BELLIRIC MYROBALAN(विभीतकी)
Belleric myrobalan is commonly grown as an avenue tree in South East Asia. It holds great importance in Ayurveda and Siddha medicine as it is one among the ‘Triphala’. In the epic Mahabharata, it is mentioned that the nuts of the plant was used as dice by Shakuni. The term Vibhita in sanskrit means fearless. The kernels were eaten by the Lodha people of the Indian subcontinent to alter their mind. The plant has cosmetic value as it improves the texture of skin and hair. Moreover is decoction can be used as a mouth wash to maintain oral hygiene.
Botanical Name: Terminalia bellirica
Family: Combretacea
Sanskrit name: विभीतकी
English Name: Belliric myrobalan
Tamil name: தான்றி
Malayalam name: താന്നിക്ക
Part used: Mesocarp and exocarp of the berry
Therapeutic attributes or Rasa Panchaka:
- Initial taste(Rasa) Astringent predominant(Kashaya)
- Quality(Guna) Dry( Rooksha)Light(laghu)
- Heating or cooling effect(Veerya) Heating(Ushna)
- Post digestive effect(Vipaka) Sweet(Madhura)
- Special Action(Prabhava) Nil
Medicinal uses:
As per Ayurveda scriptures, the herb is a good laxative, expels out worms from the intestines and is effective against fever. It is proven to relieve pain and can be given in arthritis and other associated conditions like swelling, joint stiffness etc. Belliric myrobalan protects the liver and fights microbes1. Modern research studies have proven its efficacy against cancer mainly due to its anti-oxidant nature2, 3. Moreover the herb increases the digestion and cures diarrhea4. In elevated blood pressure, a proper dose of the herb has exhibited remarkable results5.
Belliric myrobalan is effective in healing ulcers and wounds6. It can be administered for gynecological disorders like leucorrhea, vaginitis, urinary tract infection etc. The herb when administered in proper doses aids weight loss,expels out phlegm and protects the lungs from infection and fights asthma. Moreover the herb increases body metabolism, and protects the liver. Appropriate usage of the herb controls bloating and reduces loss of appetite. The herb prevents thrombosis, or unnatural clots in the blood stream7.
Belliric myrobalan also helps in delaying ageing and removes immature graying of hair, due to its rasayana effect. It can also be given for diseases of the eyes8.
Chemical constituents:
Glucoside (bellericanin), Gallo-tannic acid,tannins, Ellargic acid, gallic acid etc
Home remedies:
- 1) Seed oil or paste of fruit is applied on swollen and painful parts.
- 2) Fruit powder is useful in wound dressing and to arrest bleeding.
- 3) The decoction of the dried fruit may be used as an eye wash
- 4) The fruit pulp can be dried and powdered. This powder can be mixed with honey and given in cough and chest congestion.
Ayurveda formulations containing Belliric myrobalan:
- Aksha tailam
- Triphaladi keram
- Triphala guggulu gulika
- Triphala ghritam etc.
Disclaimer
We have tried to provide the essence of the Vedas and Ayurveda Scriptures by interpreting meaning of the text in English through research & investigation. We have used the modern terminologies & technical words of the latest science to give the readers a better understanding and assimilation. If found any errors, kindly bear with us & help us rectify.Kindly request you not to get into self medication with minimal knowledge, always consult a physician before any medication.
Sources and references:
1) Badrul Alam. Antioxidant, Antimicrobial and Toxicity studies of the Different Fractions of Fruits of Terminalia belerica Roxb. Global Journal of Pharmacology
2) Pinmai K, Chunlaratthanabhorn S, Ngamkitidechakul C, Soonthornchareon N, Hahnvajanawong C. Synergistic growth inhibitory effects of Phyllanthus emblica and Terminalia bellerica extracts with conventional cytotoxic agents: Doxorubicin and cisplatin against human hepatocellular carcinoma and lung cancer cells. World J Gastroenterol. 2008;
3) Ramesh Kumar, Chauhan PK, Bhardwaj VS, Anu Kumar Munish kumar. In vitro investigations of antioxidant and phytochemical activities of aqueous extracts of Terminalia belerica & Terminalia chebula International Journal of Research in Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Sciences.
4) Bimlesh Kumar, Kalyani Divakar, Prashant Tiwari, Manoj Salhan, Diwakar Goli. Evalution of AntiDiarrhoeal Effect of Aqueous AndEthanolic Extracts of Fruits Pulp of Terminalia belerica In Rats. International Journal of Drug Development and Research. 2010
5) Arif-Ullah Khan, Anwarl Hassan Gilani. Pharmacodynamic Evaluation of Terminalia belerica for its Anti-Hypertensive Effect. Journal of Food and Drug Analysis. 2008; 16:6-14
6) Saha PK, Patrab PH, Pradhan R, Radharaman Dey, Shyamal Das, Mandal TKV. Effect of Terminalia belerica & Terminalia chebula on wound healing in induced dermal wounds in Rabbits. Pharmacology online 2011; 2:235-241.
7) Ansari AV, Siddiqui HH, Singh PS. Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic activity of Terminalia belerica fruit extracts. Res. J of Pharmaceutical Biological and Chemical Sci. 2012;
8) Triphala in Eye Diseases: A Critical Review
9) Charaka Samhita, Sushrutha Samhita and Ashtanga Hridaya
10)Dravya Guna Vijnaana By Pof Dr. SD Lucas
