BAHEDA CHILKA - BAHERA WITHOUT SEEDS - TERMINALIA BELERICA

Baheda, or Bibhitaki, is a classical ayurvedic ingredient that is extremely beneficial in relieving respiratory anomalies while balancing all three doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) and nourishing the dhatus within the body. It is famous as one of the three rejuvenating dry fruits that comprise the miraculous Triphala formulation.

The name Bibhitaki or Vibheetaki is made up of two words: 'Vibheeta' means 'absence of dread,' and 'ki' means 'fruit.'
So, the name of this herbal element indicates ‘the fruit which takes away fear of diseases’ since it is recognised as the ultimate therapy for most health problems.
It is an essential component of the mystical Triphala churna, which is made up of dried fruits of Amalaki (Emblica Officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia Chebula), and Bibhitaki (Terminalia Bellirica) in perfect proportions, giving extraordinary medicinal capabilities.

Baheda is a deciduous tree with a roundish-oval crown that can reach a height of 12-50 metres and a diameter of 3 metres.
It has a buttressed trunk at the base and branches up to 20 metres long.
The bark is normally 10-20 mm thick, bluish or ashey-grey in colour, and covered in fine longitudinal fractures and yellowish inner markings.
This tree's leaves are huge, globous, and elliptic, and they are alternately arranged on the twigs and grouped near the ends of the branches.
Flowers are simple and solitary, white or yellow in colour, and have a rich honey-like odour.

The upper half of the blooms on the baheda tree are male, while the lower section blossoms are either bisexual or female.
Fruits are often drupes, grey in colour and ovoid in shape, with minute pale pubescence surrounding one rocky hard seed within.
The fruits resemble those of haritaki but lack longitudinal ridges.