Triphala, the Tridosha Pacifier in Ayurveda

What is Triphala and its benefits?

In Indian ancient text book Ayurveda, there are varieties of medicinal plants which are beneficial for maintaining health improving the quality of human life as a whole.
The superfood Triphala is well recognized and highly efficacious polyherbal ayurvedic medicine.

Triphala-Tri – Three & Phala – fruits is a combination of:

• Indian Gooseberry (Amla)
• Beleric myrobalan (Behada)
• Chebulic myrobalan (Hirada)

For more details to learn more about these three medicinal fruits, refer to this article.

Triphala is explained by Acharya Charaka Thousands of years back. Triphala is a Tridoshic Rasayana which is a treasure to cure multiple acute and chronic diseases.

Triphala is also known as ‘Phaltrik’ or ‘Vara’.

Triphala is famous for cleansing process but, on the other hand it also has wonderful other benefits too.

त्रिफला कफपितघ्नि मेहकुष्टहरा सरा | चक्षुश्या दीपनी रूच्या विषमज्वरनाशिनी || भाव प्रकाश

• Kaphapittagna – Triphala is very helpful to alleviate kapha and pitta dosha.
• Meh-hara – Useful in diabetes
• Kushta-hara – Useful in psoriasis and all other skin problems
• Sara – Used as a laxative.
• Chakshushya – Useful in eye disorders
• Dipani – Act as an appetizer
• Ruchya – Useful in anorexia
• Visham-jwarnashini – Useful in all types of fever.

Benefits of Triphala

Important note: please consult your Ayurveda physician for more details before practicing the above combinations. These applications are more useful if you know your body type.

Is it safe to take Triphala daily?

Yes, Triphala is a natural remedy of three fruits of amla, Behda & Hirada. Triphala acts as a Rasayana (to rejuvenate) and anti-aging herb. This is the best balanced formula & can be taken for long-term duration. Triphala doses & combination varies as per Dosha and Prakriti of the patient.

What is the proportion of Triphala?

पथ्याबिभीतधात्रिणा फले: स्यात त्रिफला समे: | फलत्रिकशच त्रिफला सा वरा च प्रकीर्तित ||

The ideal proportion of Triphala is 1:2:4.

One part of Haritaki: Two part of Bibhitaki: Four part of Amalaki.
Some scholars take Triphala in equal proportions.

Which is the best Triphala ratio?

Ideal ratio of Triphala is 1:2:3 which is Hirada : Behada : Amla as per acharya Vagbhata. For example, if you want 250 gram Triphala then the ratio should be –

• Hirada = 41.65 grams
• Behada = 83.30 grams
• Amla = 124.95 grams

Together with this ratio if we make a Triphala it will helpful for better digestion and overall health.

Does percentage of Amla, Hirada and Behada in Triphala change as per body constitution of the patient?

Yes the body constitution is the basic thing of Ayurveda. Without knowing a person’s body type recommending Triphala or any other herbs are not useful for that person.

Because as per Ayurveda “purusham purusham vikshyam “| each and every person is different. As per everyone’s constitution the herbs change and even the dosage of those herbs also changes. Same thing is applied for Triphala percentage too.

In market now Triphala is readily available, but if you can find a good Ayurveda physician, who will surely adjust the dose of each three fruits contained in the final powder as per your body type, then this will be more healthy and beneficial for you.

What is the best time to take Triphala?

Kala (time) has very significant role in Ayurveda.

To balance the Dosha’s consuming Ayurvedic medicines on specific time of the day is very important because these are natural herbs.

Ideal time to take Triphala for its better effect:

What does Triphala do to your body?

• It balances Tridosha meaning beneficial for all body types.
• It cleans and detoxifies
• It provides wide range of health benefits
• It handles macro level cleansing process.
• Forms natural killer cells in the body to fight against cancerous cell.
• Flush out the GI tract toxins.
• Beauty treatment for hair, skin and eyes.

How to consume Triphala?

Consuming Triphala with different substances will naturally enhance various effects on your body. Theses substances in Ayurveda are called “Anupana” (along with).

Below we are elaborating some short Anupana examples here.

When should I take Triphala in morning?

You can take Triphala in morning time. It acts as a Rasayana therapy as per Ayurveda.
Rasayana means anti-aging and for longevity of life. If you are taking Triphala in early morning time empty stomach, it helps to detoxify your body, helps to reduce vata imbalance & boosts natural immune system of the body. It also acts as anti-cancerous element. It helps to improve quality of life too.

Ayurveda medications like Triphala, Chyavanprash, Amrit Rasayan, Bramhi Rasayan, Pippali Rasayan, Agastya Rasayan and many more are anti-aging, immunomodulator, detoxifying and naturally support of human health.

