Bibhitaki (Baheda)

Bibhitaki (Hindi Baheda, Bahera; botanical name Terminalia belerica) is the second herb of the Bhavaprakasha Nighantu, coming right after haritaki in the Haritakyadi varga. Its short section of three verses gives its six names, its properties, the conditions it is used in, and the properties of its kernel, which the text says amalaki's kernel shares (pp. 263–264, verses 35–37). With haritaki and amalaki it makes up triphala, the "three fruits" (p. 266, verse 42).

Names

विभीतकस्त्रिलिङ्गः स्यादक्षः कर्षफलस्तु सः । कलिद्रुमो भूतवासस्तथा कलियुगालयः ॥ ३५ ॥

The text gives six Sanskrit names: Vibhitaka (the verse notes the word is used in all three grammatical genders), Aksha, Karshaphala, Kalidruma, Bhutavasa and Kaliyugalaya. The last three stand out: Kalidruma "the tree of Kali", Bhutavasa "the dwelling of spirits" and Kaliyugalaya "the home of the Kali age" (p. 263, verse 35).

Properties

विभीतकं स्वादुपाकं कषायं कफपित्तनुत् । उष्णवीर्यं हिमस्पर्शं भेदनं कासनाशनम् ॥ ३६ ॥

• Rasa (taste): astringent (kashaya)
• Guna (quality): dry (ruksha)
• Virya (potency): hot (ushna), though cold to the touch (himasparsha)
• Vipaka (post-digestive effect): sweet (madhura)
• Doshas: removes kapha and pitta
• Actions: breaks up and moves the stool (bhedana), good for the eyes (netrahita), good for the hair (keshya)

(pp. 263–264, verses 36–37)

Conditions it is used in

According to the text, bibhitaki is used in cough (kasa), worms (krimi) and hoarseness (vaisvarya) (pp. 263–264, verses 36–37).

The kernel

रूक्षं नेत्रहितं केश्यं कृमिवैस्वर्यनाशनम् । बिभीतमज्जा तृट्छर्दिकफवातहरो लघुः । कषायो मदकृच्चाथ धात्रीमज्जाऽपि तद्गुणः ॥ ३७ ॥

The kernel (majja) inside the stone removes thirst, vomiting, kapha and vata. It is light (laghu), astringent and intoxicating (madakrit). The text adds that the kernel of amalaki (dhatri) has the same properties (p. 264, verse 37).

The plant

The Hindi commentary of this edition adds notes on the plant (pp. 264–265):

• Botanical name: Terminalia belerica Roxb. (also spelled bellirica), family Combretaceae. English: beleric myrobalan; also called "Beddanut".
• Where it grows: in almost every part of India, most of all on low hills; in forests, hills and upland ground.
• The tree: very large, 60–100 feet tall, with a thick, straight, round trunk and bark up to half an inch thick, dark or bluish grey-brown. The leaves look like mahua leaves, 3–8 inches long and 2–3 inches wide, crowded at the tips of the twigs; they fall and the new ones are out by Chaitra. Tiny dull-green flowers come on spikes 3–6 inches long, about when the new leaves appear. The fruit is about an inch long, round to oval; it sets at the start of winter and ripens by Agahan–Paush. The tree gives a gum like that of babul, and oil is pressed from the kernels.
• Constituents: the fruit holds about 17% tannin and the kernel up to 25% pale yellow oil, along with resin and saponins.
• Uses noted: used mostly as part of triphala. The half-ripe fruit is described as laxative and the fully ripe or dried fruit as astringent. Used in cough, throat disorders, hoarseness, fever, abdominal disorders, an enlarged spleen, piles, diarrhoea and skin disease; called a tonic for the brain; applied as a paste over the eyes. The kernel is described as easing pain and swelling and as mildly intoxicating; its oil is used on the hair (nourishing, darkening, and for itching and burning). A roasted kernel or piece of rind is held in the mouth for cough.
• Dose given: powder, 3–9 masha.
• Regional names: Hindi Baheda, Bahera, Bhaira; Bengali Baheda, Bayda, Bohera; Marathi Behada, Bahela; Gujarati Beheda; Punjabi Baheda; Kannada Tarekayi; Telugu Tani, Tanikaya; Tamil Tanrikkai; Persian Balela; Arabic Balelaj.

Sources

• Bhavamishra, Bhavaprakasha Nighantu, Haritakyadi varga, verses 35–37: pp. 263–264 (scan and text on SarvaKosh)
• Vidyotini Hindi commentary, notes on the plant: pp. 264–265

This page describes what the granth says. It is not medical advice; consult a qualified vaidya before using any remedy.