Produce of India: It is found in the Sub Himalayan region from Ravi eastwards to West Bengal and Assam. This tree is wild in forests of Northern India, central provinces and Bengal, common in Madras, Mysore and in the southern part of the Bombay presidency.

History:For internal use, chebula is best known as one of three fruits that comprise triphala, a go-to Ayurvedic herb combination that’s used to treat everything from digestive issues to diseases and has been employed by practitioners for millenia. Gaia herbs note that “Haritaki is used in Ayurvedic medicine to promote healthy vision, brain function, and even longevity,” as well as “a bowel regulatory tonic and gentle laxative.”

Active Ingredient: The main constituents are anthraquinone glycoside, chebulinic acid, tannic acid (20%–40%), and vitamin C in fruits. Arachidic, behenic, linoleic, palmitic, and stearic acids are also found in the fruits.