Bibhitaki ~ Terminalia belerica

Bibhitaki/Beleric Myrobalan

Latin name:

Family: Combretaceae

Part used: fruit (ripe and unripe)

Habitat: found throughout the Indian forests and plains

Main constituents: green fixed oil, saponin, tannins, a resitious residue

Energetics: Astringent

Main herbal actions: lithotriptic, rejuvenative, expectorant, anthelmintic, antiseptic, astringent, brain and stomach tonic

Minor herbal actions: laxative, bronchodilatory, improves the voice, vision and promote the growth of hair, reduces liver and heart disease, antiviral, lipid lowering

Main medicinal uses: cold, cough, catarrh, bronchitis, laryngitis, vomiting, nausea, chronic diarrhea, dysentery, eye disorders, headache, hemorrhoids, parasites, urinary tract stones, stomach and liver disorders, part of the triphala formula in Ayurveda

Minor medicinal uses: dried ripe fruit is used for edema; externally applied as an antiseptic lotion; unripe fruit is purgative

Preparations: infusion, decoction, powder, paste- up to 5 grams per day (Khalsa)

Contraindications: none known

Toxicity: unknown

Sources: http://www.modern-natural.com/Terminalia%20Belerica.htm; http://www.holistic-online.com/Herbal-Med/_Herbs/h133.htm; http://www.downunderhealth.com/newsletters/may2002.html; www.nutraceutic.com/Products/Ayurveda