Post-I-Halela Zard (Terminalia Chebula Retz.): An Overview of the Key Medicinal Plant and Therapeutic Uses in the Unani System of Medicine

The Unani System of Medicine (USM) has long employed terminalia chebula, a significant medicinal plant in pharmaceutics, to treat a wide range of illnesses and infections. The distinctive phytoconstituents (chebulenic acid, corilagin and casuarinin) found in this herb are thought to be a valuable and affordable source. These phytoconstituents are commonly used in the production of medications with higher safety margins and fewer harmful effects against various ailments. The mature dried fruits of terminalia chebula belong to the combretaceae family. It is also referred to as Halīlaj Asfar in Arabic, Halela Zard in Persian, Haritāki in Hindi and Chebulic Myrobalan in English. According to their level of maturation, each of these varieties can take on different forms, making this categorisation well-known in the USM. Halela has been used in Unani medicine for a very long period, either alone or in different compound formulations like Itrīfal or Triphala. The entire plant, with its great medicinal potential, has been used by Unani physicians to treat a wide range of conditions in humans. It is used as a blood purifier, astringent, cholagogue, carminative, brain tonic, eye tonic, cardiotonic, stomach tonic, gastrointestinal motility, kidney tonic and digestive anthelmintic. Terminalia chebula possesses a multitude of pharmacological and therapeutic qualities, including hepatoprotective, wound-healing, anti-oxidant and anti-diabetic effects. In an effort to clarify further research in this field, this study aims to shed light on T. chebula by describing its widely recognised medicinal benefits.