Terminalia belerica, commonly known as Bahera or Bibhitaki, is distributed throughout the Indian subcontinent, Sri Lanka, and Southeast Asia and has been used for centuries in the Ayurveda. It is a large deciduous tree growing to a height of 20-30 meters. It has a thick brownish gray bark,  alternately arranged elliptical leaves, pale greenish yellow flowers & ovoid grey drupe like fruits. The dried fruit is used for medicinal purposes.  It is an integral part of Ayurvedic formulation, Triphala, used as a laxative in chronic constipation, colon cleansing, digestion problems. Bahera is widely used as laxative,  astringent, anthelmintic and antipyretic. It is also useful in treatment of bronchitis, pharyngitis,  asthma, dyspepsia.  Decoction of the green fruit is used for cough for its expectorant property.
 
Ayurvedic significance:
	
Rasa (taste): Kashay (Astringent)
	
Veerya (nature):Ushna (Hot)
	
Vipaka (taste developed through digestion): Madhura (Sweet)
	
Guna (qualities):Laghu, Ruksha (Light,Dry)
	
Doshas (effect on humors): Pacifies all three doshas