Post Halela Zard (Terminalia chebula Retz.): A Review on Medicinal Utility from the Perspective of Unani Medicine

Year : 2025 | Volume : 14 | Issue : 03 | Page : 19 26
    By

    Patel Mohd Furqan Ahmad,

  • Yezam Akhtar,

  • Sana Kauser Ateeque Ahmed,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Moalijat, Mohammadia Tibbiya College and Assayer Hospital, Malegaon, Nashik, Maharashtra, India
  2. Assistant Professor, Department of Tahaffuzi wa Samaji Tib (Community Medicine), Mohammadia Tibbia College & Assayer Hospital, Malegaon, Maharashtra, India
  3. Assistant Professor, Department of Mahiyatul Amraz (Pathology), Mohammadia Tibbia College & Assayer Hospital, Malegaon, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Halela Zard (Terminalia chebula Retz.), commonly known as Haritaki in Sanskrit and Chebulic Myrobalan in English, is a cornerstone of Unani pharmacotherapy due to its remarkable therapeutic versatility. The dried pericarp of its fruit has been extensively employed in traditional medicine for the treatment of a wide spectrum of ailments, ranging from digestive disturbances to chronic systemic disorders. This review aims to present a comprehensive overview of Halela Zard by integrating classical Unani literature with modern scientific findings, thereby reinforcing its status as a valuable medicinal agent. Classical Unani texts describe Halela Zard as possessing a cold and dry temperament (2°) and enumerate its key actions as a muhallil (resolvent), daaf-e-samoom (detoxicant), qabiz (astringent), muqawwi dimagh (brain tonic), and munaqqi-e-dam (blood purifier). It is a principal ingredient in several canonical compound formulations, notably Itrifal Zamani and Itrifal Ustukhuddoos, used for conditions like chronic headaches, melancholia, and digestive weakness. Botanical and phytochemical investigations have identified several active constituents, including chebulagic acid, chebulinic acid, gallic acid, ellagic acid, and phloroglucinol, which are known for their potent antioxidant, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective properties. Pharmacological studies further substantiate its efficacy in treating bacterial and fungal infections, oxidative stress-related conditions, and promoting wound healing. The convergence of Unani wisdom with modern evidence affirms the enduring relevance of Halela Zard in both traditional and integrative medicine. This review advocates for further clinical trials and interdisciplinary research to explore its full therapeutic potential, particularly as a safe and effective adjunct in managing chronic inflammatory diseases, microbial infections, and neurological disorders.

Keywords: Halela Zard, Terminalia chebula, Unani medicine, phytochemistry, pharmacological activities

[This article belongs to Journal of AYUSH: Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy ]

How to cite this article:
Patel Mohd Furqan Ahmad, Yezam Akhtar, Sana Kauser Ateeque Ahmed. Post Halela Zard (Terminalia chebula Retz.): A Review on Medicinal Utility from the Perspective of Unani Medicine. Journal of AYUSH: Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. 2025; 14(03):19-26.
How to cite this URL:
Patel Mohd Furqan Ahmad, Yezam Akhtar, Sana Kauser Ateeque Ahmed. Post Halela Zard (Terminalia chebula Retz.): A Review on Medicinal Utility from the Perspective of Unani Medicine. Journal of AYUSH: Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy. 2025; 14(03):19-26. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/joayush/article=2025/view=231774


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Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 14
Issue 03
Received 03/06/2025
Accepted 21/06/2025
Published 22/06/2025
Publication Time 19 Days
115

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