Terminalia bellirica (Combretaeceae)
Sanskrit Names: Bibhitaki
English Name: Belleric Myrobalan
Hindu Name: Bahed
Botanical Name: Terminalia bellirica
Synonyms: Bibhitaka (as diseases fear it), Bibhitaki, Vibhitaka, Aksa, Kaliphala, Bhutavasa, Kalidruma, Karnaphala
Family: Combretaeceae
Description
Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb., is a large deciduous tree common on plains and lower hills in Southeast Asia, where it is also grown as an avenue tree. The basionym is Myrobalanus bellirica Gaertn. (Fruct. Sem. Pl. 2: 90, t. 97. 1791). William Roxburgh transferred M. bellirica to Terminalia as "T. bellerica (Gaertn.) Roxb.". This spelling error is now widely used, causing confusion. The correct name is Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb.
Large deciduous tree, 10-20m high with thick dark green bark. Easily recognised by its characteristic bark and massive crown. Bark is bluish grey covered with numerous fine longitudinal cracks, wood is yellowish grey, hard and course. Leaves – 10-20cm long by 7-12 cm wide, elliptic, ovate. Leaves when matured are glabrous and usually punctuate the upper side. Flowers – pale greenish yellow with offensive odour, in axillary slender spikes longer than petioles but shorter than the leaves. Fruits – dupe 12-25mm in diameter, ovoid grey, suddenly narrowing into very short stalk, velvety, thick walled and hard. Obscurely five angled when dried.
Principle Constituents
Classical Categories (Gana)
Caraka Ganas: Jvarahara, Virchanopaga
Susruta Ganas: Triphala, Mustadi
Energetics
Rasa (taste): Kashaya (astringent)
Guna (quality): Ruksha (dry) Laghu (light)
Virya (energy): Ushna (hot)
Vipaka (post digestive effect): Madhura (sweet)
Prabhava (Special quality): Tridosha hara and mostly Kapha hara.
Dosha Effect: KV-
Dhatus (tissues): Rakta, Mamsa, Asti, Majja
Srotas (channels): Pranavaha, Annavaha, Rasavaha, Raktavaha, Purishavaha
Chemical Constituents
Fruit contains 17% tannin. Seed kernel contains 25% fixed oils. The seeds contain gallo-tannic acid, colouring matter and resin. Seeds yield greenish-yellow oil.
External
Krishnikarana - stimulates pigmentation
Raktashtambhana - stop bleeding
Shotahara - anti-inflammatory
Vedanasthapana - removes pain
Internal
Anulomana - downward movement of apana
Chakshushya - good for vision
Deepana - kindles digestion
Jwarahara - anti-puretic
Krimighna - destoyes parasites
Madaka - intoxication
Raktashtambhana - stop bleeding
Swasahara - anti asthma, expectorant
Vedanasthapana - analgesic
Important Actions
Is effective for all types of stones and kapha accumulation in the digestive, urinary and respiratory tract; liquefies and expels them, including removal of parasites. Recent research shows that Bibhitaki reduces levels of lipids throughout the body and specifically lowers the lipid levels in the liver and heart. Bibhitaki is used externally and internally individually or in the Triphala compound to treat eye disorders and as a rejuvenative. Very effective in treating disorders of the respiratory and GI tract, predominantly kapha related disorders associated with the systems. Studies indicates Bibhitaki has retro viral actions in inhibiting the viral growth in leukaemia patients. Another study indicates the inhibiting effect Bihbitaki has on the HIV virus.
As a powder mixed with honey, can be taken for sore throat and impaired voice; may also be used as a gargle. Used externally as an antiseptic. For people prone to viral infections, or a history of leukaemia in the family, Bibhitaki a recommended daily supplement, alone or in the Triphala formula.
Indications
Cough, bronchitis, asthma, sore throat, laryngitis, hair loss, urinary stones, gallbladder stones, eye disease, diarrhoea, dysentery, haemorrhoids, viral infection, eczema, psoriases, leukoderma, high cholesterol, obesity.
External use
Anti inflammatory, analgesic, haemostatic and gives black colour to the skin and hair. Oil is a hair tonic.
Internal use
Circulatory system: Used as a blood coagulant due to its astringent properties.
Digestive system: Being ushna, it is deepan, laxative, anthelmintic. Half ripe fruit is purgative and ripe fruit is astringent. It is anti-emetic and reduces excessive thirst.
Nervous System: The pulp is intoxicant, analgesic, (the regular synonym of bibhitaka means tandra - a state of mind between sleep and unconsiousness. This may be due to the action pof bibhitaki on majja dhatu)
Respiratory system: Helps in asthma and cough by reducing the inflammation of the bronchi
Reproductive system: The pulp is an aphrodisiac.
Temperature: . Febrifudge
Eyes: Dried bibhitaka is good for the eyes.
Precautions
High Vāta. Dry symptoms in the lungs, skin, bowels.
Safety
No drug-herb interactions are known.
Parts Used
Parts used: Seeds, leaves and roots.
Dosage: Powered 1-3 gm
Important Combinations
Triphala churna, Bibhitaki taila, Phalatrikadi Kvatha, Talisadi churna, Lavangadi vati, Aksadi churna, Triphala guggulu.
Research
