Have you ever wondered why Triphala is so much famous? Why most of us use Triphala ? Why it is found in almost all Indian households?
It is great if you know about this wonder drug; if not then let’s find out together.
You all are familiar with the name Triphala. It is a well known herbal medicine used in almost all our houses to manage the issue of constipation. But, it has much more benefits for our body than only relieving constipation.
Triphala is widely used by Vaidyas to counter various conditions related to digestive system, hair health, low immunity, eye related issues etc. It has a very vast array of positive effect on our whole body. It improves almost all the functions of the body and revives our natural immunity and energy. It is responsible for fighting with allergens, preventing allergic reactions as some of us are more prone to allergies. Its mild purgative action flushes out retained waste present in your gut, that makes it an ideal ayurvedic formula for chronic constipation. It is also helpful in eye related disorders and promotes hair growth. It improves our gut health approaching holistic digestive and bodily health. Triphala is a complete package full of magical effects.
What is Triphala ?
The word triphala is made up of two Sanskrit words tri and phala; tri stands for three and phala means fruits. So, it is a mixture of three fruits named as Amalaki, Hareetaki and Vibheetaki. These fruits are mixed together in equal quantity to make the magical formulation ‘Triphala’.
- Amalaki – it pacifies vitiated vata and pitta dosha. It improves eyesight, natural immunity booster, manages grey hairs and excessive hairfall, promotes intelligence, relieves constipation. It improves digestion, rejuvenates body and mind and is good for heart.
- Hareetaki – It is a natural Laxative agent, eases flatulence, reduces bloating, improves digestive strength. It boosts immunity, improves mental strength, beneficial for eyes, reduces inflammation. It also have anti aging property.
- Vibheetaki – it relieves respiratory disorders as it balances all the three doshas vata, pitta and kapha; specially kapha dosha. As kapha helps to maintain body health and throat health. It keeps the system warm and light. It is astringent & sweet in nature. Vibheetaki has anti-asthmatic, anti-spasmodic, anti-tussive and expectorant properties in it.
Triphala – Traditional overview
In Ayurvedic text, Charaka samhita Triphala is mentioned as Rasayana. Rasayana are single drugs or herbal formulations that possess the quality of regeneration and rejuvenation. Rasayana when used daily as per the indications mentioned in samhita shows wonderful effect on your whole body. By having Triphala as Rasayana you can defeat all the diseases and live a 100 years long life.
Acharya Sushruta has also mentioned Triphala as a Rasayana. Along with this he also mentioned Chakshushya property of Triphala which signifies its effect as a strength provider to our eyes. It is used in today’s world as an eye wash which improves vision and also fights diseases like conjunctivitis. He mentioned another use of Triphala as a wound cleansing and healing agent. Triphala powder or decoction is used to treat infected wounds and ulcers.
Acharyas has also stated the use of Triphala as a anti diabetic agent. According to them Triphala is also used to lower the blood sugar levels.
Traditionally Triphala is used in below mentioned conditions -:
- Prameha (Diabetes mellitus)
- Kushtha (Skin diseases)
- Vibandha (Constipation)
- Chakshushya (Improves vision)
- Deepana (Increases digestive fire)
- Vishama jwara (Fever)
Introduction and Properties of Triphala
Scientific name -:
Amalaki – Emblica officinalis
Vibheetaki – Terminalia bellirica
Hareetaki – Terminalia chebula
Rasa – Kashaya (Astringent)
Guna – Ruksha (Dry), Sara (
Virya – Anushna (Neither cold nor hot)
Vipaka – Madhura (Sweet)
Doshaghnata – Tridoshashamaka i.e. pacifies all three doshas vata, pitta and kapha.
Types of Triphala
Nighantu, ancients texts having description of drugs has mentioned three types of Triphala other than the common Triphala.
- Swalpa Triphala
Draksha, kharjura, parushaka; these three fruits together is called Swalpa Triphala.
- Madhura Triphala
Draksha, kharjura, kashmarya, these three fruits together is called Swadu Triphala. It improves vision, enhances appetite, increases indulgence in food, and beneficial for recurring fever.
- Sugandhi Triphala
Jatiphala, puga , lavanga, these three constitute is called Sugandhi Triphala. It is astringent, sweet in vipaka and useful in breaking constipation due to kapha and vata doshas.
