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Bibhitaki, Terminalia bellirica. Botanical plate: Album de la flora médico-farmacéutica é industrial, indígena y exótica (Pl. 12) BHL1123845
Plate: Album de la flora médico-farmacéutica é industrial, indígena y exótica (Pl. 12) BHL1123845. Argenta, Vicente Martin de.. Public domain.

Bibhitaki

Terminalia bellirica · विभीतक

Herbs & Roots. Ayurveda.

Also called Belleric myrobalan, Bahera, Beleric

Spanish: Belérico

Sanskrit: विभीतक (Bibhitaki)

Laxative; limited safety data

Bibhitaki is the fruit of an Indian tree that Ayurveda uses for coughs, the eyes and hair, mostly based on tradition and lab work.

Did you know? Bibhitaki belongs to the same plant family as the trees of many African savannas, and it is a close relative of haritaki.

What it may help, and how strong the proof is

  • Sore throat & cough. Traditional remedy for coughs and sore throat. Human trials are lacking.
    Traditional proof
  • Liver. Animal studies suggest protection against liver damage. Good human trials are lacking.
    Traditional proof
  • Hair & nails. Used in hair oils and blends for hair health, but no good human trial shows it grows hair.
    Not supported

Parts of the body

Mouth & throat, Lungs, Liver, Skin & hair

Traditional use

Ayurveda uses bibhitaki for coughs, sore throat and hair health. It is one of the three fruits in triphala, a classic digestive blend.

How it is classified

Herbal actions
Expectorant, Astringent, Antimicrobial. Energy: warming.
Ayurveda
Calms Vata and Kapha. Taste (rasa): astringent. Energy (virya): heating. After digestion (vipaka): sweet. Kasahara (relieves cough), Rasayana (rejuvenative).

How people take it

Traditional doses are about 1 to 3 grams of dried fruit powder a day, usually as part of triphala. Modern dosing studies are lacking.

Powder, capsule and decoction.

Where to get it

A large tree native to India, Myanmar and nearby parts of Asia. Sold as dried fruit, powder, capsules and in triphala blends, and labels should name Terminalia bellirica.

Be careful

Generally tolerated in small doses. Large amounts may cause loose stools or stomach upset. It is not well studied in pregnancy, breastfeeding or children, so avoid those uses.

Avoid if: pregnancy; breastfeeding; children under 12.

Mixing with other things

  • Works well together

    The third fruit in triphala, the classic Ayurvedic three-fruit blend.

  • Works well together

    Part of triphala, the classic three-fruit Ayurvedic blend.

Found in these formulas

Triphala (Ayurveda)

The honest take

Bibhitaki's uses are mostly traditional, with lab and animal studies for liver and immune effects. Human trials for coughs or hair are lacking. Its best-known use is as one part of triphala, and the evidence for triphala is stronger than the evidence for bibhitaki alone.