Haritaki or myrobalan (Terminalia chebula) is an evergreen tree that reaches a height of about 20–30 meters and bears small greenish-yellow fruits. The fruits are the most widely used part of haritaki, which is one of the most important Ayurvedic plants due to its beneficial properties.

The fruits are usually dried and ground into powder, as this form facilitates their consumption. In Ayurveda, it is used to balance all three doshas:

• vata – related to movement and digestion
• pitta – related to fire and metabolism
• kapha – related to weight and movement

Haritaki is one of the three main ingredients of the traditional Ayurvedic mixture Triphala, which also includes amalaki (Emblica officinalis) and bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica). The mixture has a bitter and sour taste.