Studies on Bastard Myrobalan

Terminalia bellerica Roxb., The Bastard Myrobalan, (Thanni in Malayalam and Vibhitaka in Sanskrit) is one of the most commonly used plants in Indian traditional system of medicine. Terminalia bellerica is one of the constituents of Triphala (Terminalia bellerica, Terminalia chebula and Emblica officinalis), the most common formula used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. The plant belongs to the family Combretaceae. It is a large deciduous tree, 10- 20m high. Bark is ashy grey with fine longitudinal crack. Leaves gathered about the extremities of the branches and have long petioles. It is highly prized medicine. The plant parts of Terminalia bellerica especially fruit rind is a highly valuable herbal resource which can be used commercially for the preparation of anti cancerous and antimicrobial drugs, after conducting a thorough evaluation of the chemical compounds present in it.