Benefits of Triphala, Overview, Medicinal Uses, and Dosage

Triphala literary means “three fruits”, is a traditional formulation that consists of three fruits that are native to the Indian subcontinent ie., Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Vibhitaki (Terminal belerica), and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula). The formulation contains equal proportions of the pericarp of these fruits.

In ancient Ayurvedic text, it is considered under Rasayana means it is a therapeutic agent with rejuvenating and balancing effects on the three doshas of the body ie., Vata, pitta and Kapha. In this combination, these three fruits are used for internal cleansing and detoxifying formula.

What does Ayurveda say about Triphala?

As per Ayurveda aspect:

——-Shloka————-

This shloka means that if we take amalaki, haritaki, and vibhitaki in equal quantity then this is called triphala. It’s also called phalatrika, vara. Triphala balances aggravated kapha and pitta dosha, treats diabetes mellitus, skin diseases, is helpful in eye diseases, increases digestive fire, increases taste, and treats fever.

(Bhavapraksha nighantu- (Haritkyadi varga)- Page no. 12 and Shloka no. 42 and 43)

Triphala Names in different languages:

As Triphala is a combination of three herbs Amalaki, Vibhatki, Haritaki, below are alternative names provided for each herb.

Amalaki:

English name: Indian Gooseberry

Hindi name: Amla, Awala, Aonla

Vibhtaki:

English name: Belleric Myrobalan

Hindi name: Baherha, Bahera

Haritaki:

English name: Chebulic Myrobalan

Hindi name: Harad, Harre

Synonyms in the Sanskrit language:

Amalaki: Amalaki, Vyastha, Dhatri

Vibhitaki: Kaliphala, Karnaphala, Aksha, Kalidruma, Bhutvasta

Haritaki: Haritaki, Abhaya, Haimvati, Vyasatha, Shiva, Pathya. Avyatha

Synonyms of triphala:

Phala trika and Vara

Habitat:

Amalaki: It is native to all over India and cultivated in gardens on a small as well as large scale

Vibhitaki: Found in deciduous forests of India and Burma

Haritaki: It is native to India in Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, Maharashtra, and also in Burma

Medicinal properties of Triphala

Amalaki

  1. Rasa (Taste): Pancharasa (Amla predominance and Lavanarahita)- Has five tastes ie., sweet, sour, bitter, astringent, and pungent; excludes salt and sour is dominant
  2. Guna (Quality): Laghu (light), Ropoksha (dry), and Sheeta (Cold)
  3. Virya (Potency): Sheeta (Cold)
  4. Vipaka (Undergoes taste conversion after digestion): Madhura (Sweet)
  5.  Prabhava (Action): Rasayana (Anti-aging)
  6. Dosha karma (Effect on dosha): Tridoshara

Vibhtaki

  1. Rasa (Taste): kashaya (Astringent)
  2. Guna (Quality): Laghu (light) and Ropoksha (dry)
  3. Virya (Potency): Ushna (Hot)
  4. Vipaka (Undergoes taste conversion after digestion): Madhura (Sweet)
  5. Dosha karma (Effect on dosha): Tridoshara

Haritaki

  1. Rasa (Taste): Pancharasa (Kashaya predominance and Lavanarahita)- Has five tastes ie., sweet, sour, bitter, astringent and pungent; excludes salt and astringent is dominant
  2. Guna (Quality): Laghu (light) and Ropoksha (dry)
  3. Virya (Potency): Ushna (Hot)
  4. Vipaka (Undergoes taste conversion after digestion): Madhura (Sweet)
  5. Dosha karma (Effect on dosha): Tridoshara

Chemical constituents of Triphala

Amalaki: Vitamin C, fixed oil, essential oil, phosphatides, tannins

Vibhitaki: Tannin, Gallo-tannic acid and resin

Haritaki: Tannin, Gallic acid, and Chebulic acid

Health benefits of Triphala:

  1. Triphala is the best source of antioxidants which prevents the damage caused by free radicals
  2. It keeps pitta and kapha in a balanced state in the body
  3. As it is used in Diabetes mellitus because of the natural antioxidant property
  4. Its powder form is used in relieving laziness
  5. In Ayurvedic text, its kwath is mentioned which is used in healing non-healing wounds
  6. It also helps to improve eyesight and treats computer vision syndrome

Ayurvedic benefits of Triphala

In Ayurveda, Triphala is used as a laxative in chronic constipation, colon cleansing, and digestion issues.

