Haritaki
Haritaki or Kadukaai (Terminalia chebula) is a wonder drug, finding its place in a wide range of therapeutic usage in the Ayurveda system of medicine. It is a very large tree growing throughout the deciduous forests of India and Sri Lanka, growing up to 2000m.
Haritaki is described as the ‘remover of diseases’ and it is the drink of the Gods. It is said in ancient scriptures that the Haritaki came to life when a nectar drop fell from the cup of Indra, the King of heaven.
Etymylogy
Hara is the name of Lord Shiva, thus reflecting the sacred nature and exalted position of the plant. It literally means ‘green’. It is also ‘abhaya’ or ‘fearless’ of any disease. It is said to have originated when a drop of immortal nectar (amrita) fell from heaven to earth. It is considered to be the best herb for the digestive system and lungs.
Scriptural References
The power of Haritaki is recorded in ‘Chikitsa Sthana’, the special therapy section of the the early Ayurvedic text, the “Charaka Samhita”, or the ‘Compendium of Charaka’ dating back to 300 B.C. Ayurveda is the sacred science of longevity, hoslitic health, wellbeing in the vedic tradition.
Haritaki in Nithyananda Lineage
The Master has declared Haritaki as a prasada, a sacred offering to the divine, and shared with all. Kadukkai powder routine is a gift to the Nithyananda lineage from the Madurai Aadhenam lineage, which also directly sources its roots from Lord Shiva and Mother Parvati as ‘Sundareswarar and Meenakshi’. Paramahamsa Nithyananda, as the 293rd pontiff of Madurai Aadheenam has gifted this rare practice to His disciple lineage.
It is served at all Nithyananda Ashrams, temples, and centers as a blessing from the divine. Anyone living spiritual practices should intake Haritaki.
Haritaki – The Wonder Medicine for the Brain
Paramahamsa Nithyananda has announced the Haritaki as the wonder medicine for the brain. This discovery is one of the biggest gifts to humanity, which can rapidly heal numerous diseases and ailments.
*1. The Cure All Herb – Paramahamsa Nithyananda Paramashivam has termed Kadukkai Podi as ‘Sarva Roga Nivarani’ (‘that which heals all diseases’) in Sanskrit. For centuries, Ayurveda healers have called Haritaki the ‘king of medicines’. Ayurvedic healers believe it exists to destroy all diseases, eliminates all waste from the body, and promote tissue growth and health.
In the vedic tradition, the word ‘roga’ not just implies to physical diseases, but also extends to all sufferings that make us powerless, and thus out-of-integrity – physically, mentally, consciously. This wonder-medicine removes the body’s toxins in a natural way and makes one more energetic. It also purifies the blood and removes fat residues from the arteries and veins. It heals diabetes, hypertension and heart problems. It helps the vision to become sharp.
*2. Weeding Out the Root Patterns – Made of the powdered nut of the kadukka tree native to India, this medicine works in a subtle way on the mind as well, wiping away all the engraved memories (samskaras) and negative mental patterns, helping one to become aware of the inauthenticities, and complete with their root patterns.
*3. Awakening Non-Mechanical Parts of the Brain – It enhances the build-up of prana, a subtle energy which awakens the non-mechanical parts of the brain, making the brain and body fresh and alive. When the non-mechanical parts of the brain are awakened, it makes one more capable, sensitive and intelligent, and the person starts growing in awareness. With these new capabilities, when one receives the higher truths, they are absorbed more easily. The person starts using and applying the great truths and understandings as a key to every situation. This kind of psychological revolution helps one reorganize one’s thoughts and activities towards a more healthy, joyful and ecstatic life based on the newer understandings.
*4. Body-Mind Rejuvanation – Haritaki helps in the intellect, the strength of the body, stimulates the senses and aids to expel the urine, stool and other waste material from the body easily, rejuvenating the body. The gargles with the decoction of Haritaki Powder soothes the throat. It is a digestive aid. It helps in the pulmonary system of the body. It is also very beneficial for gums. It improves digestion, promotes the absorption of nutrients, and regulates colon function.
In the Words of the Master
Paramahamsa Nithyananda reveals the immaculate properties, and physical, mental and spiritual benefits of the Haritaki.
“The oxygen level in the blood increases to 300%. The whole stomach gets cleansed. That is one thing. The main thing is the whole blood becomes pure. 300% oxygen means equivalent to 2 hours of Pranayama.
Your whole ulcer gets healed. The stomach has subtle small ulcers. The whole ulcer gets healed. Mouth ulcer, stomach ulcer, gets healed. And the oxygen level in the blood drastically increases.
The laziness, sleep comes down. Feels like as if you have done 2 hours of Pranayama. So do not miss Kadukai podi in powder. Don’t take as a legyam and all just Kadukai podi one teaspoon. Somehow swallow and drink the water. It is a ‘Sarvaroga Nivarani’. Just like morning neem juice, night Kadukai podi. Night Kadukai podi. Your blood pressure, diabetes everything becomes normal.
