Terminalia bellirica is a plant native to India and Southeast Asia, and is considered one of the three major fruits in Ayurveda. It is also one of the main ingredients of "Triphala," known as a rejuvenating medicine. It is rich in various active substances, including alkaloids, flavones, lignans, tannins, phenols, coumarins, terpenoids, glycosides, and saponins.
Traditionally, it has been used to treat various conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, hepatitis, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, indigestion, eye diseases, hoarseness, scorpion stings, and hair loss. Scientifically, it has been suggested to have diverse effects, including antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antithrombotic, hair growth promotion, antihypertensive, skin whitening, skin beautifying, wound healing promotion, anticancer, anti-obesity, antibacterial, antidiabetic, anti-aging, hepatoprotective, anti-inflammatory, and cholesterol-lowering properties.
Characteristics of Terminalia bellirica
- Scientific name: Terminalia bellirica
- Classification: Combretaceae family, Terminalia genus
- Other names: Bahera, Bibhitaki
- Appearance: Light green when unripe, brown fruit when ripe
- Cultivation area: Native to India and South Asia
- Taste: Unique flavor with strong sourness, bitterness, and astringency
Main active ingredients (reported examples)
- Tannins: Gallotannin, ellagitannin
- Phenolic acids: Gallic acid, ellagic acid
- Flavonoids: Quercetin derivatives, luteolin derivatives
- Lignans: Lignans
- Terpenoids: Triterpenes
- Saponins: Steroidal saponins
- Coumarins: Coumarin derivatives
- Alkaloids: Trace alkaloids
- Others: Polysaccharides, organic acids, minerals
Expected effects
- Antioxidant effect: Believed to alleviate the damage of active oxygen and help prevent aging.
- Skin beautifying effect: Reported to improve wrinkles, skin redness, sebum, and spots, and promote wound healing.
- Anti-aging effect: May prevent cellular senescence and suppress aging.
- Hair growth effect: Promotes the proliferation of hair-related cells and inhibits hair loss factors (5α-reductase), with reports indicating higher hair growth effects than minoxidil.
- Antidiabetic effect: Reported to inhibit post-meal sugar uptake and lower blood sugar levels.
- Antibacterial/Antiviral effect: Reported to prevent bacterial and viral infections and prevent severe disease.
- Anti-obesity effect: Reported to inhibit post-meal fat uptake.
- Anti-inflammatory effect: Reported to alleviate knee osteoarthritis.
