Hirda / हिरडा / Black Myrobalan / Terminalia chebula

Other Names

Status & Habitat

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

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.

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.