Last Updated on: 15/10/2026
Haritaki (Terminalia Chebula) – A Review of Clinical Research
Haritaki has been described as rasayana in Ayurveda. In order to validate the claims made in ayurveda texts, we went looking ahead for the research evidence in favour of/against the claim.
We searched pubmed as the database for the research articles. Paid databases were not part of the search. Google scholar was not used in view of lack of option of systematic advanced search option.
Search strategy followed for pubmed was (“terminalia chebula”[Title/Abstract] OR “Harad”[Title/Abstract] OR “Harada”[Title/Abstract] OR “Harade”[Title/Abstract] OR “Haritaki”[Title/Abstract] OR “chebulic myrobalan”[Title/Abstract] OR “black myrobalan”[Title/Abstract]) AND (“randomized controlled trial”[Title/Abstract] OR “controlled trial”[Title/Abstract] OR “clinical trial”[Title/Abstract] OR “clinical study”[Title/Abstract] OR “prospective study”[Title/Abstract] OR “pre post study”[Title/Abstract] OR “observational study”[Title/Abstract] OR “interventional study”[Title/Abstract] OR “case series”[Title/Abstract]) on 13/10/2026.
The search strategy yielded 241 results. One study was removed as duplicate and 240 research titles and abstract were screened for the relevant studies. Screening resulted in further removal of 329 articles due to non-relevance and use of combination of dravyas (medicinal plants) as intervention. One article was added after going through the reference list of the included articles. Finally a review of 13 articles was done.
Included studies are shown in table 1.
Terminalia Chebula – Characteristics of Included Studies
| Authors/Study Design | Study Title | Diagnosis | Duration/Groups/Numbers | Intervention |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rout A.K., 2011 Comparative Study | A clinical study of Haritaki and Saindhava Lavana in Kaphaja Kasa with special reference to Samyoga Guna | Kaphaja Kasa | Twice daily for 7 Days A: 6 B: 6 C: 7 Data: 0 & 7 days | A: Haritaki tablet 2g BD B: Saindava Lavana 2g BD C: A+B BD |
| Joshi SG, 2014 Randomized Comparative Study | A comparative clinical study of Asanadi Ghanavati and Gomutra Haritaki in Kapha Medo Margavarana (dyslipidemia) | Dyslipidemia | 8 weeks A: 30 B: 30 Data: 0 & 8 weeks | A: Asanadi Ghanavati 1g TDS B: Gomutra Haritaki 1g TDS |
| Banazadeh M., 2022 RCT | Evaluating the effect of black myrobalan on cognitive, positive, and negative symptoms in patients with chronic schizophrenia: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial | Schizophrenia | 4 weeks A: 24 B: 24 Data: 0 & 4 weeks | A: TC 1.5g BD B: Placebo BD |
| Smitha A.V., 2021 RCT | Efficacy of Rituharitaki (seasonal adjuvant of Haritaki) on disorders of Varsha Ritu (monsoon) w.s.r. to quality of life: An open labelled randomized controlled clinical trial | Healthy Volunteers | At 6:30AM daily for 60 days A: 30 B: 30 Data: 0, 20, 40, 60 day | A: Haritaki 3g + Sandava Lavana 1g at 6:30AM daily B: No intervention |
| Randhawa M., 2021 RCT | Standardized Terminalia chebula Fruit Extract: A Natural Ingredient That Provides Long-Lasting Antioxidant Protection and Reverses Visible Signs of Pollution-Induced Skin Damage | Healthy Female Subjects with chronic pollution exposure | 8 Weeks A: 26 B: 26 Data: 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 weeks | A: 1% TC Fruit Extract for application on face BD B: Placebo BD |
| Kheirieh A.E., 2024 RCT | Evaluating the efficacy of Terminalia chebula Retz. 5% cream compared to hydroquinone 2% cream in the treatment of melasma | Female patients with Epidermal Facial Melasma | At Bedtime for 12 Weeks A: 15 B: 15 Data: 0, 4, 8, 12 weeks | A: Terminalia Chebula 5% cream at bedtime B: Hydroquinone 2% cream at bedtime |