If you have mouth smell, take Kadukkai podi for three days, it will be healed. Mouth smells only because of stomach ulcers and the heat. You may be from any background, Kadukkai podi is the healer of all deceases. Kadukai podi increases your longevity. The power of the Kadukkai podi – it just makes you young.”
Instructions
Every day before going to bed take 1 tbsp of Haritaki powder. Take the raw powder into the mouth. You can even use your finger and brush it all over your mouth, like brushing. Please take it gently and allow it to fully mix with your saliva. Then, simply drink water, and gargle down the water. While Haritaki has its unique taste during intake, within few minutes, you will enjoy the nectarine sweet flavor.
When to Take
Just before going to bed. Niraharis never miss Haritaki powder and can repeat intake in morning, or anytime during the day to regulate body heat, and clean up their stomach.
Availability
At Nithyananda Gallarias worldwide, or at Ayurvedic, herbal medical stores.
More About Haritaki
Botanical name : Terminalia chebula Retz. & Willd. (Combretaceae)
Sanskrit Name: Haritaki, Abhaya, Pathya
Vernacular Names: Chebulic myrobalan (English), Harda (Hindi), Analekai (Kannada), Kadukai (Malayalam), Kadukaai (Tamil), Kaduka (Telugu)
Part used: Fruit
Taste (Rasa): Astringent (Kashaya), sour (Amla), sweet (Madhura), pungent (Katu) and bitter (Tikta)
Property (Guna): Light (Laghu), dry (Ruksha)
Potency (Veerya): Sweet (Madhura)
Post digestive effect (Vipaka): Sweet (Madhura)
Actions (Karma): Alleviates vitiation of all 3 doshas (Tridosha hara)
Significant rejuvenative actions (Rasayana Karmas):
Appetizer and digestive (Dipana- Pachana), promotes longevity (Ayushya), cures anemia (Pandughna), cures diabetes (Pramehaghna), enhances memory (Buddhiprada), enhances strength of sense organs (Indriya balaprada), eases passage of waste products (Anulomana)
Health Benefits
The Fruit
*Main Ingredient in Many Ayurvedic Formulations- The fruits of Haritaki are one of the main ingredients in many Ayurvedic formulations. Eg: The popular ‘Triphala’.
*Nutritional Value- Haritaki fruits are highly nutritious for human health as they contain various vitamins, minerals and proteins. They are an excellent source of vitamin C. These fruits are also rich in several minerals including selenium, potassium, manganese, iron and copper.
The fruits are also proved to have strong antibacterial and cardiotonic properties. They prevent the growth of many harmful intestinal bacteria.These fruits are beneficial for the five senses as they improve their receiving powers.
*Used For Healing Ailments- A half tsp. of fruit pulp powder when ingested every night followed by a little warm water is used for healing ulcers (of both mouth and stomach) and wounds.
It is used as an eyewash, for relief from various eye-infections.
Gargling with a decoction made from the fruits is very good for fighting oral ulcers, stomatitis and sore throat.
Haritaki fruit, mixed with dry ginger powder and hot water, is used for treating asthma and hiccups.
This fruit is used for fighting many diseases including leprosy, chronic as well as intermittent fever, narcosis, diarrhea and anorexia. It is a good nervine. It is used in nervous weakness, nervous irritability. Its fruit pulp increases the oxygen levels of the blood, thereby promoting longevity of tissues.
These fruits are used for fighting many digestive disorders such as flatulence, distention and parasitic infections.A decoction of this fruit is used to fight against hepatitis and obesity.
The Powder
- A paste of Haritaki and water is found to be anti-inflammatory and analgesic. Its decoction as a lotion is a surgical dressing for healing wounds.
- It reduces lipid deposits in the blood and liver.
- When consumed with honey, it helps reduce cholesterol.
- Its powder is a good astringent for loose gums, bleeding and ulceration in gums.
- Powdered Haritaki is used along with ghee and honey for curing anemia.
- It is good for chronic cough, sore throat and asthma.
- It is useful in skin disorders with discharges, like allergies.
- It is used to treat chronic fever.
- On long term use, it is helpful in gaining weight in the emaciated persons and in losing weight in obese persons.
- When taken with meals it sharpens the intellect, increases strength, stimulates the senses, expels the urine, stool and other waste materials from the body. It saves the person from the vitiating effects of bodily humors.
- Haritaki reduces the ill effects of fat rich, creamy and oily food. Haritaki is the definite aid for persons who habitually overeat.
- Haritaki is reputed for its alterative, adaptogenic and tonic effect when used throughout the year with different substances in different six seasons of the year. If we review all the herbal formulations in Ayurveda’s all classical texts, we will find haritaki to be one of the most frequently used ayurvedic herbs. In Ayurveda, haritaki is the best for purifying the channels of the body.