There are several varieties of this tree, some of which have probably been produced by cultivation. T. citrina, Roxb., is considered by some to be a separate species. Dutt (Hindu Materia Medica) informs us that Chebulic myrobalans, in Sanskrit Haritaki, Abhaya, and Pathyá, were highly extolled by the ancient Hindus as a powerful alterative and tonic. They have received the names of Pranada or life-giver, Sudha or nectar, Bhishakpriya or Physician’s favourite and so forth.* A mythological origin has also been attributed to the tree. “It is said that when Indra was drinking amrita in heaven a drop of the fluid fell on the earth and produced the plant.” On this account it is called Shakra-srishtá “created by Indra.” Indian writers describe seven varieties of Haritaki, which however are nothing more than the same fruit in different stages of maturity. Very large fruit are considered particularly valuable, and fetch a fancy price. Chebulic myrobalans are considered to be laxative, stomachic, tonic, and alterative. They are prescribed alone or in combination with Emblic and Beleric myrobalans in a vast number of diseases, chiefly those affecting the chest and abdomen. The three myrobalans together are called triphala or the three fruits in Sanskrit. Various original receipts for their administration will be found in Dutt’s Hindu Materia Medica. Myrobalans were known to the early Arabian writers, and through them to the Greek writer Actuarius, who mentions five kinds. Nicolas Myrepsicus also notices them. The author of the Makhzan-el-Adwiya, on the subject of chebulic myrobalans, says that the very young fruit, about the size of cumin seeds, are called Halileh-i-zira; when about the size of a grain of barley, Halileh-i-jawi; when of the size of a raisin, Halileh-i-zangi or Halileh-i-hindi; when half arrived at maturity and yellowish, Halileh-i-chini; when still further advanced, Halileh-i-asfar; and lastly, when quite mature, Halileh-i-kabuli. Of these six varieties of chebulic myrobalans, the second, third, and last only are in general use for medicinal purposes, the fourth and fifth, also known as Rangári har or hirade, are chiefly used by tanners. The Mahometans, like the Hindus, attribute a great many fanciful properties to the drug; shortly, we may say, that the ripe fruit is chiefly used as a purgative, and is considered to remove bile, phlegm, and adust bile; it should be combined with aromatics, such as fennel seeds, caraways, &c. The Arabs say,—“Ihlilaj is in the stomach like an intelligent housewife, who is a good manager of the house.” The unripe fruit (Halileh-i-hindi or Himaja) is most valued on account of its astringent and aperient properties, and is a useful medicine in dysentery and diarrhœa; it should also be given with aromatics. Locally it is applied as an astringent. The first and second kind are supposed to have the same properties as the third in a less degree, and the fourth and fifth the same as the sixth in a less degree. The best way of administering myrobalans as a purgative is to make an infusion or decoction of from 2 to 4 drachms of fruit pulp with the addition of a pinch of caraway seeds and a little honey or sugar.
* The following are the synonyms of Haritaki in the Raja-nirghanta:—Har, Sivá, Pathyá, Chetakí, Vijayá, Jayá, Pramatthyá, Pramathá, Amoghá, Káyasthá, Pránadá, Amritá, Jivaniyá, Hemavati, Pútaná, Brantaná, Abhayá, Javasthá, Nandini, Sreyasi, Rohini. In Sankrit prescriptions any one of these names may be used.