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Bahera: 
Common Name:
Belleric myrobalan (Eng.)
Sanskrit Name:
Bibhitaki - As it is said to make a person fearless from all types of diseases
Karshaphala - That is having fruits with weight of one Karsha i.e. near about 20 gms
Aksha - As its fruits were used in gambling in old times
Kalidrima - A tree which is the root cause of disputes as gambling always results in hot arguments
Lt. Name:
Terminalia bellirica - Combretaceae
Bio Energetics:
Rasa (Taste) - Kashaya (Astringent)
Guna (Characteristics) - Ruksha (Un unctuous); Laghu (Light)
Veerya (Potency) - Ushna (Warm)
Vipaka (Post digestion effect) - Madhura (Sweet)
Chemical Composition:
Bibhitaki contains several triterpenoids including belleric acid, b-sitosterol, and the saponin glycosides bellericoside and bellericanin. Other constituents include polyphenols (gallic acid, ellagic acid, phyllembin, ethyl galate, and chebulagic acid), lignans (termilignan, thannilignan, hydroxy-3',4'-[methylenedioxy] flavan, anolignan B), and a fixed yellow oil (Valsaraj et al 1997; Kapoor 1990, 321; Nandy et al 1989; Row and Murthy 1970).
Effect on Tridosha (Three bio humors):
It has the unique characteristic to pacify all the three bio humors but it is specially indicated in diseases resulting from aggravated Kapha.
Actions according to Ayurveda:
Bhedanam - Softenes the hardimpacted feces in the rectum
Netrahitam - Good for eyes
Keshyam - Rejuvenates hair
Vaiswaryanashanam - Useful in hoarseness of voice involving any etiology
Madakrit - Natural sedative so very useful in disturbances like insomnia etc.
Kasanashanam - Useful in management of cough
Kriminashanam - Helps in management of infectious conditions in general
Trit chhardi hari - Relieves excessive thirst, nausea and vomitting
Medicinal value:
- Respiratory disorders: In an open clinical trial of 93 patients suffering from various respiratory conditions Bibhitaki was found to have anti-asthmatic, anti-spasmodic, expectorant and anti-tussive activities (Trivedi et al 1979).
- Hepatoprotective: The compound 3,4,5-trihydroxy benzoic acid (gallic acid) isolated from Terminalia belerica was evaluated for its hepatoprotective activity against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced physiological and biochemical alterations in the liver. The main parameters studied were hexobarbitone-induced sleep, zoxazolamine induced paralysis, serum levels of transaminases and bilirubin. Hepatic markers assessed were lipid peroxidation, drug metabolising enzymes, glucose-6-phosphatase and triglycerides. The administration of the compound led to a significant reversal of majority of the altered parameters, indicating a hepatoprotective activity (Anand et al 1997).
- Cardiovascular: The effect of T. belerica, was evaluated in experimentally-induced hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis in rabbits. T. belerica was shown toreduce the levels of lipids in hypercholesterolemic animals, and promoted a significant decrease in liver and heart lipids (Shaila et al 1995).
- HIV: An extract of Terminalia belerica showed significant inhibitory activity on human immunodeficiency virus-1 reverse transcriptase (el-Mekkawy et al 1995). Four lignans (termilignan, thannilignan, hydroxy-3',4'-[methylenedioxy] flavan, anolignan B) possessed a demonstrable anti-HIV-1activity in vitro (Valsaraj et al 1997).
- Antimalarial: Four lignans (termilignan, thannilignan, hydroxy-3',4'-[methylenedioxy] flavan, and anolignan B) possessed an antimalarial activity in vitro (Valsaraj et al 1997).
- Antimutagenic:Two polyphenolic fractions isolated from T. belerica were significantly effective against mutagenic effects in Salmonella typhimurium. Interaction of the polyphenols with S9 proteins may be the probable cause of the inhibitory effect (Padam et al 1996).
- Antifungal:Four lignans (termilignan, thannilignan, hydroxy-3',4'-(methylenedioxy) flavan, and anolignan B) possessed demonstrable antifungal activity in vitro (Valsaraj et al 1997).
Useful Part:
Fruit
Doses:
Powder 3-6 gm
Some useful combinations with Bahera:
Bibhitaka tail; Triphala choorna; Phalatrikadi kwatha; Lawangadi vati
Some important notes about Bahera:
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Bibhitaki is an proven anti-atherogenic agent that reduces cholesterol and Good for eyes, hair and voice.
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Charaka includes this plant among those which are useful in fever and good laxatives.
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It helps in diseases of Rasa, Rakta, Mamsa and Medas Dhatus.Terminalia bellirica works specially on throat & upper GIT; & have curative effect on hoarseness of voice, excessive thirst, nausea& vomiting. (Charaka Samhita)
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Along with Haritaki and Amalaki its combination is known as Triphala, which is a good combination for eyes and digestive system. It works as an anti-aging combination as well.(Bhav Prakasha Nighantu)
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