Baheda (Bibhitaki, Terminalia Belerica)

Benefits, Medicinal Usage and Properties

INTRODUCTION

Baheda (Bibhitaki, Terminalia Belerica) is found all over India, especially in the lower hilly areas. The plant sheds its leaves in Feb.-mar and bears new, copper colored tender leaves. It bears fruits in may which ripen in the following January- February.

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION

The fruits contain tannin, B-sitosterol, galic acid, chebulasic acid, mannitol, glucose, galactose, fructose and ramnose. A yellow colored, shining, oil comes from the seeds kernel. The bark contains tannin.

PROPERTIES

It cures tridosas and is mainly used for curing cough related disorders. It is beneficial for the eyes, hair and cures jaundice, voice disorders, nasal problem, blood disorders, throat and breathing problem. It is anthelmintic.The seeds of the fruits help to cure eye problem. The bark is useful in anemia, liver disorders like jaundice and white ieucorrhoea. The seed is bitter and a toxicant. It cures thrist vomiting, vatta and also helps cures bronchitis. The fruits peel cures cough. It mainly affects the throat ans air passages. The seeds are analgesic and cure swelling and oedema also. Its excessive quantities may lead to vomiting. Herbs like baheda, Indian goosebeery, and black harad are beneficial in curing cough and vaginal problems. They purify milk and are digestive in nature.

AYURVEDIC PROPERTIES

• GUNA (Quality) – Laghu, Ruksha
• RASA (Taste) – Kashay
• PRABHAV(Impact) – Chedan
• VIPAK (Metabolism) – Madhur
• VIRYA (Potency) – Ushan

MEDICINAL USAGE & BENEFITS

Hair:-

Oil of the fruit kernel is extremely nutritive. It strengthens hair.

Eye Power:-

Mix equal quantities of baheda and sugar. Take this mixture every day. It cures pain in eyes.

Pain in Eyes:-

Prepare a paste of the bark with honey and apply on the eyes. It cures pain in the eyes.

Headache:-

Prepare 40-40 gm decoction of baheda and jawasa. Add 1b teaspoonful ghee in the decoction; give this to the patient thrice a day. It cures pitta and kapha fever. It also controls dizziness.

Heart Problems:-

Take equal quantities of powder of its fruit and Ashwagan.Take 4 gm of this mixture and mix with jiggery. Give this to the patient with warm water. It cures heart problems due to vata.

Mouth Dripping: –

Mix 2-1 ½ gm each of bahada and sugar. Give for a few days. It cures mouth dripping disorder.

Cough:-

• Suck the peel of baheda.It controls cough.
• Cook Malabar nut, black salt and bahada in goat milk and then give it the patient. It cures dry and wet cough.

Breathlessness and Asthma:-

Take equal quantities of baheba bark and grind to from a fine powder. Give 3 gm of this powder to the patient. It cures cough and asthma.

Loss of Appetite:-

Take 3-6 gm powder of fruits after meals. It enhances digestion power and cures loss of appetite. It also strengthens the stomach.

Dysuria:-

Take 2-3 gm seeds of fruits and mix it with honey. Give this to the patient every morning and evening. It cures dysurea and stones.

Chyluria:-

Grind baheda, rohidi, kutaj, kaith, chattiban, Sal and Kabila flowers to form powder. Take 2-4 gm of this powder with 1 teaspoonful honey and give it to the patient 2-3 times a day.

Impotency:-

Take 2 gm baheda powder and add 6 gm jiggery patient every morning and evening. It enhances sexual desire and eliminates impotency.

Diarrhea:-

• Take 1-4 gm tree bark, 1-2 cloves and grind them in 1 teaspoonful honey. Give this to the patient 2-4 times a day. It controls loose motions.
• Take 1-2 roasted baheda it cures chronic diarrhea problem.

Tumor:-

Roast peel of Baheda in castor oil and grind it in strong vinegar. Apply this paste on the tumour. Within 1-3 days, the tumour gets cured.

Inflammation of Liver:-

• Apply paste of baheda kernel. It dissolves and spreads out the swelling.
• Apply the baheda paste on the eyes.

Fever:-

Drink 30-40 gm decoctions of beleric every morning and evening. It cures kapha, pitta and fever.

Liver problems:-

Apply oil of fruits kernel. It is beneficial in liver problems. It is also an effective pain reliever. Massaging by this oil also cures itching and burning sensation of skin.