Ayurvedic remedies have been part of decades old medicinal practices. Many ingredients that are a regular part of our diet now, used to be important medicines that we added to our diets to ensure long-term health. One such herb is Myrobalan or haritaki. Ayurveda has many herbs that have been used for decades for medicinal purposes. It's a very important herb in Indian traditional medicines. The fruit is small and oval shaped. Haritaki fruits are usually picked when they're green, then dried until they turn brown or black, and then ground into powder for medicine. How strong it depends on where it was picked, its color, and its shape. It's also known as harad or kayakalpa, which means something that makes your body young again and balances its energy. People often call it a "life-giving" herb. Haritaki's Health Benefits Ayurveda values haritaki a lot because it helps with many health issues. It helps balance all the body's parts, especially "ether" and "air," which are thought to cause most sicknesses. This herb is full of important things like vitamin C, vitamin K, magnesium, and good chemicals called antioxidants. Ayurvedic doctors use haritaki to treat many health problems, both short-term and long-term. It's also one of the three ingredients in a famous Ayurvedic mix called triphala. You can take haritaki in different ways for different needs. For example, you can mix it with butter to help with "air" imbalances, or with a little sugar for "fire" and "heat" imbalances. For "water" and "earth" imbalances, you can take it with a little salt. Always talk to a knowledgeable herbalist before adding any new herb to your health routine. Studies suggest that different types of haritaki fruit are used for specific health problems. Research shows haritaki is good for things like coughs, constipation, indigestion, cleaning your body, weight loss, skin problems, and boosting your body's systems, immunity, fertility, and sex drive. It also helps with regular bowel movements and keeping your body's parts healthy. The fruit has substances that can fight cancer, fungi, bacteria, and diabetes, and also act as antioxidants. These properties also help your heart, heal wounds, and aid digestion. Older research also suggests it helps with hemorrhoids, but more studies are needed. Haritaki's Beauty Benefits for Skin, Hair, and Nails Because haritaki helps make cells new again and has antioxidants, people believe it can make your skin, hair, and nails healthier. SkinResearch suggests haritaki can help with many skin problems. For everyday skin health, you can make a paste by mixing haritaki powder with water or rose water. If it feels too dry, just add a few drops of oil. A paste made with the powder, butter, and water has even been shown to help with cracked feet. HairOld Ayurvedic books mention using haritaki powder in hair dyes. These mixes have been used for many years without known bad effects. Research shows that haritaki not only makes hair darker but also makes it softer. NailsA study from 2019 suggested that haritaki's ability to fight germs might help with nail infections. But, more good research is needed to be sure. Safety and What to Watch ForEven though haritaki is generally safe, some people should not take it. Do not take haritaki if you are pregnant, have recently given blood, feel very tired, have diarrhea, are dehydrated, or are taking medicines for high blood sugar (like insulin). Even if you don't have these conditions, always talk to a knowledgeable herbalist before using haritaki.