āyurveda in ancient India dates back to at least the first millenium BC. Literature is commonly written in Sanskrit using various poetic metres.

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Dharmashastra (religious law)

Source: Wisdom Library: Dharma-śāstra

Harītakī (हरीतकी) is a Sanskrit word, identified with Terminalia chebula (black myrobalan) by various scholars in their translation of the Śukranīti. This tree is mentioned as having thorns, and should therefore be considered as wild. The King shoud place such trees in forests (not in or near villages). He should nourish them by stoole of goats, sheep and cows, water as well as meat.

The following is an ancient Indian horticultural recipe for the nourishment of such trees:

According to Śukranīti 4.4.110-112: “The powder of the dungs of goats and sheep, the powder of Yava (barley), Tila (seeds), beef as well as water should be kept together (undisturbed) for seven nights. The application of this water leads very much to the growth in flowers and fruits of all trees (such as harītakī).”

Dharmashastra book cover
context information

Dharmashastra (धर्मशास्त्र, dharmaśāstra) contains the instructions (shastra) regarding religious conduct of livelihood (dharma), ceremonies, jurisprudence (study of law) and more. It is categorized as smriti, an important and authoritative selection of books dealing with the Hindu lifestyle.

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Purana and Itihasa (epic history)

[«previous next»] — Haritaki in Purana glossary
Source: archive.org: Shiva Purana - English Translation

Harītakī (हरीतकी) refers to one of the myrobalans, as defined in the Śivapurāṇa 1.16. Accordingly, “by making gifts of Harītakī (one of the myrobalans), chillies, cloth, milk etc. and by installing Brahman, the alleviation of consumption is brought about”.

Purana book cover
context information

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.

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Biology (plants and animals)

Source: Wisdom Library: Local Names of Plants and Drugs

Haritaki [ಹರೀತಕಿ] in the Kannada language is the name of a plant identified with Terminalia chebula Retz. from the Combretaceae (Rangoon creeper) family. For the possible medicinal usage of haritaki, you can check this page for potential sources and references, although be aware that any some or none of the side-effects may not be mentioned here, wether they be harmful or beneficial to health.

Haritaki in the Bengali language, ibid. previous identification.

Source: Google Books: CRC World Dictionary (Regional names)

Haritaki in India is the name of a plant defined with Terminalia chebula in various botanical sources. This page contains potential references in Ayurveda, modern medicine, and other folk traditions or local practices It has the synonym Myrobalanus chebula (Retz.) Gaertn. (among others).

Example references for further research on medicinal uses or toxicity (see latin names for full list):

· Journal of Cytology and Genetics (1990)
· FBI (1878)
· Plant Systematics and Evolution (1996)
· Systema Naturae, ed. 12 (1767)
· De Fructibus et Seminibus Plantarum (1790)
· Observationes Botanicae (1789)

If you are looking for specific details regarding Haritaki, for example pregnancy safety, side effects, diet and recipes, health benefits, extract dosage, chemical composition, have a look at these references.

Biology book cover
context information

This sections includes definitions from the five kingdoms of living things: Animals, Plants, Fungi, Protists and Monera. It will include both the official binomial nomenclature (scientific names usually in Latin) as well as regional spellings and variants.

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Languages of India and abroad

Pali-English dictionary

[«previous next»] — Haritaki in Pali glossary
Source: BuddhaSasana: Concise Pali-English Dictionary

harītakī : (f.) yellow myrobalan.

Pali book cover
context information

Pali is the language of the Tipiṭaka, which is the sacred canon of Theravāda Buddhism and contains much of the Buddha’s speech. Closeley related to Sanskrit, both languages are used interchangeably between religions.

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Marathi-English dictionary

Source: DDSA: The Molesworth Marathi and English Dictionary

harītakī (हरीतकी).—f S pop. harttakī f Yellow or chebulic myrobalan, Terminalia chebula. Seven varieties are distinguished. See sapta harītakī.

Source: DDSA: The Aryabhusan school dictionary, Marathi-English

harītakī (हरीतकी).—f Yellow myrobalan.

context information

Marathi is an Indo-European language having over 70 million native speakers people in (predominantly) Maharashtra India. Marathi, like many other Indo-Aryan languages, evolved from early forms of Prakrit, which itself is a subset of Sanskrit, one of the most ancient languages of the world.

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Sanskrit dictionary

Source: DDSA: The practical Sanskrit-English dictionary

Harītakī (हरीतकी).—The yellow myrobalan tree (Mar. bāḷahiraḍā); सौवर्चलं यवक्षारं सर्जिकां च हरीतकीम् (sauvarcalaṃ yavakṣāraṃ sarjikāṃ ca harītakīm) Śiva B.3.17.

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Shabda-Sagara Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Harītakī (हरीतकी).—f. (-kī) Yellow or Chebulic myrobalan, (Terminalia chebula:) seven varieties of this are distinguished. E. hari green, (colour,) ita gone, got, kan added, fem. aff. ṅīṣ .

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Monier-Williams Sanskrit-English Dictionary

1) Haritakī (हरितकी):—[from haritaka > hari] f. Terminalia Chebula, [Divyāvadāna]

2) Harītakī (हरीतकी):—[from hari] f. (rarely ka mn.) the yellow Myrobalan tree, Terminalia Chebula (28 synonyms and seven varieties are enumerated; the fruit is used for dyeing yellow and as a laxative), [Suśruta; Harivaṃśa; Varāha-mihira’s Bṛhat-saṃhitā]

Source: Cologne Digital Sanskrit Dictionaries: Yates Sanskrit-English Dictionary

Harītakī (हरीतकी):—(kī) 3. f. Yellow or chebulic myrobalan.

Source: DDSA: Paia-sadda-mahannavo; a comprehensive Prakrit Hindi dictionary (S)

Harītakī (हरीतकी) in the Sanskrit language is related to the Prakrit words: Haraaī, Haraḍaī.

context information

Sanskrit, also spelled संस्कृतम् (saṃskṛtam), is an ancient language of India commonly seen as the grandmother of the Indo-European language family (even English!). Closely allied with Prakrit and Pali, Sanskrit is more exhaustive in both grammar and terms and has the most extensive collection of literature in the world, greatly surpassing its sister-languages Greek and Latin.

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Kannada-English dictionary

Source: Alar: Kannada-English corpus

Harītaki (ಹರೀತಕಿ):—

1) [noun] the tree Terminalia chebula of Combretaceae family.

2) [noun] its nut; black myrobalan.

context information

Kannada is a Dravidian language (as opposed to the Indo-European language family) mainly spoken in the southwestern region of India.

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