Can I take Triphala in the following conditions?

• With Ashwagandha –

Yes. Triphala can be taken along with Ashwagandha but this is totally depending on your doshas. Ashwagandha and Triphala both act as a Rasayana and nutritive medicine. Ashwagandha and Triphala both are rejuvenating with different modes of action. Ashwagandha is nourishing and strengthening & Triphala is cleansing and pacifier of tridosha.

• Triphala helps to stimulate digestive fire, improves digestion & eliminates toxins from body on the other hand Ashwagandha helps to nourish the body tissue after cleansing from Triphala.

• During pregnancy–

Be careful while taking Triphala during pregnancy because Triphala acts as a laxative and because of its laxative property it can increase risk of miscarriage.
You should consult your physician before taking Triphala during pregnancy as it depends on your body type.

• While breastfeeding–

Triphala has many health benefits but you should be careful while taking Triphala while breastfeeding. Triphala is contraindicated during breastfeeding.

• With Bramhi–

Yes, Triphala can be taken along with bramhi. Both bramhi and Triphala act as a Rasayana medicine. Bramhi improves intelligence and concentration& has rejuvenating property. Triphala cleanses the stomach and intestine, removes toxins from the body and also helps to rejuvenate. A combination of Triphala and Bramhi can clear body and mind both.

• During menstruation –

Triphala cleanses the intestine and stomach. During menstruation some females can experience constipation while some can experience diarrhea. So whether to take Traiphala during menstruation totally depends on the body type and dosha of the patient. If you feel constipated and heaviness you can try Triphala with warm water or with ghee during menstruation.

What are the qualities of Triphala?

In research studies Triphala is found to be potentially effective for several clinical uses such as laxative, Appetizer, reduces hyperacidity, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, reduces pain, immune modulating, hypoglycemic, antibacterial, anti-neoplastic, chemoprotective, prevents dental caries, anti-viral and anti-oxidant.

What is the taste of Triphala?

The rasa (taste) of Triphala: Sweet, sour, pungent, bitter & astringent. The only taste not contained within the formula is salty.
Virya (potency): Neutral
Vipaka (post-digestive effect): Sweet.

Does Triphala increase immunity?

Triphala is an immunity booster as it contains Triphala (i.e., Hirada, Behda, Amla) which are highly rich in nutrition.

Amla – Highly rich in Vitamin C, which acts as an Anti-oxidant.
Behada – Rich in Gallic acid, antibacterial and phagocytotic.
Hirada – Anti-inflammatory, immune-modulator (which increases white blood cells) which fights against infections.

With the present research, Triphala significantly prevents elevation of IL-4 and IL-2 levels. Under the condition of inflammatory stress, it act as an immunosuppressive.

Is “Triphala Guggul” more effective than Triphala alone?

Triphala guggul is actually made with Triphala. The guggul is the gum resin of Commifera Mukul tree. It is a binding agent in Triphala guggul. Aong with binding capacity guggul acts as a anti-inflammatory, pain reliever, anti-coagulant.

Triphala and Triphala guggul can be used for different entities, and both have their excellent results on each disease.

How can I clean my stomach and intestine with Ayurveda?

So many herbs in Ayurveda have cleansing and detoxifying effect. Triphala is one of them.
For cleansing process, one should take 1 teaspoon Triphala powder with 1 cup of warm water before bed time.

Same like Triphala there are so many herbs in Ayurveda as per dosha and prakriti of each person.

How effective is Triphala as face pack?

Triphala is anti-inflammatory and strong anti-oxident in action. Triphala paste clears pigmentation, acne causing bacteria and dry skin. Triphala face pack removes dead skin, Improves skin complexion and Improves skin pigmentation.

Triphala face pack formulation:

• Triphala 1 tsp + 1 tsp chickpeas + rose water
• Triphala 1 tsp + 1 tsp turmeric + 1 tsp fullers earth + rose water or water or coconut water (for dry skin)
• Triphala 1 tsp + 1 tsp turmeric + 1 licorice + 1 tsp aloe vera + 1 tsp almond oil (for dry skin and pigmentation)
• Triphala 2tsp + 1 tsp chickpeas + 1 tsp turmeric + warm water to make paste (for baby used as a soap / extra hair growth / stretch marks).
• Triphala 1tsp + 1 tsp turmeric + 1 tsp honey for acne.

Is it appropriate to consume Triphala if someone is suffering from ulcers?

Yes, Triphala helps to improve digestive fire and helps for constipation. At the same time Triphala helps to peristalsis movements.

Triphala along with some other medicinal herbs works nicely to improve gut flora and heals ulcers. Triphala can work nicely on ulcers but if we use in unequal proportion rather than equal proportion.

