Vibheetaki Remedies: Mouth Ulcers, Pre Menstrual Headache

By Dr MS Krishnamurthy MD (Ayu), PhD

Introduction

Vibheetaki is one among the ingredients of Triphala. The word meaning of Vibheetaki is that which helps to eliminate the fear of disease). Its botanical name is Terminalia belerica / bellirica. Common name is belliric myrobalan or bastard myrobalan. 

The herb is hot in potency, possesses astringent taste and undergoes sweet kind of biological transformation (vipaka). It balances Kapha and Vata Dosha. It can slightly increase Pitta. The seed pulp is liked by the kids due to peculiar taste similar to ground nut or cashew nut. Excess intake of this leads to vomiting, nausea, belching etc. So children should avoid the seed marrow (nut portion of the seeds).
Read related: Bibhitaki (Baheda) Terminalia bellirica: Uses, Research, Remedies

Fruit rind is usually used for medicinal purpose.
Bibhitaki Fruit contains essential vitamins, minerals and protein. It is a source of Vitamin C and minerals like selenium, manganese, potassium, iron and copper. It possesses triterpenoids including Belleric Acid, Britosterol, Saponin Glycosides, Bellericoside and Bellericanin.

Vibheetaki taila, Vibheetaki sura, Triphala choorna, Triphala ghrita, Phalatrikadi kashaya, Lavangadi vati etc are the important formulations of Vibheetaki.

Home remedies

Few simple remedies of Vibheetaki are as follows-

Mouth ulcers

1. Vibheetaki stem bark decoction gargling for mouth ulcers:
The stem bark is collected and its outer skin is scraped. This is crushed and decoction is made. This decoction is used for gargling in case of mouth ulcers.

General method of decoction preparation is –
1 tablespoon (10 grams) fo coarse powder of the herb is added with 2 cups of water. Boiled in open air till the total content is reduced to 1 cup. This is filtered and used.

Dhobi itch

2. Vibheetaki leaf decoction for dhobi itch:
Leaf decoction of Vibheetaki tree is very much beneficial in cases like Dhobi itch and washer man itching, both for local application and oral administration in a dose of 30 – 50 ml, once or twice a day, before food.

Pre menstrual headache

3. Fruit rind hot infusion with cumin seeds for pre-menstrual headache:
The hot infusion is made out of the coarse powder of the fruit rind. Later 2 grams of cumin seed powder is added and taken in the dose of 50-60 ml. This relieves pre-menstrual head ache.

Bleeding disorders

4. Fruit rind fine paste for arresting the bleeding:
In case of emergency, the fruit rind is made into fine paste and applied over the bleeding spots. This helps to arrest bleeding instantly.

Ulcers

5. Dusting powder of fruit rind for oozing ulcers:
Fine powder of the fruit is used to dust over the wounds associated with pus or oozing. This arrests the discharge and helps the process of healing.

Premature grey hairs

6. Seed oil for premature grey hairs:
The seed marrow or nutty portion of the seed is collected and made into fine paste (50 gram approximately). To this 200 ml sesame oil is added and kept in sunshine for 10-12 days. Daily this is stirred well. Later it is filtered and used. This oil is applied to the base of the scalp in case of premature graying of hairs .

The unexplored aspect of this plant is the gum which oozes out during raining season. So far it is not used for medicinal purpose. The dried resins are purified similar to guggulu resin (subjected for sudation using the milk) and used in the treatment of joint pain. In future days one can make effort to popularize its use and bring them into medicinal field.
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