Terminalia chebula is a species native to southern Asia, Nepal, India, south west China, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Vietnam.

It is a tree growing to 30 m tall, with a trunk up to 1 m diameter. The fruit is blackish with five longitudinal ridges.

The nut-like fruits are picked when still green. They are either pickled or boiled with sugar, or used in concoctions.

The seed is elliptical in shape and is enveloped by a fleshy and firm pulp. It is regarded as a universal panacea in Ayurvedic medicines and Tibetian medicines.

It can cure blindness and inhibit malignant tumors.

Names in Indian languages:-

1. Urdu………….Harad, Harada.

2. Marathi……..Hirada

3. Kannada…….Alalekaayi.

4. Tamizh……….Kadukkai,

5. Bengali………Horitoki

6. Assamese…..Hilikha

7. Telugu………..Karakkaaya.

The bark/peel of the nut is placed inside the cheek.
The resulting saliva, bitter in taste has medicinal qualities to cure cold related coughs.

Its fruit promotes digestion, has anti-inflammatory, aphrodisiac and restorative properties. It controls flatulence, constipation, piles, cough and colds.