The short answer
Not known in people. We found no human study of haritaki (harad) taken with metformin. The closest is a rat study in which a combined extract of ginger and haritaki lowered blood sugar in diabetic rats. Metformin was given to a separate group for comparison, not together with the herbs.
That hints at a possible extra fall in sugar if the two are combined, but it has not been tested. Haritaki is also one of the three fruits in Triphala. If you take metformin and want to start haritaki powder, tablets or an extract, tell your prescribing doctor and ask whether you should keep a log of your sugar readings.
Metformin is sold in India as Glycomet and Glycomet SR.
At a glance
| What was seen | How it may work | Direction | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ginger and haritaki extract lowered blood sugar in diabetic rats[1] | Not established; metformin was a comparison group, not combined | Possible extra fall in sugar with metformin; size unknown | Animal |
No listing is not a clearance. A missing interaction here never means a combination is safe.
The evidence, study by study
Rat study, 2020 Animal
Rats made diabetic with fructose and streptozotocin were given ginger extract, haritaki extract, a 1:4 combined ginger and haritaki extract, or metformin. The combined extract lowered blood sugar and insulin resistance. No group got haritaki and metformin together, and the abstract gives no numbers. Animal results show the question is worth asking. They cannot tell us what happens in people.[1]
What your doctor may watch for
- Blood sugar readings, especially after adding a concentrated haritaki product. No haritaki-specific schedule has been worked out.
What to tell your prescribing doctor
You can read this out, or show them this page:
“I am taking, or planning to take, haritaki (powder, tablets or extract, how much) along with metformin. A rat study suggests a ginger and haritaki extract may lower blood sugar. Should I check my sugar more often?”
Withheld until review
Questions people ask
Is haritaki in food or Triphala different from a haritaki extract?
Nobody has compared them with metformin. The rat study used concentrated extracts, so tell your doctor which form you take and how often.[1]
Would taking haritaki and metformin at different times help?
No study has tested this, so no gap between the two is known to help. Ask your doctor rather than relying on a spacing rule you read online.[1]
Related
Triphala and metformin
We found no study of triphala with metformin. A review lists a sugar-lowering effect among triphala's reported effects, so the two could add up.
InteractionHaritaki (harad) and other medicines you swallow
We found no study of haritaki and medicine absorption. One patient's antidepressant seemed to stop working on herbal mixtures with haritaki.
FormulationTriphala Churna
Three fruits in one powder, best known as a laxative. Human trials are few and small; most research is in the lab or in animals.
ConditionType 2 diabetes (sugar): what Ayurveda offers
Some herbs, such as methi and karela, lowered HbA1c a little in trials. Taken with diabetes medicines, they can add to the risk of low sugar.
Sources
Awaiting review by The Good Vaidya Medical Board. Prepared from the sources below and checked against each one.
Published 4 November 2026 · Last updated 4 November 2026
Taking haritaki with other medicines? A vaidya can check your full list.
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