Triphala means three fruits. As this medicine contains three fruits (tri+phal), Amla, harad, and Bibhitaki so it’s called Trifala. It is best medicine for strengthening and purifying digestive and immune system. Its oral intake helps to eliminate body toxins and purifies blood. Its regular intake for one month detoxifies the body, removes toxins and improves digestion. Triphala churna promotes digestion, absorption and assimilation of nutrients from the food and thus improves overall health.
Triphala powder is the most commonly used OTC drug of Ayurveda. It is a useful herbal remedy to treat constipation and perhaps used by most of the people for the treatment of the same. But it is a tonic that is good for the heart, eyes, hairs, the liver and other body organs.
As per Ayurveda, Triphala is sweet, sour, pungent, bitter and astringent in taste. It has cooling effect on the body. Post digestion it is sweet. This herbal combination balance all tridosha (vata, Pitta and kapha) of the body and rejuvenates all tissues. It cleanses all channels of the body. Triphala is Pachana (toxic digester), Dipana (appetiser), Rasayana (rejuvenative), Anulomana (laxative, edirects flow downwards) and cures eye diseases and diabetes.
Use of triphala is helpful in various diseases such as anemia, fatigue, cancer, allergies, constipation, diarrhea, infections, indigestion, all eye diseases including conjunctivitis, progressive myopia, glaucoma, cataracts and skin diseases.
Many times people are sceptical about its healing potential, and also about where they can orally take this in certain medical condition like heart disease, high cholesterol level in blood, diabetes, obesity, stress, arthritis, diarrhea, ulcers, menstrual problems, eye diseases, etc. To know whether to use Triphala in these condition or not, it is important to understand its medicinal properties. Here is given its properties and its effect on various ailments.
The three fruits of triphala
Amalaki/Amla (Emblica officinalis): Good for constipation, ulcers, gastritis, colitis, hepatitis and haemorrhoids. Antioxidant which lower cholesterol and heals damaged arteries. Cures diabetes, anemia, hair loss, premature hair greying and general weakness.
Balances: Pitta and Vata
Haritaka (Terminalia chebula): Tonic for the brain, nerve, and digestive system. Regulates colon and good for both constipation and diarrhea.
Balances: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha
Baheda/Bibhitaki (Terminalia Belerica): A powerful Rejuvenative. Good in curing the liver and heart disease. Improves voice, eyesight and hair growth.
Balances: Kapha
The combination of three fruits or Triphala Churna balances: Vata, Pitta and kapha, Tridosh nashak Rasayana.
You can find more about triphala ingredients in post medicinal uses of Triphala.
Understanding benefits of triphala in various diseases
Use of Triphala in diabetes
Diabetes is condition of elevated glucose level in blood. In this metabolic disorder lipid peroxidation also takes place. Lipid peroxidation refers to the oxidative degradation of lipids and causes cell damage. The process proceeds by a free radical chain reaction mechanism. Triphala powder helps to control blood sugar levels in people with diabetes mellitus (sugar diabetes). It also inhibits lipid peroxide formation and scavenges hydroxyl and superoxide radicals, thus protects cell damage. Triphala powder can be safely used in diabetes.
Use of Triphala in Heart diseases
Triphala powder is well-known antioxidant that scavenges free radicals. Due to this property, it protects against free radical damage. Triphala is cardio-tonic, control blood pressure and improve blood circulation. Triphala is useful remedy in atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis a disease of the arteries characterized by the deposition of fatty material on arteries inner walls. For development of this condition oxidation of LDL is a critical factor. Triphala has an inhibitory role on LDL oxidation.
Use of Triphala in High cholesterol level or hypercholesterolemia
Triphala reduce cholesterol levels. Increased cholesterol is one of the risk factors for coronary artery diseases. Use of Triphala significantly decreases total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, triglycerides and free fatty acid.
Triphala is anti-obesity
Triphala contains many phytochemicals and one of them is Gallic acid. Gallic acid decreases obesity. Read more about Triphala for Obesity.
Triphala is useful in respiratory illness
Triphala has the ability to reduce cough and congestion due to respiratory ailments. It strengthens lungs and gives relief in allergic rhinitis and sinusitis.
Useful in the prevention of cancer
Triphala has anti-neoplastic, radio-protective and chemo-protective properties. The radioprotective effect have been confirmed in many studies.
Use in Joint pain, arthritis and similar conditions
Triphala has anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory activity. The various bio-active compounds reduces inflammation in arthritis.
Immunomodulatory Triphala
Immunomodulatory means agent that modifies the immune response or the functioning of the immune system (as by the stimulation of antibody formation or the inhibition of white blood cell activity).
Triphala in gastric ulcers
Triphala can be used safely in ulcers.
Triphala is a proven medicine for constipation. It cleanses and tonifies gastrointestinal tract, detoxifies the whole body, improves digestion and assimilation. It works on various organs, protects them and gives longevity. It contains Mg, K, Ca, Fe, Se and Zn, and the presence of various phytochemicals such as gallic acid and polyphenols improves the bioavailability. It is an anti-oxidant that scavenges free radical and prevents cell damage. Read more about triphala uses to manage constipation and better bowel movement and if someone uses triphala regularly for more than 3 months it gives relief in piles.
This Ayurvedic formulation is safe to use in hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, ulcers, obesity, etc. It always protects the body against diseases. Daily use of triphala, in the recommended dosage and ways produces no serious side-effect but improves overall health over the time. Ayurveda says, in low dose it can be taken for years. It is tonic and an anti-aging medicine.
Great Mouthwash
Triphala has very good antibacterial, antiseptic properties which makes it useful as effective mouthwash. There are many studies performed on triphala as a mouthwash and found that it has same effects on mouth as Chlorhexidine mouthwash. Read complete information of Triphala mouthwash.
Benefits of oral intake of Triphala powder
- Rasayana which rejuvenates the body
- Powerful Tonic, Rich in vitamin C, linoleic oil, phospholipids and other important nutrients
- Rich in Magnesium, Potassium, Calcium, Iron, Selenium and Zinc hence Cures anemia
- Antioxidants, anti-viral and anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory properties
- Good for the heart, tones and protects heart, lowers blood pressure, Purifies blood
- Reduces fat and cholesterol
- Good for the brain and nervous system, Nourishes the nervous system
- Improves eyesight and cures night blindness
- Improves blood circulation
- Give strength to the liver and cures its diseases
- Cleanses digestive tract and improves digestive system
- Stimulates peristalsis and cures constipation
- Detoxifies the liver, stimulate bile flow
- Regular and complete the evacuation of the bowels
Recommended Dosage
Triphala can be taken in the form of powder. 2-3 grams of this medicine should be taken with lukewarm water daily. You can take 1 gms of it three times a day for maintaining good health. Dosage can be adjusted according to your body tolerance and size.
Note: In large doses, it acts as a laxative and evacuates bowel. In lesser doses, it purifies blood.