BIBHITAK: A Fearless Healer of Digestive System

Bibhitak (meaning "fearless"), a revered plant in ancient scriptures and woven into local folklore, holds a special place in many rituals and ceremonies in India. Its wood, leaves, and fruits are used in religious offerings, and the tree is often planted near temples as a mark of auspiciousness. It is used extensively for its medicinal properties, valued for supporting digestive and respiratory health. Its fruit is widely used in Ayurvedic remedies for overall health and balance.  It constitutes a pivotal component of Triphala (a synergistic blend of three fruits: Haritaki, Bibhitak, and Amalaki), one of the most used Ayurvedic preparations. Botanically known as Terminalia bellirica, it belongs to the Indian almond family (Combretaceae). Native to the Indian subcontinent, Bibhitak is widely distributed in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Indo-China, Malaysia and other countries up to 1400 m. 

NAMES IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

English: Belliric myrobalan, Bastard myrobalan, Beach almond, Hindi: Bahera, Behera, Bahuvirya, Bhutvaas, Kalk, Karshphal, Bhaira Sanskrit: Akshah, Bahuvirya, Bibhitak, Bibhitaki, Vibhitak, Bibhita, Karshah Assamese: Bauri Bengali: Baheda Gujarati: Baheda Kannada: Taari, Taare, Taarekaayi Konkani: Goting Malayalam: Thaanni Marathi: Behada, Bibhitaka, Kalidruma, Vehala Oriya: Bahada Nepali: Barro Punjabi: Beheda Tamil: Tanri Telugu: Bhutavasamu, Karshaphalamu, Tadi, Tandrachettu, Vibhitakamu Urdu: Bahera (Source: Flowers of India)

 

MORPHOLOGY

Bibhitak is a large deciduous tree growing up to 35 m tall and has buttresses. The bark is grey and longitudinally ridged. The branchlets have conspicuous, spirally ascending leaf scars. The leaves are spirally arranged and crowded into pseudowhorls at the apices of branchlets. They are simple, petiolate, obovate, 18-26 × 6-12 cm in size, tomentose when young but glabrous at maturity. Leaf base is obtuse-rounded, apex obtuse or mucronate and leaf blade has 5-8 pairs of lateral veins. Inflorescence is axillary, simple spike up to 18 cm long, spikes mostly grouped into panicles at the apices of branchlets. Flowers are minute and pale in colour. The calyx tube is shallowly cupular, 4-5 mm in size and has five lobes. Stamens are 4-5 mm long, ten in number and exserted. Fruit is subglobose to broadly ellipsoid, 2-3 × 1.8-2.5 cm in size, shortly stipitate, weakly 5-ridged and covered with fine soft hairs. 

CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS

Chebulagic acid, Chebulinic acid, Gallotannins, Ellagic acid, Anthroquinone glycosides, Tri-terpenoids, Bellericoside, Bellericanin, Termilignan, Thannilignan, etc.

MEDICINAL USES

1. Good for Digestive Health

Bibhitak enhances digestion, stimulates digestive juices, and aids in nutrient absorption. Triphala is one of the most used Ayurvedic remedies for digestive health and overall well-being. It acts as a natural laxative, easing constipation, and helps reduce gas, bloating, and stomach cramps.

2. Useful in Diabetes

Bibhitaki, a component of Triphala, helps regulate blood sugar and insulin sensitivity, benefiting people with diabetes. 

Photograph source: Wikipedia: Salil Kumar Mukherjee

3. Useful in Cough, Cold and Asthma

Bibhitak is valued for its effectiveness in addressing respiratory conditions, especially cough, cold, asthma, and related ailments. Its multifaceted properties make it a significant botanical remedy in traditional systems of medicine.

4. Antimicrobial Potential

Bibhitak exhibits a potential antimicrobial activity. It is reported to be effective even against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus saprophyticus.

5. Care for Acne

Antimicrobial activity of Bibhitak is helpful in treating various skin disorders such as acne. 

6. Enhances Hair Growth

Bibhitak is reported to strengthen the hair roots and reduce hair fall when applied topically. Its astringent properties also help in controlling dandruff.

7. Detoxification

Bibhitak is reported to detoxify the liver, kidney and blood through various mechanisms.

8. Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Properties

Bibhitak exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity in scientific experiments.

Photograph source: SIRE Ayurved

TOXICITY

Bibhitak fruit is generally safe when used in moderate quantities (3-5 g). Some individuals may experience temporary digestive discomfort and diarrhoea after consuming Bibhitak Churan. Consuming it in high doses might cause uneasiness and bleeding. As it might lower blood sugar levels, consuming it along with diabetes medications may cause the blood sugar to drop too low. The raw kernels/seeds of Bibhitak are toxic and can cause adverse effects like nausea and vomiting.

CULTURAL IMPORTANCE

Bibhitak, recognised for both its medicinal properties and its role in sacred traditions, proudly stands at the intersection of healing and cultural practice. The fruit, known as Aksha, holds a deep cultural significance, particularly as an adornment of Goddess Durga.

BIBHITAKI IN TANTRA

Bibhitak has a special place in tantra as well. It is suggested to bring a root and one leaf of Bibhitak during the Pushya nakshatra after prior invitation to the plant and keep it in a red cloth after worshipping. This red cloth is placed at the place of worship and in the money chest for prosperity. It is also suggested that all parts of Bibhitak should be brought during an auspicious time after a prior invitation and put in a yellow cloth. This cloth should be kept at home for protection against disasters and for positive energy. 

CONCLUSION

Bibhitak is a culturally and medicinally significant tree native to the Indian subcontinent and several Southeast Asian countries. Revered in ancient texts and rituals, its fruit is a key component of Ayurvedic medicine, especially in the formulation Triphala. The plant is valued for its digestive and respiratory health benefits, among others.

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