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Hirda / हिरडा / Black Myrobalan / Terminalia chebula

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

Tribal Recipe: 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.