Health Benefits
There’s a lack of clinical trials supporting the claims that haritaki can improve your health. So far, most of the evidence for haritaki’s health effects comes from preliminary, animal-based research and laboratory studies. However, preliminary research in humans suggests it may offer certain health benefits
Cavity Prevention
A 2010 study published in Oral Health & Preventive Dentistry suggests a haritaki-based mouthwash may help prevent cavities.
In the study, 30 people were given either distilled water or a mouthwash made with haritaki. Researchers analyzed saliva samples collected after rinsing and found the haritaki-based mouthwash was significantly more effective in reducing levels of bacteria linked to the development of cavities.
Haritaki may help with pain management, suggests a small study published in the Journal of Anaesthesiology Clinical Pharmacology in 2016.2 Researchers gave study participants a single oral dose of Terminalia chebula or a placebo and found that Terminalia chebula increased pain threshold and pain tolerance compared to the placebo.
Further studies found haritaki extracts show promise for treating knee pain, a 2019 study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food found.3 The 90-day randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study of 105 people with knee osteoarthritis found the extract:
- 1) Relieved pain
- 2) Increased physical function
- 3) Improved quality of life