Triphala is the most effective medicine in Ayurveda. It is available in tablet form and in churna. It is effective in many diseases like sinus congestion, anal abscess, fistula, piles etc. It is made up of three main ingredients Amalaki, Haritaki, and Bibhitaki. Because of these three ingredients, it is called Triphala. Tri means 3 and phala means fruits.

Ingredients in Triphala

Amalaki

Amalaki has botanical name Emblica Officinalis also known as Indian Gooseberry, a small fruit from Amla tree. We all know it is a rich source of vitamin C. In Amalaki there are also some active constitutions or we can say chemical compounds which are glutamic acid, aspartic acid, nicotinic acid, tannins, gallic acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid.

Amalaki gives nutrition to digestive tract also it has other wonderful benefits to the body including blood purification, liver rejuvenation, correct flow of vata. It is also used in jaundice, diabetes, eczema etc.

Haritaki

Haritaki’s botanical name is Terminalia Chebula. Haritaki is also a small fruit. It is one of the most rejuvenating herbs. It is used in many Ayurvedic medicines and has many health benefits. Haritaki contains tannic acid, gallic acid, chebulinic acid, ethyl gallate, ellagic acid. It is used as a laxative, Antidiabetic, effective in cough-cold, skin diseases, asthma, leucoderma etc.

Bibhitaki

Bibhitaki’s botanical name Terminalia Bellirica. In Sanskrit it is called Vibhitaki means fearless. Chemical contains in Bibhitaki are Sitosterol, Gallic acid, Ellagic acid, Chebulic acid, Mannitol, Oxalic acid, Galactose, and Fructose.

It is useful in asthma, anorexia, vomiting, arthritis, throat disorder, piles, diarrhea, brain tonic etc.

In Triphala churna, Amalaki, Haritaki, and Bibhitaki mixed in equal quantity. This is most versatile of all herbal formulation. It contains five tastes out of six which are described in Ayurveda, sweet, sour, bitter, pungent and astringent except salty.

Conditions in which Triphala is useful

• Triphala improves immune system stimulation
• Relief from gas
• Treatment of eye disease
• In treatment of diabetes
• Helpful in gastrointestinal tract cleaning

Medicinal properties of Triphala

• Antibacterial
• Antipyretic
• Anti microbial
• Anti-inflammatory

Mainly Triphala used as a laxative it nourishes the digestive tract and naturally cleans the colon. It improves digestion and absorption and correct constipation.

Triphala acts as an anti-inflammatory. It removes all toxins around soft tissues and area around the joint, which helps to relieve joint pain and reduces the symptoms of arthritis.

Triphala is useful in weight loss

Triphala is effective in weight loss because it is an effective metabolic stimulator. It excretes the waste product and toxins in the body and strengthen the tissues in the colon, and improves colon tone also enhances the peristalsis movement of the intestine and promotes regularity in motion.

Triphala controls the cholesterol level

Triphala also controls the cholesterol level in the body. It helps to reduce LDL and increases HDL. It also purifies blood and improves blood circulation.

Triphala acts as antibacterial. It is useful in helicobacter pylori infection, gastric ulcer and also inhibits the growth of streptococcus bacteria.

Triphala is useful in cancer treatment

Triphala is a natural antioxidant. It is a natural treatment for cancer. In 2015 scientist have found that Triphala is effective in prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed malignancies in men. Gallic acid in Triphala has anticancer activity. In early stage androgen dependant prostate cancer, it shows very effective results. In it Gallic acid act as antiproliferative. Also Triphala useful in pancreatic cancer, it reduces the survival of human pancreatic cancer cells.

Aqueous extract of Triphala selectively kills breast cancer tumor cells and relatively keeps the normal breast epithelial cells unharmed. Ellagic acid is a natural phenol antioxidant found in Triphala which inhibit certain carcinogen induced cancers.

The chebulic acid in Triphala acts as a hepatoprotective and alpha-glucosidase inhibitor. Alpha-glucosidase is a human gut enzyme useful in diabetes which works by preventing the digestion of carbohydrate and reduce its impact on blood sugar.

Dosage and side effect

Recommended dose of Triphala churna is 1 to 2 teaspoonful churna should be taken 2 times a day after meal.

A Large dose can cause stomach irritation to colon cleaning. There are a couple of side effects so it is safe to avoid in pregnancy.