Haritaki (Terminalia chebula Retz.), a highly valued Ayurvedic drug known as the “King of Medicines,” is widely used for its rasayana, digestive and tridosha pacifying properties1, with the fruit rind being the therapeutically active part commonly used as churna. The present study was undertaken to establish the pharmacognostical identity and quality of Haritaki and its powdered form through macroscopic and microscopic evaluation. Authenticated dried fruits were processed to prepare Haritaki churna from the fruit rind, and both the whole drug and powder were subjected to detailed examination. Macroscopically, the dried fruits were ovoid to ellipsoid drupes with five longitudinal ribs, dark brown to black in colour, a fibrous pericarp, granular fracture, and a strongly astringent, bitter-sour taste, while the churna was yellowishbrown, fine in texture, and possessed a characteristic odour and taste. Microscopic analysis of the fruit revealed a thick-walled cubical epidermis and a broad mesocarp containing compact parenchyma, abundant lignified stone cells, rosette crystals of calcium oxalate, and simple starch grains. Powder microscopy showed characteristic elements including tracheids, pitted vessels, epidermal cells, unicellular hairs, lignified stone cells, fibres, calcium oxalate crystals, and abundant simple and compound starch grains. These diagnostic features were consistent with the descriptions given in the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia and confirm the identity, purity, and standard quality of Terminalia chebula Retz., thereby supporting its reliability for therapeutic use.
A et al. (2026) studied this question.