| Parapur S.T., 2023 RCT | Evaluation of the efficacy of topical Terminalia chebula Retz. with vinegar in the treatment of tinea corporis: a non-inferiority randomized controlled trial | Tinea Corporis | Twice Daily for 40 Days A: 21 B: 19 Data: 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 day | A: Terminalia Chebula fruit powder mixed with vinegar (1:1) – Topical B: Terbinafine Hydrochloride 1% – Topical |
| Mali S., 2018 RCT | Efficacy of Myristica fragrans and Terminalia chebula as Pulpotomy Agents in Primary Teeth: A Clinical Study | Subjects with at least two primary molars requiring pulpotomy | 12 Months 20 Participants (40 primary molars) Data: 0, 3, 6, 12 months | A: Nutmeg 2% gel B: Harad 2% gel C: Formocresol (5 – 8 Minutes procedure at baseline) |
| Carounanidy U., 2007 Pre-post study (serial measures) | Use of an aqueous extract of Terminalia chebula as an anticaries agent: a clinical study | Males and females at high risk of caries | 40 Seconds rinse Data: At Baseline, 10, 30, 60 & 90 min | 50 subjects 10% Aqueous extract of Haritaki mouth rinse |
| Palit M., 2016 RCT | Effectiveness of Mouthrinse formulated from Aqueous Extract of Terminalia chebula on Salivary Streptococcus mutans Count and pH among 8- to 12-year-old School Children of Karnataka: A Randomized Clinical Trial | Healthy Children with high caries risk | 1 min rinse A: 20 B: 20 C: 20 Data: At Baseline, 10, 60, & 90 min | A: 5ml of 10% w/v TC hot aqueous extract B: 5ml of 10% w/v TC cold aqueous extracts C: Sterile distilled water |
| Pingali U., 2020 RCT | Effect of an aqueous extract of Terminalia chebula on endothelial dysfunction, systemic inflammation, and lipid profile in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study | Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus | Twice Daily for 12 Weeks A: 20 B: 20 C: 20 Data: 0, 12 weeks | A: Terminalia Chebula 250 BD B: Terminalia Chebula 500 BD C: Placebo BD |
| Lopez HL., 2017 RCT | Effects of dietary supplementation with a standardized aqueous extract of Terminalia chebula fruit (AyuFlex(®)) on joint mobility, comfort, and functional capacity in healthy overweight subjects: a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial | Healthy overweight subjects | Twice daily for 84 days A: 35 B: 35 C: 35 Data: Baseline & 84 days | A: TC 250mg BD B: TC 500mg BD C: Placebo BD |
| Pokuri V.K., 2016 RCT – Crossover | A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study to evaluate analgesic activity of Terminalia chebula in healthy human volunteers using a mechanical pain model | 12 Healthy volunteers | Immediate effects A: 12 B: 12 Data: Baseline & 3 hours | A: TC 1000mg stat B: Placebo stat |
Out of these 13 studies, two have focussed on metabolic syndrome (dyslipidemia and T2DM); three studies have targeted issues associated with oral cavity; and three studies targeted different skin conditions.
For further details on the results of the studies and to grab relevant clinical insights, click on following links:
Use of Haritaki for various skin conditions
References:
1) Rout, A., & Dwivedi, R. (2011). A clinical study of Haritaki and Saindhava Lavana in Kaphaja Kasa with special reference to Samyoga Guna. AYU (an International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda), 32(3), 357–360. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-8520.93914
2) Joshi, S., Chandola, H., & Dave, A. (2014). A comparative clinical study of Asanadi Ghanavati and Gomutra Haritaki in Kapha Medo Margavarana (dyslipidemia). AYU (an International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda), 35(2), 152–159. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-8520.146231
3) Banazadeh M, Mehrabani M, Banazadeh N, Dabaghzadeh F, Shahabi F. Evaluating the effect of black myrobalan on cognitive, positive, and negative symptoms in patients with chronic schizophrenia: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Phytother Res. 2022 Jan;36(1):543-550. doi: 10.1002/ptr.7340. Epub 2021 Nov 23. PMID: 34814232.
