Hirda / हिरडा / Black Myrobalan / Terminalia chebula

OOO Farms Wild Food Hirda

Other Names

  • Local Name: Hirda / हिरडा
  • Common Name: Black Myrobalan
  • Botanical Name: Terminalia chebula

Status & Habitat

  • Habitat: Tree
  • Occurrence: Teak and mixed deciduous forests.
  • Season of Availability: Summer and monsoon
  • Geography: South Asia
  • Method of Propagation: Seed propagation
  • Part used for Propagation: Seeds

Edible Parts

  • Edible Parts: Fruits
  • Can be Eaten Raw: Yes

Method of Consumption

  • Raw: Yes
  • Ripe: Yes
  • Both Raw & Ripe: Yes
  • Dangerous Form to Consume: N/A
  • As Food: Fruits may be eaten raw and dried; used in manufacture of black salt.
  • As Medicine: Fruit powder applied to bleeding gums; fruit paste taken to cure stomach ailments in children; fruit paste applied to burns; main ingredient in Triphala ayurvedic medicine.
  • Cooking Without Prior Boiling: N/A
  • Boiling Before Cooking: N/A
  • Pickling: Yes, Fruits
  • Brining: N/A
  • Fermenting: N/A
  • Drying for later Consumption: N/A
  • Overall Method: Seeds eaten as a snack or used to make oil; fruits eaten in salads, pickled or fried; fruit used in manufacture of black salt and in chaat masala.

Nutritional & Medicinal Benefits

  • Nutritional Benefit: Contains potassium, manganese and iron.
  • Medicinal Benefit: Helps cure bleeding gums, stomach ailments, and burns; main ingredient in Triphala.

Tribal Wisdom

  • Tribal Wisdom: Fruit powder applied to bleeding gums; fruit paste taken to cure stomach ailments in children; fruit paste applied to burns; main ingredient in Triphala ayurvedic medicine.

Recipes / Usage

  • Tribal Recipe / Usage: Face wash:
    Combine a tablespoon of Terminalia chebula powder, half a teaspoon of Multani mitti, half a teaspoon of besan (gram flour), and 2 tablespoons of rose water to create a paste. Spread the mixture on the skin and leave it for 20 minutes to minimize pores.

Image Gallery

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