बिभीतक

• Botanical Name: Terminalia bellirica
• Family: Combretaceae
• Synonyms: Bibhitaki, Vibhitaka, Aksha, Bastard Myrobalan
• Vernacular Name: Commonly known as “Baheda” in Hindi, “Beleric Myrobalan” in English, and “Thanikkai” in Tamil.
• Classification: A large deciduous tree belonging to the Combretaceae family.
• Habitat: Native to tropical Asia, including India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. It thrives in plain dry forests, stream valleys, and mixed deciduous forests, preferring fertile, loamy soils.
• Morphology: A tall tree, growing up to 25–50 meters in height, with a buttressed trunk and a rounded crown. The leaves are simple, alternate, and crowded at the ends of branches. The fruits are globular, greyish, and smooth, resembling nuts.
• Useful Parts: Fruits, seeds, bark, and leaves.
• Chemical Composition: Contains tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, and phenolic compounds. The seeds are rich in oil, which is used for various purposes.
• Pharmacological Action: Known for its astringent, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and laxative properties. It is used in treating respiratory disorders, digestive issues, and skin ailments. It is also a key ingredient in the Ayurvedic formulation Triphala.
• Formulation: Used in Ayurvedic preparations like Triphala Churna, Baheda Powder, and herbal decoctions for respiratory and digestive health.

Rasa: Kashaya

Guna: Laghu , Ruksha

Virya: Ushana

Vipaka: Madhura