4) Smitha, A., & Dilipkumar, K. (2019). Efficacy of Rituharitaki (seasonal adjuvant of Haritaki ) on disorders of Varsha Ritu (monsoon) w.s.r. to quality of life: An open labelled randomized controlled clinical trial. AYU (an International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda), 40(4), 223–229. https://doi.org/10.4103/ayu.AYU_243_18
5) Randhawa M, Meyer T, Sachdev M, Chaudhuri RK. Standardized Terminalia chebula Fruit Extract: A Natural Ingredient That Provides Long-Lasting Antioxidant Protection and Reverses Visible Signs of Pollution-Induced Skin Damage. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2021;14:1257-1269
https://doi.org/10.2147/CCID.S326492
6) Kheirieh, A. E., Sharififar, F., Ansari Dogaheh, M., Dabaghzadeh, F., Shamsi Meymandi, S. & Bakhshoudeh, B. (2024). Evaluating the efficacy of Terminalia chebula Retz. 5% cream compared to hydroquinone 2% cream in the treatment of melasma. Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine, 14(5), 527–536. https://doi.org/10.22038/ajp.2024.23932
7) Tasneem Parapur, Sumayya, Husain, Nazim, Khalid, Mohd, Mamdapur, Saba Abdul Razzaq and Kauser Khan, Khan Ameer. “Evaluation of the efficacy of topical Terminalia chebula Retz. with vinegar in the treatment of tinea corporis: a non-inferiority randomized controlled trial” Drug Metabolism and Personalized Therapy, vol. 38, no. 3, 2023, pp. 237-245. https://doi.org/10.1515/dmpt-2022-0188
8) Mali S, Singla S, Sharma A, Gautam A, Niranjan B, Jain S. Efficacy of Myristica fragrans and Terminalia chebula as Pulpotomy Agents in Primary Teeth: A Clinical Study. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2018 Nov-Dec;11(6):505-509. doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1565. PMID: 31303738; PMCID: PMC6611537.
9) Carounanidy, U., Satyanarayanan, R., & Velmurugan, A. (2007). Use of an aqueous extract of Terminalia chebula as an anticaries agent: A clinical study. Indian Journal of Dental Research, 18(4), 152–156. https://doi.org/10.4103/0970-9290.35823
10) Pingali U, Sukumaran D, Nutalapati C. Effect of an aqueous extract of Terminalia chebula on endothelial dysfunction, systemic inflammation, and lipid profile in type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical study. Phytother Res. 2020 Dec;34(12):3226-3235. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6771. Epub 2020 Jul 2. PMID: 32618037.
11) Palit M, Hegde SK, Bhat SS. Effectiveness of Mouthrinse formulated from Aqueous Extract of Terminalia chebula on Salivary Streptococcus mutans Count and pH among 8- to 12-year-old School Children of Karnataka: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Int J Clin Pediatr Dent. 2016 Oct-Dec;9(4):349-354. doi: 10.5005/jp-journals-10005-1390. Epub 2016 Dec 5. PMID: 28127168; PMCID: PMC5233703.
12) Lopez, H.L., Habowski, S.M., Sandrock, J.E. et al. Effects of dietary supplementation with a standardized aqueous extract of Terminalia chebula fruit (AyuFlex®) on joint mobility, comfort, and functional capacity in healthy overweight subjects: a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial. BMC Complement Altern Med 17, 475 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-017-1977-8
13) Pokuri VK, Kumar CU, Pingali U. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study to evaluate analgesic activity of Terminalia chebula in healthy human volunteers using a mechanical pain model. J Anaesthesiol Clin Pharmacol. 2016 Jul-Sep;32(3):329-32. doi: 10.4103/0970-9185.173365. PMID: 27625480; PMCID: PMC5009838.