He Zi
Terminalia chebula Retz.
☯ TCM Properties
Astringes the Intestines and Stops Diarrhea; Astringes the Lungs and Stops Cough; Descends Qi; Clears the Lungs and Benefits the Throat
Western Herbalism Properties
Botanical Description
Terminalia chebula (Combretaceae), known as Haritaki in Sanskrit and He Zi in Chinese, is a medium to large deciduous tree 15-30 m tall with a rounded crown, ash-grey to dark brown longitudinally fissured bark, and pubescent young twigs. Leaves are opposite or subopposite, broadly elliptic, 7-20 cm long, with rusty pubescence beneath and two glands on the petiole. Small dull white to yellowish flowers with an offensive odor are borne in terminal spikes, followed by ovoid, longitudinally ridged drupes 2.5-4.5 cm long that ripen from green to yellowish-brown. The hard, astringent fruits, harvested when partially ripe and sun-dried, are one of the three myrobalans of Triphala and a cornerstone of Ayurvedic and Tibetan medicine. (Sources: POWO; Wikipedia; PFAF)
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional Chinese Uses
He Zi (chebulic myrobalan fruit) is a neutral, astringent herb used in Chinese medicine to bind the intestines and stop chronic diarrhea, astringe the Lung to relieve persistent cough and hoarseness, and clear Lung Heat for specific types of throat conditions. It is specifically indicated for chronic, deficiency-type diarrhea that has not responded to treatment, and for long-standing cough with loss of voice. It is not appropriate for acute infections or the early stages of illness where the pathogen has not yet been resolved.
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.