Bibitaka: The Rejuvenator

 Bibitaka also known as Beleric myrobalan is one of the most potent herbs used in Ayurveda. It is one among the three ingredients in the formulation Thriphala -known as the most superior Rejuvanative medicine in Ayurveda. The herb have broad spectrum uses in medicinal field owing to it’s properties. Dr. Varun Ram Raj of Ayurvedatarian uses the herb Bibitaka in conditions like Cough and Asthma, Oedema etc because of the Herb’s tridosha samaka property. The herb alleviates all three doshas and hence used to treat diseases arised by the vitiation of Vata Pitta and Kapha doshas. The plant is also used as an Astringent and Expectorant.

General aspects and Geography

Botanical name : Terminalia belerica      

Family :  Combretaceae 

Habitat: Found through out India

Parts used

Fruits

Classical categorization based on Ayurveda Textbooks

Charaka Samhita – Jwarahara varga  (alleviates fever  )

Susruta Samhita – Mustadi gana

Pharmacological action

Astringent 

Tonic

Expectorant 

Medicinal property according to Ayurveda

 Kasahara (Reduces Cough)

Kesya (Beneficial for hair growth)

Chardighna (Antiemetic)

Jwaraghna (Reduces fever )

Therapeutic indications

Cough (Kasa)- Decoction prepared from Bibitaka is beneficial in reducing cough.

Oedema (Sotha)- Externall application of paste of Fruit pulp of Bibitaka alleviates Oedema.

Corneal opacity (Sukra)- Collyrium prepared from seed pulp of Bibitaka is used to treat Corneal opacity 

Dosage

Powder (Churna) – 2 g

Decoction (Kashaya )- 60 ml

Tablet - 2 tablets twice daily or as per the advice of the Ayurveda doctor 

Note: Ayurveda medications must be taken only after consulting an Ayurveda doctor. 

Formulations 

Thriphala kwatha

Thriphala churnam 

Thriphala guggulu 

Thriphaladi ghrtha 

Morphology :

A large tree deciduous tree with elliptic, rounded leaves. Inflorescence is axillary spike. Flowers are greenish yellow with an offensive odour. Fruits are drupe.

Vernacular names of Bibitaka

English – Beleric myrobalan

Hindi- Bahera

Malayalam – Thanni

Sanskrit -Vibhitaki 

Synonyms 

Aksha

Vibhitaki 

Karshaphala

Rasapanchaka of Bibitaka

Rasa- Kashaya (Astringent ) 

Guna-  Laghu (Light)

Vipaka- Madhura (Sweet ) 

Virya- Ushna (hot )

विभीतकंस्वादुपाकं कषायं कफतित्तनुत् ।

उष्णवीर्यं हिमस्पर्शभेदनं कासनाशनम् ।

(Bhavaprakasa Nighantu -Haritakyadi varga-shloka 36)

  Bibitaka alleviates all 3 doshas because of it’s properties like Hot potency, Astringent taste, and Madhura vipaka. Hence it is used to prepare medicines to alleviate tridoshaja vyadhis. Ayurvedatarian lead by Dr. Varun Ram Raj, uses the herb to Bibitaka to cure various diseases and also conducts research on the herb to fully exploit its medicinal values. Reach Ayurvedatarian for better health.

Researches on Bibitaka

https://www.easyayurveda.com/2013/01/13/bibhitaki-baheda-terminalia-bellirica-uses-ayurveda-details/amp/

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349489084_A_review_on_ethnobotany_phytochemistry_and_pharmacology_on_Terminalia_belerica_Bibhitaki

Frequently asked Questions

What are the uses of Bibitaka churna?

According to Ayurvedic textbooks, Bibitaka churna can be used to treat Respiratory difficulties (Swasa).

What is the Dosage of Vibhitaki churna?

          Vibhitaki churna can be taken internally at a dose of 2 g  for an adult.