Terminalia Chebula (Haritaki) in Traditional Chinese Medicine is called 诃子 (he zi). It has been used for centuries in China to treat chronic diseases, such as diarrhea, dysentery, cough, aphonia, asthma, etc.
According to traditional Chinese medicine guidelines, haritaki (he zi) has two main properties: astringe lungs and astringe intestines.
Haritaki astringes lungs by driving excessive Qi (life force) in lungs downward. That is why it has effects to clear the airway, and relieve cough, aphonia and asthma.
Haritaki astringes intestines. It has effects to treat chronic diarrhea, dysentery and rectal prolapse.
The following are some formulas from traditional Chinese medicine:
1. Chronic cough and aphonia: haritaki, almond, tetrapanax papyriferus and ginger.
2. Chronic dysentery: haritaki, berberine, saussurea and licorice.
3. Chronic rectal prolapse and dysentery: pericarpium papaveris, haritaki, orange peel, and dried ginger.
Warnings: according to traditional Chinese medicine, due to the effects of astringing lungs and downwarding, haritaki is not recommended for patients who has the conditions of lung weakness, nor for non-chronic coughs.
