Terminalia Bellirica - Health Benefits, Uses and Important Facts

Terminalia bellirica  is a medicinal plant that has been used in traditional Indian medicine like Ayurveda for hundreds of years to treat a wide range of health problems. This is because of the plant's rejuvenating and health-promoting effects.

What is Terminalia bellirica? 

Terminalia bellirica , also known as Baheda, is a plant that is native to Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Laos, Malaysia, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, and India. It is often found in the same places as teak, like monsoon forests, mixed deciduous forests, or dry deciduous dipterocarp forests. It is called Bhibhitaki in Sanskrit and Behera in India.

Plant description of Terminalia bellirica:

Terminalia bellirica is a big tree that loses its leaves and grows all over India except in the dry western region up to 900 m. The fruits are an important part of Triphala, but they are also used in a wide range of traditional medicines, either on their own or in combination with other plant-based drugs. Several different groups of Nepalese people have eaten the fruit of T. bellirica.

Key composition of Terminalia bellirica:

The fruits are used in Ayurveda to treat things like hepatitis, bronchitis, asthma, piles, diarrhoea, coughs, and eye diseases. They are laxative, astringent, antihelmintic, and antipyretic. In its different extracts, the fruit has pharmacological properties such as antioxidant, anti-diabetic, analgesic, anti-diarrheal, and anti-inflammatory. The fruit has strong antioxidant properties, and its ethanolic extract has been shown to protect the liver.

Other names of Terminalia bellirica:

Baheda, Bibhitaki, Vibhita, Bhomra, Bhaira, Bayada, Beleric Myrobalan, Akaa, Aksaka, Bhomora, Bahedan, Shanti Kayi, Babelo, Balali, Bahera, Tare kai, Tannikka, Thanrikkai, Bahera, Thanikkay

Health benefits of Terminalia bellirica:

1. Enhances Digestion

The dried fruit of Terminalia bellirica is very good for digestion. It helps break down food in the stomach and intestines, stimulates the production of digestive juices, and makes it easier for the body to absorb essential nutrients through the intestines. Not only does it help get rid of gas in the stomach and relieve bloating, distension, and cramps, but it is also an important part of treating a number of gastrointestinal problems.

2. Relieves constipation

Ayurveda, which has been around for thousands of years, strongly suggests that people who have constipation use Terminalia bellirica, either as a whole fruit or as a powder made from dried fruit. It makes the liver make more bile, which helps the intestines and liver move in a way called peristalsis. This makes it easier for the large intestine to get rid of waste. The laxative effect of Terminalia bellirica is very important because it reduces the amount of mucus and fat in stools and keeps them from sticking to the walls of the intestinal tract. This makes getting around easier.

3. Boosts immunity

Terminalia bellirica is used in a number of folk remedies to boost the immune system, kill microbes, and protect the body from different infections because it has a lot of antioxidants and bioactive substances. It also shows that it has strong antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties that are very good at preventing infections and improving the health and wellness of the body as a whole.

4. Keeps heart healthy

The powerful cardiotonic effects of Terminalia bellirica are an important part of treating a wide range of heart problems. The dried fruit powder is a strong cough suppressant, aphrodisiac, and laxative. When taken in the right amounts, this powder strengthens the heart muscles, lowers the amount of cholesterol in the blood, and stops lipids from building up. This makes it less likely that you will get atherosclerosis, heart blockages, heart attacks, blood clots, etc.

5. Heals wounds and cuts

Terminalia bellirica 's anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer properties are very important for treating different kinds of ulcers, such as ulcerative colitis, peptic ulcers, canker sores or mouth ulcers, etc. The bioactive compounds in the fruit powder help to heal wounds and grow new tissue. Wounds can also be treated with the oil made from the seeds.

6. Terminalia bellirica has anti-inflammatory property

Terminalia bellirica has a lot of anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties that help ease pain and swelling caused by different types of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is called Amavata in Ayurvedic medicine. Most of the time, an imbalance of Vata doshas and a buildup of Ama in the joints are to blame. The powder made from Baheda fruits not only helps with Amavata, but it also stops parts of the body from burning.