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Harad (Haritaki) Terminalia Chebula

Haritaki is an herbal plant mentioned in Charak Samhita. Thee plant bears a fruit alled by same name. The mature fruit is normally used for medicine
Harad berry is one of the three ingredients used in formulating popular Triphala herbal mix.
Traditionally, this berry is helpful as a mild colon cleanser.

Varieties

There are seven varieties of Harad.
1. Vijaya: Oval shape, general purpose use
2. Rohini: Round spherical shape used for ulcers and topical use on wounds
3. Putana: Small very hard, used for topical application as a plaster
4. Amrita:  Thick rind, used for purification
5. Abhya:  Lines on the surface: Eye wash
6. Jivanti:  Gold color, General pupose
7. Chetaki White: Have lines on the surface, used for purgation
8. Chetaki Black: Have lines on the surface, used for purgation

Further, the berries are categorized based on maturity
1. Small berries, unripe fruit
2. Yellow berries, adult fruit
3. Large berry, fully mature fruit.
Large Vijaya is a preferred berry for Triphala
 

Ayurveda Properties

Rasa: Sweet Sour Pungent Bitter Astringent
Virya: heating effect
Vipaka: Sweet
Guna: Light Dry
Dosha: Balance Vata (control degeneration, constipation)
 

Uses

Harad is almost same as Amla, except for opposite Virya, Harda is heating while Amla is cooling.
It is high in Tannin (up to 30%), Chebulinic acid, and many B Vitamins.