Vibhitaki

Vibhitaki- The Fearless Drug

In Sanskrit Vibhitaki means 'that which makes one fearless of  disease'. (Bhiti means fear and vibhitaka -meaning devoid of fear.) It is one of the ingredients of widely used preparation 'Triphala churna'- useful in treating bronchitis, sore throat, diseases of heart, eyes and bladder.

It is commonly found in Indian forests. Bibhitaki is a rejuvenative, beneficial for hair, throat, eyes and a laxative herb. The fruit is one among the triphala of ayurveda. It is useful in asthma, biliousness, bronchitis, inflammations, sore throat, and treating the diseases of eyes, nose, heart and bladder.

Action:

Anthelmintic, antiseptic, astringent, expectorant, laxative, lithotriptic(dissolves Renal caliculi), rejuvenative, tonic.
Rasayana- rejuvenative to lungs, Chakushya- benefits the eyes, Keshyam- good for the hair, Kanthya- improves the quality of the throat, 

Swasakasaghna- benefits breathing problems, Virechanopagna- aids purgation

 Uses in Ayurveda:

• Rasa: Kashaya
• Vipaka: Madhura
• Veerya: Ushna
• Dosha haratwa: pitta kapha hara

Good for vision, hair.
Internally:  for cough, krimi (intestinal worms), hoarseness of voice.
Externally: can be used as antiseptic, lotion swellings, eye diseases.

 
Indications

LUNGS: Asthma, bronchitis, cough, laryngitis- with high kapha. Where there is copious, white or clear phlegm Vibhitaki can help to clear and dry this congestion. Also used in sore throat- mixed with honey and used as a gargle.

HEAD: It has a particular affinity for the upper body and head clearing congestion from the eyes, ears, nose and throat. Also indicated for helping to maintain hair growth. A paste prepared with Vibhitaki powder and curds applied to the scalp promotes hair growth
GIT: Diarrhoea, colitis, crohn's, intestinal inflammation, parasites- pitta/kapha problems. It has a dual action of being both astringent and laxative.

URINE: Bladder stones, cloudy urine- kaphamedha urinary aggravation. It has the ability to clear all kapha accumulations.

Combinations with Vibhitaki
· Haritaki and Amalaki to make Triphala- rejuvenative to whole of the digestive system
· Pippali, Black Pepper for accumulated phlegm
· Haritaki, Ginger, for asthma and cough.
· Gokshura, Coriander, Manjishta for urinary stones and infections
· Brahmi for insomnia

Miscellaneous
· It is a specific rasayana for kapha and kapha sites: throat, lungs, eyes and hair.
· It astringes the mucus membranes while stimulating movement. It clears kapha and ama from urinary, digestive and respiratory systems.
· It is heating but does not aggravate pitta. The astringency can aggravate vata.
· Alcoholic extract is also a cholagogue.
· Ripe fruit is astringent and unripe is more laxative- this is its prabhava or unique action; even though it is astringent it is also a laxative.
· Use with honey to clear kapha. Very good for sore throats.

Caution
This herb may raise the "vaata" as defined in ayurveda. Do not use without supervision of a qualified Ayurveda practitioner.