Chebula

Chebula

　　The dried mature fruit (the young fruit is called Tibetan olive) of the tall deciduous tree Chebula and its variety Terminalia chebula var. tomentella (velvety chebula), both from the Combretaceae family (also known as Chebulic myrobalan). Also called Haritaki. The original plant grows 10–20 meters tall; it has spike-like inflorescences that grow in axillary or terminal positions; the drupe is nearly elliptical, containing one seed; the flowering and fruiting period is from May to September. It is a heliophilous plant, preferring sunny areas and is suitable for growth at altitudes between 600 and 2000 meters. It contains tannins, which can astringe the lungs and intestines, reduce internal heat, soothe the throat, and has antibacterial properties. It can treat dysentery, chronic cough, sore throat, and hoarseness. Originally native to India, Myanmar, and other countries, it is mainly distributed in Yunnan and Tibet in China, with small resources also found in Guangdong and Guangxi. Before the founding of the People’s Republic of China, domestic resources were undiscovered and undeveloped, relying mainly on imports. In 1955, personnel from the Yunnan Provincial Medicine Company investigated Baoshan, Lincang, and other areas, and for the first time discovered domestic sources of chebula, subsequently initiating development and utilization. Thereafter, annual procurement volumes increased year by year, rising from 50,000 kilograms to 400,000 kilograms in 1961, meeting national demand. Chebula is not only used for medicinal purposes but also serves as a health food for clearing the throat and soothing the voice. Its tannin content is an important raw material in the leather industry. The wood of the chebula tree is also a significant construction material. In recent years, with the continuous development of chebula-based health products, market demand has expanded.