Indian Medicinal Plants

654 Terminalia citrina Roxb. ex Flem.
T
Puutanaa, Vijayaa, Abhayaa, Rohini,
Chetaki, Amritaa—according to
some scholars, these represent seven
varieties of Haritaki; now used as
synonyms.)
Unani ◮ Harad, Halelaa siyaah,
Halelaa zard, Halelaa Kaabuli
(varieties).
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Kadukkai.
Action ◮ Gentle purgative, astringent
(unripe fruits are more purgative,
ripe ones are more astringent;
sennoside A and anthraquinone
glycoside is laxative, tannins are
astringent), stomachic, antibilious,
alterative. Used in prescriptions
for treating flatulence, constipation,
diarrhoea, dysentery, cyst, digestive
disorders, vomiting, enlarged liver
and spleen, cough and bronchial
asthma, and for metabolic harmony.
Bark—diuretic.
The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India,
along with other therapeutic applications,
indicated the use of powder
of mature fruits in intermittent fevers,
chronic fevers, anaemia and polyuria.
The fruits of T. chebula are used
in combination with Emblica officinalis
and T. bellirica (under the name
Triphalaa) in the treatment of liver
and kidney dysfunctions. The main
purgative ingredient of Triphalaa is T.
chebula (the purgative principle is in
the pericarp of the fruit).
Shikimic, gallic, triacontanoic and
palmitic acids, beta-sitosterol, daucosterol,
triethyl ester of chebulic acid and
ethyl ester of gallic acid; a new ellagitannin,
terchebulin, along with punicalagin
and teaflavin A have been isolated
from the fruits. A new triterpene,
chebupentol, and arjungenin, terminoic
acid and arjunolic acid were also
isolated from the fruit.
Antioxidant constituents of the
plant, phloroglucinol and pyrogallol
have been isolated along with ferulic,
vanillic, p-coumaric and caffeic acids.
Ether extract showed higher antioxidant
activity than BHA and BHT, Acid
esters present in phenolic fraction of
extract, were found most effective.
Dosage ◮ Pericarp of mature fruit—
3–6 g powder. (API, Vol. I.)
Terminalia citrina Roxb. ex Flem.
Family ◮
Combretaceae.
Habitat ◮ Foothills of Himalayas
from Nepal eastwards to Assam.
Folk ◮ Haritaki (Bengal); Monalu
(Assam), Suravaari Harad (Gujarat).
Action ◮ Bark—diuretic, cardiotonic.
Fruits—used as those of T. chebula.
The tannin in the fruit is reported to
be between 30–40% of the dry weight.
Terminalia coriacea
Wight & Arn.
Family ◮ Combretaceae.
Habitat ◮ Western Andhra Pradesh
and Central India.
English ◮ Leathery Murdah.
Folk ◮ Tani (Andhra Pradesh)
Action ◮ Bark—cardiac stimulant.