Triphala – Top Ayurveda Remedy
Triphala is a traditional Ayurvedic Indian herbal compound used for constipation and poor bowel tone and is designed to support the body’s natural cleansing process. It is one of Ayurveda’s most important herbal formulas for thousands of years. Triphala is a balanced blend of three Indian Herbal Fruits: Harada (haritaki), Amla (amalaki) and Behada (bibhitaki). Each balanced to vatta, pitta and kapha respectively.
Haritaki is healing to all tissues of the body. It supports the excretory, digestive and nervous system. It is a nutritive tonic laxative that is calming. It corrects constipation and loose stools. It is astringent and salty and is balancing for the vatta dosha.
Amalaki is cooling, highly nutritious, tonic, and astringent and is a mild laxative. It is sour and clears heat and inflammation in the stomach and intestines. It is the highest known source of Vitamin C in nature. It is balancing for the pitta dosha.
Bibhitaki is a strong laxative and is astringent, therefore, it can cleanse the intestines and tonify at the same time. It is hot and sweet and is beneficial for the digestive, respiratory and urinary systems and can treat loose stool, parasites, mucus, bronchitis and kidney stones. It is balancing for the kapha dosha.
Triphala can be used on all body doshas (kapha, vata and pitta) types. Therefore, it is “tridosha” meaning it can help in restoring balance. Triphala is neither a harsh expellant nor a laxative, but a mild and gentle cleanser. Triphala cleanses the body tissue, reduces cholesterol, high blood pressure, improves circulation and regulates elimination.
This combination of fruits is unique because the astringent qualities of the fruits serve to tonify the colon therefore promoting internal cleansing naturally. This is highly recommended for anyone doing a detox program.
Triphala is available in capsules now in health food stores. There is no known interactions between herb and allopathic drugs. No safety warnings. Triphala may be used up to six months. Adults can take two tablets two to three times a day between meals. Children under ten can take the same dosage. Best used regularly to improve bowel health.
Traditional Ayurvedic Qualities and Uses of Triphala
Taste: Sweet, sour, pungent, astringent, bitter
Virya: Warm
Vipaka: Sweet, Sour, Pungent
Guna: Light and dry
Dosha: Tridoshic, meaning it balances all constitutions
Prabhava: Rasayan, which means it builds Ojas, innate strength
Pharmacology: Adaptogenic, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal, anti-yeast, antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-tumor, blood pressure lowering, cholesterol lowering, digestive, diuretic, laxative Indications: anemia, bowel toxicity, irregularity, chronic lung disease, constipation, diarrhea, eye disease, High cholesterol, hypertension, indigestion, skin disorders, yeast infections
Triphala:
*improves digestion,
*reduces serum cholesterol,
*improves circulation (potentiates adrenergic function),
*contains 31% linoleic acid,
*exerts a marked cardio-protective effect,
*reduces high blood pressure,
*improves liver function,
*has proven anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties,
*expectorant, hypotensive
Because of its high nutritional content, Ayurvedic doctors generally do not regard Triphala as a mere laxative. Some of the scientific research and practical experience of people using it down through the ages has demonstrated that Triphala is an effective blood purifier that stimulates bile secretion as it detoxifies the liver, helps digestion and assimilation, and significantly reduces serum cholesterol and lipid levels throughout body. As a result, it is regarded as a kind of universal panacea and is the most commonly prescribed herbal formula.
References
1. Michael Tierra, Planetary Herbology
2. Paul Pitchford, Healing with Whole Foods, North Atlantic Books
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About the Author
Connect with Andrew Pacholyk MS L.Ac at peacefulmind.com “Living Life, Consciously” Alternative medicine and therapies for healing mind, body & spirit!