For example:

• Triphala with Shankha Bhasma with ghee.
• Triphala churn with Avipattikar churn and ghee
• Triphala along with kutajarishta

Note : Above combination are explained for example only and are totally changeable and dependable on one’s dosha and prakriti. While taking these combinations Ayurveda physician will advice you some proper diet too like to avoid curd, sour food and fruits, fermented and bakery products.

Is Triphala acidic or alkaline?

The three fruits of Triphala are highly alkaline and hence Triphala reduces hyperacidity which is known as “Amla-pitta” in Ayurveda. Amla is one of the best herbs which reduces acid reflux.

The Vipaka (post digestive effect) of Triphala is sweet and also helps to reduce the acid refluxes.

Is Triphala a probiotic?

In today’s lifestyle we are eating lots of wrong combinations of foods along with toxicity. This can lead to loss of gut microbial activity which links to intestinal inflammation. Triphala is associated with anti-bacterial property and Increases gut barrier function and reduces inflammation.

What are the side effect of Triphala?

As such there are no such side effects of Triphala but make sure you are using Triphala as per your dosha‘s and prakriti.

Since Triphala acts as a laxative, if you are taking higher dose or with wrong combination it can cause diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, or abdominal pain.

Even be careful if you have vata imbalance because taking Triphala in such situations can make you drier. Make sure you are using Triphala with ideal Anupana (substance)

So, do consult your physician before taking Triphala for your health-related queries.

Who shouldn’t take Triphala powder?

Though Triphala has many more health benefits but at the same time it should be avoided in some condition. Like,

• Diarrhea
• Breast feeding
• Pregnancy
• During menstruation
• Baby below 3 years age
• Vata prakriti with dry skin problems

In which form is Triphala available?

Triphala is available in market in multiple formulations as, this is multifunctional herbs amongst all.

Triphala is available in following formulations:

1. Triphala powder
2. Triphala tablets or capsule
3. Triphala ghritam
4. Triphaladyarishtam
5. Maha Triphala ghritam
6. Triphala kwath
7. Triphala kids drops

Along with all above separately, Triphala is combined in lots of other ayurvedic medicine formulations for eg., chyavanprash, Amrit Rasayan, Abhayarishtam and many more.

Make sure your Triphala contains fruit pulp, so that Ayurveda can also ensure that Triphala causes rejuvenation and longevity with true wellness.

Apart from Amla, Hirada & Behada, are there any other popular combinations of medicinal fruits in Ayurveda?

There are many herbal formulations like Triphala. Ayurveda has lots of herbs and combination in its treasure. Some of the example are:

• Trikatu (Three spices)– Dry ginger, long pepper, black pepper.
• Dasha Moola (Ten roots) – Bilwa, shonyak, patala, agnimanth, kashmari kantakari, shalparni, prushniparni, gokshur, sarivan.
• Sitopaladi Churn – Sita (sugar), cardamom, pepper, vanshalochan (bamboo’s white part), cinnamon.
• Talisadi Churna – Talis (Indian silver fir, black pepper, vanshlochan, dry ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, sita.
• Avipattikar Churn –Amla, Behda, black pepper, clove, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, Haritaki, Indian bay leaf, long pepper, nutgrass, turpeth.
• Medhya Rasayan – Mandukparni, guduchi, licorice, shankhpushpi
• Panchavalkal (five types of tree barks) – Mango, jambu, kapittha, bilwa, bijpuraka

Above are some famous examples and like these, there are so many other that have been explained in Ayurveda textbook.

Are there any alternatives to Triphala in different seasons?

Triphala churn is magical remedy of Ayurveda with three herbs namely Hirada, Behada, Amla , which acts nicely on constipation.

Amalaki works on pitta dosha , Bibhitaki on kapha dosha and Haritaki on vata dosha together acts as tridoshagna (pacify tridosha).

In ayurvedic Ritu charya (seasonal regimen) as per specific season diet, lifestyle and medicines are changed as per doshas and body type.

In that condition in some seasons when we cannot advice Triphala we can advise some alternative Ayurveda herbs or combinations like.

• Dashmoola
• Avipattikar churnam
• Gndharva Haritaki
• Abhayarishtam
• Phaltrikadi kashayam

And many more as per dosha, prakriti and seasons.

Does commercially purchased Triphala from a pharmacist have an expiry date?

Yes it depends on quality of herbs that are being used used to form Triphala.  In general way some ayurvedic herbal powders expire in 6-8 month. This expiry is totally dependent on part which we used while making the powder and also on season. Keeping powders in an airtight glass bottle is the best way to use them for prolonged time.

What to look for when you purchase Triphala from a pharmacist across the counter?

While buying Triphala from a pharmacist you should always check the proportion of each fruit of Triphala and the second thing is expiry date of the product for your safety measures.

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