Triphala finds its place in Ayurvedic Epics such as Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita and has been a staple in most of the Indian homes for the past thousands of years. It is a powerful Ayurvedic solution for cleansing the digestive system and supporting better nutrition absorption.
Especially with modern day lifestyle of stress, sedentary lifestyle, fast-food and much more the tendency for us to fall sick quickly is on the rise. In such a scenario, triphala is a perfect blend for people who are in search of natural ways to boost their health.
In this article, we will understand what is tripahla, its benefits and how to use it.
What is Triphala?
Triphala, as the name suggests, is a blend of Tri Phala - meaning three fruits, these three fruits being Amla, Haritaki and Bibhitaki.
Amla: Thanks to internet, many of us have good knowledge about this gem called amla (Indian Gooseberry). With the benefits of being rich in Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidants, amla really helps in boosting immunity and promote good hair and skin health. In addition to this, amla has also been seen helpful in cooling down acidity because of it tendency to balance Pitta Dosha.
Haritaki: This, on the other hand, however less marketed, is a powerful house of benefits balancing all the tridoshas- Vata, Pitta and Kapha all at the same time. It is known to be really effective in regularizing bowel movements and supporting good digestion.
Bibhitaki: While the above two phalas support digestive system and boosts immunity, Bibhitaki is very well known for its detoxifying characteristics. It promotes liver function, respiratory health, digestive health etc. So this herb in itself is a complete herb to take care of most of the bodily functions.
All the above herbs have numerous benefits individually, when combined together the blend works magically on the body.
Benefits of Triphala Powder:
As mentioned above, the wide range of benefits of triphala includes digestive issues, aiding nutrition absorption and strengthening immunity. Let’s look into individual benefits.
Detoxification and Cleansing: Since triphala helps in aiding digestive system, the food that we consume get cleared up properly from the intestines which helps remove Ama, the toxins which get accumulated in the body from indigestion of food. Therefore, clearing and detoxifying the body and bringing to its natural and more balanced state.
Relieving Chronic Constipation: Triphala is very effective in chronic constipation and irregular gut patterns. The haritaki present in it balances Vata, Pitta and Kapha doshas. Furthermore, haritaki is rich in tannins which are astringent in nature toning the digestive tissues which in turn promotes a regular bowel movement. All this without the side-effects of habit-forming laxatives.
Promoting better digestion and nutrient absorption: Using Triphala regularly will keep the bowel clean along with keeping in checking bloating, gas and acidity issues which eventually help digestive system to become healthier. A clean and healthy gut allows nutrition to be absorbed effectively and get more value of the food eaten which again leads to overall well-being.
Building Immunity: Triphala has traditionally been uses for a better immunity system as the amla present in it is a rich source of Vitamin C and anti-oxidants promoting healthier and regulated production of WBCs, body natural defense mechanism. The flavonoids present in triphala also protects the body from oxidative stress.
All the above benefits are interlinked and, if catered to well, will result in overall well-being of the individual.
How to use:
Traditionally triphala has been used in the powder form famously called Triphla Churna. However, with the advancing market trends, it is know available in other forms like capsules, tablets, shots etc. The choice of style and form really depends on the person’s convenience and preference to taste. Irrespective of the above, the prescribed dosage of taking triphala is ½ to 1 teaspoon preferably before bedtime. To improve the taste of it a bit, one can take it with warm water or honey.
Who should avoid:
Always keep in mind that excess of anything is bad. The same applies to triphala also. Using it in excess quantity can cause over-sensitivity of the digestive system. With that said, it is also very important for the pregnant women and lactating mothers to consult a health professional before taking it.
The Key Take away:
While it is not a substitute to any medication or living a healthy life through eating properly and following your dincharya, triphala serves as a great help to improve bodily functions related to liver, digestive, skin, hair, immunity etc. It is not merely a remedy but a long-term ritual for the holistic well-being. However, it is advised to always consult a professional in the field if adverse symptoms are observed. Heal your gut. Reset your roots. Let Triphala do the work.
