Triphala is one of the most famous and widely used Ayurvedic products. Tri means three, and Phala means fruit. Triphala is a traditional combination of three fruits namely
Haritaki – Chebulic myrobalan,
Vibhitaki – Belleric myrobalan and
Amalaki – Emblica Officinalis
Haritaki
Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) is an astringent dominant. It has mild laxative action and balances Vata Dosha. This nourishing fruit can be eaten as a food and is beloved for its therapeutic properties. Haritaki, like the other two, supports proper elimination and has anti-inflammatory and immunity-boosting properties. Its ability to support detoxification is thought to come from its anti-oxidant effects, particularly on the glutathione system.
Bibhitaki
Bibhitaki (Terminalia Bellirica) is highly astringent and a bit drying. However, it is high in antioxidants and is useful as a diuretic. It is widely used in the treatment of diseases of the skin, intestine, blood, and respiratory system.
Amalaki
Famously known as Amla, it is a rich source of bioavailable Vitamin C. Amalaki is eaten fresh readily and is also made into chutney, pickles, etc. In Ayurvedic products, it is used both in fresh and dry forms.
Amla is administered orally and also externally. Amla hair oil is very famous for improving hair growth, luster, and shine. According to Ayurveda, Amalaki, being coolant, balances Pitta dosha. Traditional uses of Amalaki include its ability to help regulate blood sugar levels, promote hair growth, improve vascular strength, calm the excessive acidity in the digestive system, improve skin glow, quicken wound healing, boost the immune system, and decrease inflammation.
Benefits of Triphala
- Triphala is a powerful source of antioxidants.
- It helps to calm all three doshas, but mainly Kapha and Pitta. It means it is useful in diseases like obesity, cholesterol, constipation, etc.
- It is also used in the treatment for diabetes, due to its rich anti-oxidant properties.
- Water decoction/Kashaya prepared with Triphala powder is used to treat non-healing wounds.
- It is extremely beneficial in skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, and tinea infection.
- It is good for improving eyesight and to treat computer vision syndrome. An herbal ghee, prepared with it, called Triphala is used externally and internally in the treatment of various eye disorders.
- It helps to improve taste, useful in anorexia.
- It is used in the treatment of chronic fever.
- Triphala Churna is useful to relieve lethargy. As per Ayurveda, undigested toxic material accumulated in the digestive system is one of the causes of lethargy. Triphala detoxifies the colon, helps the digestive system to improve enzyme production, and is thus useful in relieving lethargy and fatigue.
- Triphala for weight loss – It is also used in the treatment of obesity.
- Triphala Churna is very useful in treating Irritable Bowel Syndrome associated with constipation.
Triphala Dosage
Triphala churna dosage is 1 – 3 grams with honey, ghee or warm water, before food.
Triphala tablet 1 – 2 tablets – once or twice a day, usually before food.
Triphala capsule 1 – 2 capsule – once or twice a day, usually before food.
If you are taking Triphala to improve taste or to treat oral ulcers, then it makes sense to take it in churna (powder) form. For any other purpose, it can be taken in tablet or capsule form.
Rasa panchaka of Triphala
| Dravya (substance) | Haritaki | Vibhitaki | Amalaki | triphala |
| Rasa (taste) | Pancharasa (Kashaya) Astringent | Katu (pungent) | Pancharasa (Kashaya) | Kashaya |
| Guna (property) | Laghu, Ruksha | Laghu, Ruksha | Laghu, Ruksha, Sheeta | Laghu, Ruksha, Sara |
| Veerya | Ushna | Ushna | Sheeta | Anushna |
| Vipaka | Madhura | Madhura | Madhura | Madhura |
| Prabhava | Rasayana | Chedana | Rasayana | Rasayana |
| Dosha Karma | Pacifies Tridosha, especially effective on Vata | Pacifies Tridosha, especially effective on Kapha | Pacifies Tridosha, especially effective on Pitta | Tridosha |
| Karma | Anulomana, chakshushya, deepana, hridya, medhya, sarva dosha prashamana | Chakshshuya, keshya, bhedaka, kriminashana, kasahara | Vrishya, chakshushya | Rasayana, chakshushya, deepana, vranaropana, ruchikara, medohara, anulomana |
Side effects of Triphala
- Burning sensation in the body
- Triphala capsule – Increased dryness
- Lack of sleep
- As it is a mild laxative, it can cause stomach upset, cramps, and diarrhea.
It is used as a daily tonic by many, due to its rich anti-oxidant activity. People with diabetes need to inform doctor if they are taking Triphala Choornam.
Triphala with milk
Triphala contains Amla fruit, which has a sour taste. Sour-tasting fruits along with milk are contraindicated as per Charaka Samhita, 27th Chapter.
It is also seen that Triphala when added to milk, curdles it. Hence, Triphala, if taken along with milk can cause digestion, weakness, and bloating. Hence it is best to avoid milk with Triphala.
If you take Triphala, it is best to wait for at least 30-60 minutes before taking milk.
How to use Triphala for weight loss?
Triphala is very useful in the treatment of obesity.
- Triphala is consumed in a dose of 1 teaspoon, 2 times a day, after food with a cup of water, for the purpose of weight loss.
- Triphala is administered in a dose of 1 teaspoon mixed with a teaspoon of honey. This paste is swallowed with water, before or after food, once or two times a day.
How to use Triphala for the Fistula problem?
- Curing fistula just with Triphala cannot be guaranteed. However, symptoms can be improved.
- Oral intake of 5 grams of Triphala - once or twice a day, after food for 1 month is useful in healing the fistula faster.
- A big teaspoon of Triphala is added to hot water or to a bucket of heated water. This water is used for sitz baths to relieve pus formation and to disinfect the anal region.
Research on the usage of Triphala Churna for weight loss
As per an experimental study conducted on the effect of Triphala and its constituents on ameliorating visceral adiposity from a high-fat diet in mice with diet-induced obesity, conducted by Gurjar S, Pal A, Kapur S, the following conclusion was drawn -
The research team’s results showed that mice fed a high-fat diet for 10 weeks, supplemented with herbal preparation(s) of Triphala or its constituents, resulted in significant reductions in body weight (P < .0001), energy intake, and percentage of body fat (P < .001), Herbal treatment significantly improved the lipid profiles of the mice by lowering serum total cholesterol (Total-C), TG, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and increasing levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)
Read More: More Than 35 Ways To Use Triphala (Triphala Uses) | Triphala For Weight Loss | Can Triphala Cause Bloating?
Triphala for hemorrhoids
Triphala is administered along with buttermilk for the treatment of hemorrhoids (Charaka Chikitsa Sthana 14th chapter).
About Triphala with 1:2:4 combination of ingredients:
Usually, Triphala is – all the three in equal parts.
Some sell it with 1:2:4 (Haritaki, Vibhitaki, Amalaki) based on some rare traditional references. The difference is – that the amount of Amalaki is more in the 1:2:4 combination and
a. it is ideal for those who have diarrhea and who do not wish to have the laxative effect and
b. it is ideal for those having high Pitta.
The excess of Amla, being coolant, nullifies the hotness of haritaki and vibhitaki. So, Triphala is such is slightly hot. But 1:2:4 Triphala is quite heat neutral.
READ MORE: Triphala Rasayana – Using Triphala for anti-aging benefits
You can try Organic Triphala – For Healthy Digestion
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