It shows good results in poor liver functioning, serum cholesterol, ulcerative colitis, and high blood pressure.

It also works as a natural blood purifier and improves mental faculties, possesses anti-aging and hypoglycemic properties.

What does Triphala do to your body?

Triphala prevents cataract, improves eyesight, eliminates toxins, improves digestion, absorb nutrients, improves immunity, treats skin diseases, and eliminates free radicals.

How to take Triphala and dosage:

Triphala can be taken in the form of tea, tablets, powder, or liquid extract

Tea dosage: Decoction made by ½ teaspoon of Triphala powder in a cup of hot water and can preferably be taken on an empty stomach and can be taken in the evening before bed.

Tablet dosage:

1 or 2 tablets before bedtime or upon rising in the morning, before food

Powder dosage:

½ to 2 teaspoons once or twice in a day with ghee, honey, or warm water before food

Liquid extract dosage:

30 drops in about 1 to 2 ounces of water, once or twice a day

Juice dosage: 2 to 3 teaspoons once or twice daily

The best time to take Triphala is before food for better results.

Triphala Capsules is a blend of three wonder herbs that removes the fat deposits and toxins from the intestines and helps to regulate the metabolism, effectively. This is an ancient Ayurvedic formulation for the treatment of constipation. It aids the proper functioning of the digestive tract, circulatory, and respiratory systems.

Triphala benefits for skin:

Triphala shows the best results in various skin problems like acne. As per the Ayurveda aspect, an increase in Kapha dosha leads to an increase in the production of sebum and clogging of pores. This also leads to the formation of black and whiteheads on the skin. Aggravation pitta dosha in the body leads to red papules with inflammation and pus. Triphala helps to balance pitta and Kapha dosha and also maintains sebum production which keeps the skin healthy.

How to use:

Take 1 to 2 teaspoons of Triphala powder and mix coconut oil in it. Make a paste of them and apply this paste on the face gently and rub this paste on the skin. Leave it for 15 minutes and then wash it off with plain warm water.

Triphala benefits of hair:

Triphala helps to control hair fall naturally and also promotes growth when we apply it directly on the scalp. Because hair fall is caused due by the aggravation of Vata dosha in the body and Triphala balances Vata dosha and controls dandruff in the dry scalp which is the main cause of hair fall in today’s lifestyle.

How to use:

Take 1 to 2 teaspoons of Triphala powder and add 3 to 4 cups of water and boil this water until it remains to half and then let it cool for 10 to 15 minutes. Apply this on the scalp and keep it for 30 to 45 minutes then wash it properly with a mild shampoo.

Side effects of Triphala:

There are various side effects of Triphala:

Increased dryness, Burning sensation (in those patients who have a sensitive stomach), Lack of sleep, headache, rashes, nausea, gas, stomach upset, diarrhea, etc.

Conclusion:

From this article, it is concluded that Triphala has various medicinal properties and uses which prevent the body from various skin, hair, and abdominal issues.

Note: Our purpose is to serve useful information related to Triphalas benefits, dosage, and other properties. It is advised to the patients not to consume Triphala on the basis of this information. Before taking Triphala as a medicine it is better to have an expert opinion because dosage and treatment vary from patient to patient depending on their symptoms and medical history.

Doctor Consultation Online: Get Personalized Consultation

At Life Aveda, we provide personalized online doctor consultations. In this, a doctor discusses the medical history of patients, does the root analysis on causes. After the deep analysis doctor suggest the necessary medication to the patient. To book a Consultation call on us at +91 7743002520 or click on the button to schedule an appointment with our expert doctors.

 We Care For Your Health

  • 100% PRIVACY PROTECTION
  • VERIFIED DOCTORS
  • QUICK RESPONSE
More Articles To Read