The main purpose of using Chitrak Haritaki is to clear the nasal passage, sinuses, and respiratory tracts and ease the breathing process. Generally, Chitrak Haritaki is beneficial in recurrent common colds, flu, chronic sinusitis, and asthma. In addition to these conditions, it is also helpful for increasing appetite, improving metabolism, reducing phlegm production, and preventing gas formation in the intestines.

Medicinal Properties of Chitrak Haritaki

Chitrak Haritaki has the following healing properties.

• Mucolytic
• Antitussive
• Antibacterial
• Anti-inflammatory
• Aam Pachak (Detoxifier)
• Antimicrobial
• Carminative
• Antioxidant
• Immunomodulatory

Therapeutic Indications

• Generally, Chitrak Haritaki is useful in all types of respiratory troubles. Here is a list of its main indications.

Main Indications

• Recurrent Common Cold – when nose blockage or nasal discharge becomes thick, but still white
• Cough with white thick mucus (when a large amount of mucus production and sputum is sticky and cloudy)
• Chronic Bronchitis – Excessive mucus production, which is thick and white
• Chronic Sinusitis – drainage of thick white discharge, which has yet not become yellow or greenish

Secondary Indications

• Loss of appetite
• Flatulence
• Intestinal Gas
• Abdominal Distension

Benefits & Medicinal Uses

• Here are some important points to learn how to use Chitrak Haritaki in main diseases.

Recurrent Common Cold

• Chitrak Haritaki works when mucus discharge becomes thick, but the color of mucus content is still white. If the color of mucus discharge becomes yellow or greenish, then formulations of Vasa (Adhatoda Vasica), e.g. Vasavaleha and Vasa leave juice are more beneficial and safe.

Productive Cough

• Chitrak Haritaki is beneficial when a large amount of mucus is produced in the lungs, but when it is clear, white, and thick. However, if phlegm is yellow-greenish, then it indicates infection and bacterial growth in the chest, so in such cases, Sitopaladi churna, Gandhak Rasayan, Shringa Bhasma and Vasavaleha or Vasa leaves juice are more helpful.

Chronic Bronchitis

• The same principle applies to chronic bronchitis that we have discussed in productive cough. In bronchitis, it is also helpful to reduce inflammation in addition to giving relief from a productive cough. Again, it should not be used if there is any sign of infection like yellow-greenish phlegm. It will only help when a patient needs to stop the mucus production and the mucus content is white and thick.

Chronic Sinusitis

• Chitrak Haritaki is useful when drainage of thick and white discharge. It reduces discharge from the nose as well as down the back of the throat. Furthermore, it is also helpful for improving breathing and reducing nasal obstruction. It also improves sense of the smell and taste.

Dosage & Administration of Chitrak Haritaki

• Infants-NOT RECOMMENDED
• Children-2 grams (1/3 tsp.)
• Adults-2.5 to 5 grams (1/2 to 1 tsp.)
• Pregnancy-CONTRAINDICATED
• Geriatric(Old age)-2 grams (1/3 tsp.) *
• Maximum Possible Dosag – per day or in 24 hours-10 grams (2 tsp.) – in divided doses

Side Effects of Chitrak haritaki 

• It is better to avoid this medicine during pregnancy and lactation.
• It may worsen gastritis in people with sensitive stomachs.