Terminalia chebula Fruit Extract

About

What it is and where it shows up.

Terminalia chebula fruit extract is derived from the dried fruits of Terminalia chebula Retz. (family Combretaceae), a large deciduous tree native to South and Southeast Asia long revered in Ayurvedic, Tibetan, Siddha, and Unani medicine. It is used in food and nutraceutical applications primarily as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and digestive aid, and is a key component of the classic Ayurvedic polyherbal formula Triphala.

Safety summary

The regulatory and scientific consensus.

Preclinical toxicology studies, including mutagenicity, cytotoxicity, hemolytic, and animal studies, have found no significant toxic effects at typical doses, supporting a broad safety margin. However, formal ADI values have not been established by any major regulatory authority (FDA, EFSA, FSSAI), and gaps remain in understanding the complete pharmacokinetics and long-term safety profiles of its extracts. Pregnant and lactating women are generally advised to consult a physician before use given the lack of controlled clinical safety data in these populations.

Regulatory landscape

What food-safety regulators have decided.

Jurisdiction	Status	Note
FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) (India)	Approved	Terminalia chebula (haritaki/harad) is a long-standing ingredient in Ayurvedic traditional medicine and food (e.g., as part of Triphala). FSSAI recognises Ayurvedic herbs in food products under its regulatory framework; no specific stand-alone maximum use level or ADI has been formally published for the isolated extract in general foods as of the latest available status list.source
FDA (Food and Drug Administration) (United States)	Approved	Terminalia chebula fruit extract is not listed in the FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS) inventory as a direct food additive with a specific regulation, and no GRAS notice has been publicly confirmed for this extract as a conventional food ingredient. It is commercially used as a dietary supplement ingredient under DSHEA; manufacturers are responsible for ensuring safety before marketing. Not explicitly banned or restricted.source

Who should approach with care

Whose guidance would steer them away.

Pregnancy — No controlled clinical safety studies exist for T. chebula fruit extract during pregnancy; traditional Ayurvedic guidance advises caution, and its laxative/bowel-stimulating properties (Anulomana) may be contraindicated in pregnancy.

Lactation — Insufficient clinical safety data exists for lactating women; the transfer of tannins and other bioactive compounds to breast milk has not been adequately studied.

Infants — No safety data exists for infants; the high tannin content and potent pharmacological activity make use in this population inappropriate without medical supervision.

Liver Disease — While T. chebula extract has shown hepatoprotective properties in studies, individuals with pre-existing liver disease should consult a physician as the safety of concentrated extracts in compromised hepatic function has not been formally established.

Ibs — T. chebula has documented effects on intestinal transit time and bowel motility (Anulomana property); individuals with IBS may experience exacerbated symptoms such as diarrhea or cramping with supplemental doses.

Research citations

The sources behind this verdict.

1PubMed. Mutagenicity and oral toxicity studies of Terminalia chebula. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
2PubMed. Safety assessment of methanolic extract of Terminalia chebula fruit, Terminalia arjuna bark and its bioactive constituent 7-methyl gallic acid: In vitro and in vivo studies. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
3PubMed. Comprehensive Review on Fruit of Terminalia chebula: Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Toxicity, and Pharmacokinetics, 2024. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
4PubMed. A comprehensive review on the diverse pharmacological perspectives of Terminalia chebula Retz, 2022. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
5PubMed. The development of Terminalia chebula Retz. (Combretaceae) in clinical research, 2013. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Independently researched5 citations