Origin, Distribution and Composition
Chebulic myroblan is a wonderful herb and is known as long-life elixir. It is the fruit of a middle-sized or large tree which has egg-shaped 10 to 20 cm long leaves and dull white flowers in spikes at the end of its branches. The fruit, which is 2 to 4 cm long, has five distinct ribs on its body.
Chebulic myroblan is indigenous to India. It has been used in Indian system of medicine for a very long time. The physicians in ancient India used it in the treatment of
diarrhoea, dysentery, heart-burn, flatulence, dyspepsia and liver and spleen disorders. There is an old Indian proverb which says, "If one bites a piece of haritaki everyday after meals and swallows its juice, he will remain free from all
diseases."
The fruit of chebulic myroblan contains an astringent substance. The astringency is due to the characteristic principle chebulinic acid. It also contains tannic acid, gallic acid, resin and some purgative principle of the nature of anthraquinone.
Healing Power and Curative Properties
Among its many medicinal virtues, is its use as a mild, safe and efficacious laxative. The drug helps arrest secretion or bleeding and strengthens the
stomach and promotes its action. It is useful in correcting disordered processes of nutrition by which the organism ingests, digests, absorbs, utilises and excretes food substance and restores the normal function of the system. This herb is one of the ingredients of the famous
Ayurvedic preparation triphala which is used in the treatment of enlarged liver,
stomach disorders and pain in the eyes.
Acidity
The juice of chebulic myroblan is highly beneficial in the treatment of acidity and heart-burn. It neutralizes the acidity in the
stomach , if taken after meals. For better results, this juice should be combined with the juice of Indian gooseberry (anda). Chewing a piece of chebulic myroblan is an age-old remedy for heart-burn.
Asthma
A piece of the fruit chewed every night, will reduce asthmatic tendencies to the minimum.
As a mild laxative, chebulic myroblan is useful in
constipation. Either the pulp of 2 or 3 fruits with a little rock salt or a decoction of 6 fruits and 4 grams of cloves or cinnamon, should be taken daily at bed time to relieve
constipation.
Diarrhoea and Dysentery
This herb is also an effective remedy for chronic
diarrhoea and dysentery. Four grams of the pulp of the unripe fruit is given with honey and aromatics such as clove and cinnamon twice a day in the treatment of these
diseases.
Piles
Chebulic myroblan is a popular remedy for piles. The fresh fruits should be fried to a golden brown colour in castor oil, powdered and stored. Half a teaspoon of this dissolved on the tongue at bedtime brings about normal bowel movement in the morning and its astringent property heals the pile masses.