Antioxidant Protection and Skin Damage Support

Terminalia chebula is an antioxidant that may reverse pollution-induced skin damage, according to a 2021 scientific study.

A 2021 study published in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology suggests that Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) has both preventative and restorative properties. The study in the peer-reviewed medical journal indicates that the extract may help diminish visible signs of existing damage and help protect skin against damage caused by chronic exposure to environmental pollution.

Antioxidant Protection and Skin Damage Protection

The study identified long-lasting natural antioxidants with the potential to protect against and repair skin damage induced by exposure to environmental pollution. The eight-week clinical study investigated Terminalia chebula extract for its long-lasting antioxidant protection properties and anti-inflammatory properties and for its potential ability to reverse the visible signs of pollution-induced skin damage.

As the study showed, Terminalia chebula extract provides longer lasting and more efficient neutralization of reactive oxygen species (ROS) than tocopherol. Treatment of keratinocytes with the extract provided protection against increases in intracellular ROS, inhibited release of inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and IL-8, and protected membrane lipids against peroxidation.

In addition to antioxidant protection data, the study yielded statistically significant improvements in dermatologist scores and subject self-assessments for skin texture, hydration, tone, firmness, and radiance.

Terminalia chebula Is the King of All Medicines

A story in the ancient Sanskrit texts says that Indra, the king of heaven, let a drop of nectar fall to earth. Where it landed, the Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) tree came to life. Ayurvedic healers have long called Terminalia chebula the “king of all medicines,” believing it can destroy all diseases (roga in Sanscrit), eliminate all waste from the body, and promote tissue growth and health.

Haritaki is a large, deciduous tree that grows up to 100 feet tall. The trees grow in sunny forests and thickets and are often cultivated on village commons throughout central and Southeast Asia. It’s rich in vitamin C and has substantial antioxidant protection properties and anti-inflammatory properties.

Also commonly known as Haritaki and Myrobalan, Terminalia chebula has long been used to support treatment of joint health, digestive health, constipation, hemorrhoids, and arthritis. Its properties include anti-arthritic, antibacterial, anticaries, anticholinesterase, anti-diabetic, anti-fungal, cardioprotective, cytoprotective, hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory, nephroprotective, and prokinetic.

Terminalia chebula supports a healthy lifestyle approach related to issues with cardiovascular disease, immunity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, psychological stress, and neurocognition. While it’s generally recognized that Terminalia chebula extract provides digestive health support and joint support, this new study shows that the extract may also provide antioxidant protection and exert preventative and restorative anti-aging skin benefits.

If you’d like more information about Terminalia chebula health benefits, we encourage you to read our Haritaki FAQ. (Also check out our Skin Health Smoothie recipe.)

We also sell Terminalia chebula (Haritaki) herbal extract in our online store. We sell Terminalia chebula extract in sizes of 200 grams (100 servings) to 1,000 grams (500 servings). We also sell it as part of our Health Made Simple line of smaller 100 gram extracts (50 servings).

Read the FAQ Buy Terminalia Buy Health Made Simple

Linden Botanicals sells the world’s healthiest teas and extracts, including Terminalia chebula, Cistus incanus, and Phyllanthus niruri. These teas and extracts provide support for immune health, stress relief, energy, memory, mood, kidney health, joint health, digestive health, antioxidant protection, inflammation, hormonal balance, and detox/cleanse. Visit www.LindenBotanicals.com to shop the online store, get hundreds of valuable health tips and resources, and download the free Lessons from the Darkness e-book, which chronicles Michael Van der Linden’s four-year battle with Lyme disease.