Vibhitaki, विभीतकी/ बहेड़ा Medicinal Benefits
Botanical Name—Terminalia bellerica
Common Name—Beheda
Family—Combretaceae (Haritaki Kul)
Habit—Tree, 60-100 ft. in height
Properties
Property—Dryness, lightness
Taste—Fragrant
Potency—Heating
Metabolic Property—Sweet
Specific Property
- Tridoshar (Specially Kaphhar)
- Laxative
- Bronchial sedative
Part Used—Fruit
Description—Beleric, also known as the bastard myrobalan, 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 leaves are about 15 cm long and crowded toward the ends of the branches. It is considered a good fodder for cattle.
In traditional Indian Ayurvedic medicine, Beleric is known as `Bibhitaki;’ in its fruit form it is used in the popular Indian herbal rasayana treatment triphala.
This species is used by some tribes in the Indian subcontinent for its mind-altering qualities; they smoke dried kernels. Too much of this can cause nausea and vomiting.
Dosage— Powder -3-6 gms.
Uses
- In Cough and Dyspnea—Vibhitaki powder 10 gms. with honey taken after meals alleviates cough and dyspnea.
- Burnt fruit of Vibhitaki chewing on mouth is much effective in Coryza, Cough, Asthma and Hoarseness of voice.
- In Oedema-paste of vibhitaki should be taken with rice-water.
- In Incision wound—Use of its powder for haemostatics action.