Triphala is the most amazing Ayurvedic herbal combination there is. It means literally translated “three fruits”. It is one of the most used and famous herbal compounds in Ayurvedic medicine. The three fruits contained in Triphala are Haritaki, Amalaki and Bibhitaki. Together combined these three fruits make up an excellent combination that balances all three doshas: Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
The ingredients that make up Triphala are powerful individually. When combined correctly, synergy enhances the healing effect exponentially.
The first ingredient is Haritaki. This fruit is mentioned in almost all ayurvedic textbooks. Charaka goes so far as to say that Haritaki is as nourishing and useful for everyone as mother’s milk. He mentions that it’s a rasayana (rejuvenative tonic) for the eyes and good for the digestive system. It helps enhance the absorption of nutrients in food. Haritaki cleanses the channels of the body and is absorbed quickly by the body. Haritaki also helps elimination and therefore helps relieve constipation.
Amalaki is an excellent source of Vitamin C, and is the most concentrated and absorbable source of the vitamin in the plant kingdom. Because of its high content of Vitamin C, Amalaki is a powerful antioxidant. There are many excellent qualities in Amalaki. Amalaki helps purify toxins from the body, by enhancing food absorption. When your digestion becomes stronger, the food you eat is converted to nutrition rather than staying undigested and producing impurities. The unique thing about Amalaki is that it heightens digestion, yet is not heating. That’s why it’s traditionally considered one of the best herbs for balancing stomach acid. By enhancing digestion, it helps eliminate toxins from the body. It does this by strengthening and stimulating the liver.
Bibhitaki, the final ingredient in Triphala, is also famous in the classical ayurvedic texts for its many great qualities. Charaka reports that it is ideal for pacifying both Pitta and Kapha, and that it cleanses the blood, the muscle and the fat tissue. Sushruta points out the bhedana effect of this fruit, which means that because of its heating quality it clears the clogged channels almost as if drilling them clear.
Triphala is a powerful Rejuvenator (rasayana)
There is a saying in India that if a vaidya (ayurvedic expert) knows how to use Triphala properly, he can heal any disease. It is a highly recommended rasayana in Ayurveda.
Besides nourishing the mind and body and promoting longevity, Triphala has many specific effects. It is particularly rejuvenating for the digestive tract, and is a rasayana for the eyes and the skin.
For most people Triphala is a mild laxative, and for that reason it is excellent for clearing toxins from the digestive system. In very rare cases it has a stronger laxative effect, but usually it is an ideal bowel cleanser precisely because of its mildness. In moderate doses it is gentle, and detoxifies the body slowly.
Triphala can be taken for longer periods of time, and then it has a deeply purifying effect. It goes deep into the physiology and releases the toxins at a much deeper level. Because it detoxifies the blood, muscle and fat tissues, it is excellent for preventing skin disease. And because it removes ama (toxins) from the fat tissue, Triphala also helps balance cholesterol. Triphala also purifies the urine and prevents urinary tract disease.
“So now you can see why Triphala is so powerful: it’s because the three fruits that make up the formula have remarkable abilities to cleanse impurities, tone the digestive tract, nurture the body and restore health.”
Traditionally, Triphala comes in different forms: As herbal powder (churna) or in capsules or in tablet form.
I recommend the Triphala capsules from the brand Innovative Therapies. Through use of breakthrough technologies and production of the finest quality raw materials, Innovative therapies has created a new standard of excellence that healthcare professionals can rely on for safety and efficacy. Innovative therapies provide cutting edge research and natural medicines to health care professionals.
The Indian company Himalaya also produces a Triphala in capsule form.