Health Benefits of Triphala
- Relieves Constipation – Triphala acts as a mild laxative agent. This property makes it a widely used drug among the people of all age groups. Triphala is a natural detoxifying agent that clears your gut, out of the toxins present in it. Additional benefit with Triphala is that it is a non habit forming medicine unlike Isabgola. By enhancing the movement of bowel it reduces gut stress and provides you a cleaner gut.
- Improves Immunity – Triphala is well known for its role in enhancing weak immunity power. Triphala is rich in antioxidants that allows it to counter oxidative stress present in your body which is caused by free radicals roaming here and there. Free radicals are harmful substances that are in search of single free electron. These free radicals possess the tendency to steal electron from healthy skin cells causing multiple disorders like cancer, arthritis, autoimmunity etc.
- Reduces Hairfall – Triphala is a very good herb that is used to reduce hairfall. It is rich in Vit C and antioxidants that prevents falling of hairs by reducing inflammation present in your scalp. It not only prevents hairfall but also improves the quality and quantity of your hairs. Triphala works wonders for your hair by providing strength to your hair roots and unclogging pores. If used for washing hairs or as hair mask, it reduces dandruff too.
- Enhances Vision – Triphala is mentioned as a Chakshushya drug in ancient texts. This implies effect of Triphala in improving vision in diseased condition such as myopia. If used as indicated it is beneficial in eye strain due to long screen hours. Decoction of triphala is used to wash eyes as in case of conjunctivitis, but it should only be done under supervision.
- Improves Digestion – Triphala is said to possess deepana guna as mentioned in samhitas. This quality of triphala is responsible for its action as digestive fire enhancer. It promotes better digestion in individuals using it as indicated. Detoxifying property of this hetbal mefications aids the process of digestion by clearing out the gut. Clean gut supports better and smooth digestion resulting in enhanced metabolism. Faster metabolism also helps in weight reduction as desired and required for many of you.
Triphala is traditionally used to support digestion and healthy bowel function. For people dealing with ongoing digestive concerns, a personalised Ayurvedic approach may include therapies such as Panchakarma. You can explore Panchakarma therapy for digestive disorders to understand the treatment approach in more details. Also you can consult with Ayurvedic physician for personal guidance. - Provides Smooth and Glowy Skin – Antioxidant rich Triphala is beneficial to promote healthy and glowing skin. Antioxidant reduces the no of free radicals present in skin cells. Vit C rich Triphala fades out your blemishes and dark spots providing even skin tone. It also helps in fighting acne and lightens acne marks. You can use Triphala in the form of face pack for these additional benefits.
- Reduces Blood Sugar Level – Acharyas has stated the use of Triphala as a blood sugar lowering agent. Triphala is also widely used in cases of diabetes mellitus. This herbal formulation has the astringent and dry qualities which dries out the excess kapha dosha and kleda as present in prameha. Modern researches also proves its efficacy in management of diabetes.
- Manages Arthritis – Arthritisis an inflammatory condition. Triphala is anti-inflammatory in nature. This quality of Triphala is helpful in managing Arthritic conditions. Triphala’s property of tridosha shamana signifies its effect as an anti-inflammatory drug. It flushes toxin out of your body that also helps in reduction of arthritis.
- Reduces Cholesterol and Obesity – Ruksha guna of Triphala is responsible for scraping out the excess meda present in your body. Fat and cholesterol present in your body can be correlated with meda dhatu. Fat is snigdha i.e. unctous in nature and triphala is ruksha i.e. dry. This dryness of Triphala allows it to reduce the amount of fat and cholesterol present in your body if used as per the instructions of ayurvedic physician. Triphala also regresses the production of new fat cells to prevent further obesity and cholesterol buildup in your arteries. This will also prevent coronary artery disease and other cardiovascular diseases as these ailments are majorly caused due to unhealthy fat and cholesterol.
- Treats Wounds and Ulcers – Triphala is said to have anti-inflammatory and anti microbial action. This property of Triphala is beneficial in healing of wounds and ulcers. When Triphala decoction or swarasa is used to wash open wounds they heal faster. When you use Triphala decoction is used as mouth wash regularly, it reduces mouth ulcers.
How to use Triphala
- Triphala is available in the form of churna and tablet.
- Churna – dosage for churna is 3 – 6 gm per day for an adult along with suitable adjuvant.
- Tablet – 1 – 2 tablet twice or thrice a day for an adult.
Dosage must be adjusted accordingly in children.
- Decoction – Add 2 teaspoon of triphala churna to 1 glass of water. Cook it on low flame till quantity reduced to half. Strain it using a fine sieve then use after cooling it down.
