CLINICAL EVALUATION OF TERMINALIA BELERICA IN DIARRHOEA

Terminalia belerica (behada) fruit has been evaluated as a promising agent against E. histolytica and a variety of bacteria associated with dysentery and diarrhoea. These in vitro studies were extended further for evaluating clinical efficacy among patients of acute and chronic cases of diarrhoea and dysentery. The Studies were carried out on 25 patients by five medical practitioners practicing at different clinics in the urban areas of Pune. The data was collected as per the protocol given to the concerned clinicians. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were critically followed. Record of patients’ history, clinical evaluations and investigations like stool, urine examination were carried out where necessary. The maximum treatment period was 14 days and the dose was 150 mg. tablets of bioactive fraction three times a day. 11 out of 12 patients responded to therapy and required around twelve tablets for recovery. Seven patients having the presence of cyst of amoeba, E. coli etc. became negative at the end of treatment. Improvement started on second day. No side effects of any nature were observed.