Triphala - The Digestive Stimulant

Triphala or three fruits is a herbal preparation consisting of three essential ayurvedic pure herbs - Amalaki, Bibhitaki and Haritaki.

Triphala is primarliy used as a digestive stimulant. It has multiple benefits and extensive usage in Ayurveda. The key benefits of Triphala are:

• relieves constipation
• is a digestive stimulant
• reduces blood sugar levels
• detoxifies the blood
• is an anti-inflammatory
• is an anti-oxidant, anti-stress with potential anti-cancer properties
• srengthens the eyes, particularly in cases of cataracts, glaucoma, and conjunctivitis

What is Triphala?

Triphala is a category of Ayurvedic remedy categorised as Rasayana. Rasayanas are essentially preparations made out of a combination of two or more pure herbs. Triphala is a combination of three fruit bearing herbs - Amalaki or Embilica officinalis, Bibhitaki or Terminalia bellirica, and Haritaki or Terminalia chebula.

Amalaki is a rich source of Vitamin C. It is a natural anti-oxidant and detoxificant. Dried amalaki is the dried amalaki fruit. It is useful in hemorrhage, diarrhea and dysentery. It is antibacterial and its astringent properties prevent infection and help in the healing of ulcers. It is used as a laxative to relieve constipation in piles. It is used in the treatment of leukorrhea and artherosclerosis.

The fruit of the Bibhitaki tree possesses antibacterial properties and is useful in piles and diarrhea.

Haritaki is a carminative and appetite stimulant. It has various medicinal uses. It is helpful in piles, chronic fever, diarrheoa, anorexia, chronic cough, and other complaints and symptoms.

The combinations of these three herbs make Triphala. These herbal fruits essentially improve digestions, helps in assimiliation of nutrients in food and promotes internal cleansing. In Ayurveda, Triphala has a significant medicinal value as a potential natural detoxifier and has anti-bacterial and anti-cancer properties.

Effects of Triphala

Effect on constipation - Triphala is a gentle laxative and relieves constipation, ideal for the elderly and those with sensitive digestive systems. Regular intake of Triphala relieves chronic constipation without any harmful side effects. Being completely natural it is not habit forming. It cleanses the stomach and has no harmful effects on the stomach flora.

General digestive support and intestinal stimulant - It is a natural digestive tonic. It promotes digestion and improves appetite. Triphala detoxifies the stomach as well as the intestinal tract. It reduces stomach acidity, gas and flatulence, improves appetite and absorption of nutrients and regularizes the functioning of the digestive system and improves general metabolism.

Reduces Blood Sugar levels and Detoxifies the blood - Triphala balances blood-sugar levels. It improves red blood count and hemoglobin levels in the blood. It aids in the removal of undesirable fat in the body. It has anti-cholesterol and anti-mucusproperties.

Anti-inflammatory, Anti-stress and rejuvenator - Triphala has anti-inflammatory properties and is prescribed for arthritis, gout and other joint inflammation conditions.

Triphala is rich in vitamin C. Regular intake of Triphala boosts immunity. It had effective anti-aging properties, improves skin tone and complexion and helps relieve mental stress.

Studies have shown Triphala to have potential anti-cancer properties. It works well as a general health tonic which improves the functioning of the digestive tract as well as other parts of the body.

Triphala is useful in indiciations like:-

• Relieving constipation
• Acidity
• Poor Digestion
• Diabetes
• Stress and premature ageing