Haritaki is a buzzword you may have heard thrown around in the health and wellness space as of late. But, what actually is it?
Haritaki is actually a type of tree that is native to India and southern Asia. When the fruit of the tree is dried, it creates the kind of “haritaki” that has been used for generations in ayurvedic medicine. Haritaki is actually one of the three dried fruits of the “triphala,” or the ayurvedic formula.
You can find it in powder form or already put in capsules for supplementation, as it does have a quite bitter taste. The dried fruit powder has lots of Vitamin C and other substances within in it that have both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Common Haritaki Uses:
People commonly use this supplement to health a multitude of things, including:
-
Sore throat
-
Allergies
-
Indigestion
-
Constipation
Confirmed Haritaki Benefits:
While there’s not much clinical support for the claims what can happen with haritaki powder, there is evidence from preliminary animal research studies. Here’s a summary of the support Haritaki has from research and clinical studies:
-
In one study, researchers were able to determine that use of haritaki helped to reduce the cholesterol levels and triglycerides in mice.
-
In another study, scientists found that haritaki helped to express certain antioxidants which fight something called oxidative stress. Additionally, they observed that the supplement helped aging rats with concentration through boosting many antioxidants in the body.
-
A 2010 animal study showed that animals with metabolic syndrome showed a decrease in blood sugar levels when using haritaki.
-
Preliminary clinical research also suggests that it may help prevent cavities when used in the form of a mouthwash.
-
A small study found that it may help with pain management, as it helped participants increase their threshold for pain and their tolerance for it.
Haritaki Safety and Side Effects
While the long-term safety of the supplement hasn’t been studied closely, we do know that it is still used in ayurvedic healing still today after all these years.
The only known precaution to date involves those who already take blood sugar lowering medications. In combination with haritaki, it may have harmful effects so it’s important to always speak to your doctor before combining the supplement with your medication.
Beyond that, it should be clarified that the fruit and the stone of the fruit should not actually be consumed. It should only be used as a dried fruit powder or supplement. Also consider that because the supplement is not regulated or approved by any entity, there’s no way to guarantee any product you buy has been tested for safety. You should assume your own risk when buying products, but doing a bit of research and consumer investigation before choosing the right haritaki product for you is always a good idea.
Possible Haritaki Benefits You May Reap
While there’s only a bit of clinical research about haritaki, there is ample information straight from those who have used it themselves claiming huge benefits from using the supplement.
Some of the claims you may find include:
-
Improved retention and memory
-
Constipation relief
-
Digestive cleansing
-
Lung infection prevention
-
Anti-aging
-
Cleansing wounds
-
Improved sexual function
While some claims are unfounded, such as the story that after taking haritaki, children are able to read books placed behind their head, there are other claims that are far more believable.
A natural boost in brain function, general digestive improvement, and benefits brought in part by the boosting of antioxidants in the body are all conceivable benefits that you may encounter when using haritaki.
Proceed with Caution
While it’s wonderful when you find a wellness trick that can boost your overall health and life, you must proceed with caution when trying anything without proper research backing it. That being said, many people have reaped incredible benefits from making haritaki powder a part of their daily lives, so why not give it a shot?
No Comments