TRIPHALA

Triphala is one of the most popular herbal remedies which 'cleanse' by promoting bowel movement. A reason is that one of the most common problems among many individuals is constipation and bowel irregularity. This can lead to poorer general digestion and liver function, less vitality and perhaps even less optimism and an overall poorer outlook and quality of life.

Triphala Churna Benefits / Benefits of Triphala:

• improves digestion
• is antioxidant rich
• improves circulation (cardiotonic and capillary strengthening flavonoids)
• potentiates adrenergic function (helps the body recover from stress)
• contains linoleic acid (an essential fatty acid) and phospholipids
• lowers blood pressure
• exerts a marked heart-protective and cardio-tonic effect
• reduces serum cholesterol
• improves liver function and is liver protective
• is anti-inflammatory (constituents include Vit. C and quercetin)
• is expectorant
• has anti-viral (HIV, AIDS, herpes, CMV) properties
• has anti-bacterial properties
• has anti-cancer properties
• has anti-allergy properties

Nutrients which it makes more of a tonic. Because of its high nutritional content, Ayurvedic doctors generally do not regard Triphala as a mere laxative. Some of the scientific research and practical experience of people using it down through the ages has demonstrated that triphala is an effective blood purifier that stimulates bile secretion as it detoxifies the liver, helps digestion and assimilation, and significantly reduces serum cholesterol and lipid levels throughout body. As a result, it is regarded as a kind of universal panacea and is the most commonly prescribed herbal formula.

Ingredients: - Whole powdered fruits and/or herbal (fruit) extracts of Beleric myrobalan ie.Vibhitaki or Behada,
Chebulic myrobalan (Terminalia chebula)Harada or Haritaki and Emblic myrobalan (Indian Gooseberry)Amala or Amalaki.

Amalaki, Emblica Officinalis, is one of Ayurveda's greatest rejuvenators and a strong natural anti-oxidant, also helps to boost the immune system. Balances Pitta.

Haritaki, Terminalia Chebula, the Tibetan "king of medicine",is a classic heart-brain-longevity tonic,it is often depicted in the extended palm of the Buddha. Balances Vata.

Bibhitaki, Terminalia Belerica, a powerful rejuvenative that reduces liver and heart disease, also improves the voice, vision and promotes the growth of hair. Balances Kapha.

Traditional Ayurvedic Qualities of Triphala

Taste: Sweet, sour, pungent, astringent, bitter

Virya:Ushna(Warm)

Vipaka: Sweet, Sour, Pungent

Guna: Light and dry

Dosha: Tridoshic, meaning it balances all constitutions

Prabhava: Rasayan, which means it builds Ojas, innate strength

Uses of Triphala :

• Before considering pathological indications for which triphala would be appropriate, we should never ignore the value of taking it on some regular basis whether once daily or once or twice a week simply for health maintenance.
• scientifically studied and confirm some of its known traditional benefits. These include the lowering of cholesterol, reducing high blood pressure, benefiting circulation, improving digestion and regulating elimination without causing any laxative dependency.
• triphala have proven to be antioxidant, anti-HIV and anti-allergic
• Regardless of any other herbs used, triphala can be prescribed singly or adjunctively whenever there are symptoms of inflammation, heat, infection, obesity and other conditions of excess.
• Because of its combined tonic and eliminative properties, it is generally quite safe to give even for deficiency diseases including anemia, fatigue, candida, poor digestion and assimilation.
• Unlike other eliminative and cleansing herbs, triphala is safely taken for symptoms of wasting heat that frequently accompanies diseases such as tuberculosis, pneumonia and AIDS.
• Triphala is also widely taken for all eye diseases including the treatment of conjunctivitis, progressive myopia, the early stages of glaucoma and cataracts.

Triphala side effects:
The one time not to use triphala is during pregnancy. It's 'downward flowing' energy is believed to favor miscarriage.

Triphala dosage: How to take Triphala - There are two ways to take triphala, as a powder or tablet. Traditionally triphala is taken as a triphala churna/ triphala churnam/ triphala powder.

One would stir in two or three grams of the triphala choorna/ triphala choornam/ triphala powder with warm water and consume the entire amount each evening or divided into three doses throughout the day, between meals if possible.

or one should take two to six triphala tablets one to three times daily. Children may only require one or two tablets in the evening. The larger dose is more laxative while the smaller dose tends to be more gradually blood purifying. A smaller dose might be one or two tablets three times daily. One should increase or decrease the dose according to one's bowel movements.

Triphala is also available as Triphala extract (Triphala Ghana: Concentrated Aqueous Herbal Extract in concentration 5:1; One tab. of 250 mg= 1.250 GMs ofTriphala powder). Advantage of Triphala extract are - Higher concentration , Lower Dosage , Better Bio availability etc.

Other classical preparations of triphala

Triphala is part of some of the most prestigious classical ayurvedic preparations. Some of these are:-

Triphala Guggul : Triphala Guggul is particularly useful for weight loss and weight management.Triphala Guggulu is also used effectively to reduce cholesterol. Buy Triphala Guggul
Triphalaadi Ghrita
Chandraprabha vati - Buy Chandraprabha vati online.
Arogyavardhani vati - Buy Arogyavardhani online.
Saptamrit lauh
Triphaladi quath (decoction)

References:

Juss, S.S. Triphala - The Wonder Drug. Indian Med. Gazette. 1997, 131(6), 194-96.

Vani, T. et.al. Antioxidant properties of the Ayurvedic formulation Triphala and its constituents. International J. Pharmacognosy. 1997, 35(5), 313-17.