Terminalia Chebula and Health.

Author.

Hranush H. Arakelyan .

M.D. ,Ph.D Artist.

“Beauty itself is but the sensible image of the Infinite.”

“Francis Bacon”

Introduction.

Terminalia chebula, commonly known as black- or chebulic myrobalan, is a species of Terminalia, native to South Asia from India and Nepal east to southwest China (Yunnan), and south to Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Terminalia is a tree. Three species of terminalia are used for medicine. These species are Terminalia arjuna, Terminalia bellerica, and Terminalia chebula.In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, Terminalia arjuna has been used to balance the three “humors”: kapha, pitta, and vata. It has also been used for asthma, bile duct disorders, scorpion stings, and poisonings. Terminalia chebula is a medium to large deciduous tree growing to 30 m (98 ft) tall, with a trunk up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) in diameter. The leaves are alternate to subopposite in arrangement, oval, 7–8 cm (2.8–3.1 in) long and 4.5–10 cm (1.8–3.9 in) broad with a 1–3 cm (0.39–1.18 in) petiole.[3] They have an acute tip, cordate at the base, margins entire, glabrous above with a yellowish pubescence below. The fruit is drupe-like, 2–4.5 cm (0.79–1.77 in) long and 1.2–2.5 cm (0.47–0.98 in) broad, blackish, with five longitudinal ridges. The dull white to yellow flowers are monoecious, and have a strong, unpleasant odour. They are borne in terminal spikes or short panicles. The fruits are smooth ellipsoid to ovoid drupes, yellow to orange-brown in colour, with a single angled stone.

Health Benefits of Terminalia Chebula.

The bark of Terminalia arjuna has been used in India for more than 3000 years, primarily as a heart remedy. An Indian physician named Vagbhata has been credited as the first to use this product for heart conditions in the seventh century A.D. Research on terminalia has been going on since the 1930s, but studies have provided mixed results. Its role, if any, in heart disease still remains uncertain.Nevertheless, people today use Terminalia arjuna for disorders of the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular disease), including heart disease and related chest pain, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. It is also used as “a water pill,” and for earaches, dysentery, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), diseases of the urinary tract, and to increase sexual desire.Terminalia bellerica and Terminalia chebula are both used for high cholesterol and digestive disorders, including both diarrhea and constipation, and indigestion. They have also been used for HIV infection. Terminalia bellerica is used to protect the liver and to treat respiratory conditions, including respiratory tract infections, cough, and sore throat. Terminalia chebula is used for dysentery. Terminalia bellerica and Terminalia chebula are used as a lotion for sore eyes.

1.      Cognitive health.

Terminalia chebula helps to promote cognitive functioning. It enhance brain functions, boost short term and long term memory and learning retention. It is due to oxygenation which is enhancing with the use of plant. The oxygenation clears neuro pathways to promote overall brain function. The brain is a muscle that requires exercise. Fit brain promotes the functions such as fight or flight response. Brain function and enhanced memory results in increase performance levels. Strong cognitive functioning includes, retention of information, better memory, increased focus, high innovation levels, more energy and mindfulness.

2.      Digestive health.

Constipation provokes pain, discomfort as well as embarrassment. Terminalia chebula is a treatment for constipation. Constipation causes less than three bowel movements in a week and severe constipation causes one bowel movement in a week. It also results severe discomfort while passing bowel movements. This plant promotes and aids healthy digestion. Add a teaspoon of Terminalia chebula powder and drink 1-2 times a day to cleanse colon and clear 15 pounds of toxic waste in the system.

3.      Eye cleanse.

The solution of Terminalia chebula is used to cleanse eyes. Combine it with water and used as an eye wash for reducing eye dryness, stye infections, eye infections and conjunctivitis/ pink eyes. The fruit is used to extract juice or tea and used as eye cleanse. Boil the dried Terminalia chebula fruit into tea with cooled water and used as a cleanser.

4.      Cleanse wounds.

Terminalia chebula is used to treat issues such as sores, skin fungus, lip sores and ulcers. The plant acts as anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal and antibacterial agent which is effective for cuts and wounds. This helps to speed up the healing of wounds.

5.      Treatment for cancer.

Terminalia chebula has anti-bacterial properties which are effective in treating cancer. It improves organs (kidneys and pancreas) health which has been damaged from cancer.

Anti-aging.

Terminalia chebula lengthens telomeres and found to be beneficial for slowing down damage to telomeres as cells divide. Anti-aging is possible with increment of telomerase in the body, an enzyme which repairs telomeres as they divides. The study shows that Terminalia chebula effectively increases lifespan of cells by 40%. It slows down oxidative stress and shortening of telomere.

·        It is used to cure inflamed gums and also provides relief from asthma.

·        Internal use of fruits is useful for constipation, nervous and digestive complaints, dysentery, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, intestinal worms, abnormal uterine, rectal prolapse, inflammation, bleeding, involuntary ejaculation and vaginal discharge.

·        Use it externally to treat wounds, ulcers, gum disease and mouth inflammation.

·        It increases the stool frequency and evacuate bowel.

·        It also treats parasitic infection.

·        It is used as a blood purifier, gargle for sore throat and ulcerated gums.

·        Apply the fruit paste in conjunctivitis.

·        Use it externally for hair wash, brushing teeth for bleeding gums and pyorrhea.

·        Use the decoction to wash non-healing ulcers and wounds.

·        Fry Terminalia powder in ghee and consume it regularly with sufficient ghee in food to promote longevity and energy.

·        For hepatitis, use the Terminalia decoction in hepatitis.

·        Use the Terminalia to improve memory.

·        It is also used as antidote for snake bites.

If you have any questions concerning “  Terminalia Chebula and Health” Please inform me.

Hranush H. Arakelyan

M.D. ,Ph.D Artist.

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