You all might have heard the word “Triphala” and some might have already used it or using daily. The people new to this word might question what is Triphala? The answer in short, the Triphala is an herbal formula used in the ancient science of Ayurveda. That is a mixture of three fruits known as ‘myrobalan plum’ they are Amalaki, Haritaki and Bibhitaki. The word ‘Triphala’ translates as this three fruits.There is a saying in india “No Mother” no worry if you have “Triphala”.This is an allusion which is belief that Triphala takes cares about the internal organs in the same way a mother cares for her children.
Triphala also called as “Trifala” it has a innumerable benefits, mainly due to its composition of 3 powerful healing herbs. In Ayurveda Triphala is known as ‘rasayan tridoshic’, means it balances or have rejuvenating effects on the three main constitutional elements vata-pitta-kapha that govern human life. It regulates Vata, maintaining metabolic processes in pitta and balances the nervous system that supports the structural integrity in kapha.
The Properties of Triphala:
The properties of Triphala depend on the properties of individual herbs that are used in it.
1.Amalaki: Also known as Indian gooseberry has the richest source of vitamin C among all fruits and vegetable. It is a light green fruit with a bitter taste due to its acidic content. The fruit is cooling and refreshing along with laxative and purgative properties. As it is rich in vitamin C, it accelerates blood clotting and heals wounds.It have also been used to regenerate a lost sexual vigor in both men and women.
2.Bibhitaki:It is herb with bitter taste also popularly known as Behra. Like the Amalaki it also it also have a properties of healing wound. It is a remedy for laxative, it reduces Fever and therefore it can be used an antipyretic drug.
3.Haritaki:It is one of the smoothest and safest used medicine in Ayurveda for laxative. It prevent Blood clotting,improves the functioning of the stomach and aids digestion. Haritaki is used to improve the nutritional imbalances in the system, and looks after the entire digestive, absorptive, assimilative and excretory process.
As Triphala which is made from these three valuable herbs it is a real boon to Ayurveda. Beside this there are also other three type of Triphala that are mention in “Nighantu and the Nirukta” the oldest Indian treatise on etymology, philology and sementics.Below are the other types.
Types of Triphala :
1.Swalpa Triphala: The combination of Draksha, kharjura and parushaka fruits together is called “Swalpa Triphala’.
2.Madhura Triplrala :The combination of Draksha, kharjura and kasuiarya fruits together-is called “swadu Triphala”. It is beneficial to vision, appetizer, promotes desire for food, and useful in alleviating irregular fever.
3.Sogandbi Triphala: The combination of Jatiphalam, ela and lavangam constitute is called “Sugandhi Triphala”. It is astringent, sweet in vipaka and useful in breaking constipation in kapha and vata doshas.
Ayurvedic Properties of Triphala :
Rasa :- Kasaya
Gun :- Ruksha, Sara
Virya :- Anusna
Vipaka :- Madhura
Doshashnata :- Tridoshasaniaka
Karma :- Chaksusys, Dipana, Vrishya, Prameha, Kustha, vishamajarnashaka, medohara
The Traditional uses of Ayurvedic Medicine Triphala:
Triphala to lose weight: Obesity occur for many reasons but one of the main reasons found in more people are due to by congestion of the internal organs of elimination including the liver and intestines. A recent study supports the traditional use of Triphala in the treatment of obesity. Researchers at (Biomedical Research Centre) found that triphala’s active molecules bind to the cellular receptor for CCK (Cholecystokinin). This CCK is a satiety hormone that released to indicate that you are full. The research on Synthetic analogues of CCK are under development by pharmaceutical companies. This will help controlling appetite and support healthy weight. Since both overeating and disrupt digestion lead to overload the gastrointestinal tract including the liver and intestine resulting obesity. In this condition Triphala prove be very effective in removing stagnation of both the liver and intestines.
Triphala to Control Diabetes: Triphala is found very effective in the treatment of diabetes (mellitus). It helps to stimulate the pancreas that contains islets of Langerhans which secrete insulin. Insulin is responsible for maintaining the appropriate level of glucose in the body. In a study done on rat by the (American Botanical Council) demonstrated that Triphala reduced the blood glucose levels in diabetic rats. The study concluded that the mechanism of action of these extracts in reducing blood glucose is not known, but may decrease the effect of inflammatory release cytokine in diabetics, which in turn may reduce insulin resistance. Moreover it was found that traditional medicines used to treat diabetes also have more significant antioxidant effects.
Triphala For Gouty Arthrists: There are various types of arthritis among this “gouty arthritis” are found in five percent of cases that have arthists. It is a painful condition which is believed to be due to the accumulation deposits of uric acid in the joints. According to the theory of Ayurveda the state of the colon is important in determining the condition of the bones. Vata absorption by the colon goes to the bones and causes arthritis. As Triphala believed be good for the colon it can be best in the treatment of arthritis.
Triphala For Digestion : Overall health depends healthy digestive system if our digestive is not proper it may create home of many diseases. Here Triphala can be very helpful as it is not habit forming one can use in long term without any side effects. Regular use of Triphala will benefit people suffering from the constipation. Triphala can be used to treat constipation in all the three doshas. It works by stimulating gastric mucosal of intestinal tract and balance digestion by removing toxins from the intestinal tract.
Triphala for Immunity: Triphala has powerful anti oxidant properties that help to regulate the metabolism of cells and facilitate in smooth functioning. This reduces the risk of overall production of free radicals which is supposed to be the main reasons of aging. Triphala stimulates the functioning of cell organelles such as mitochondria, Golgi bodies and nucleus which play a vital role in the proper functioning of the cell.
Triphala in Wound Healing: Ayurveda text “Susruta Samhita” recommend Triphala as a remedy that are good for the purification of a wound. There is modern research that supports that Triphala have properties that promotes healing of infected full thickness dermal wound. The study was focused on two different effects of Triphala. The results were as follows.
- It was shown that an alcoholic extract of Triphala has proven effective against wound pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes.
- An ointment made of Triphala was proven effective in wound closure. It was found that the effect of an ointment made of Triphala cured the infected wound faster. Thus concluded that active ingredients of Triphala can be an excellent therapeutic formulation for infected wounds.
Triphala as Antioxidant & Free Radical: The research has been done on in vitro antioxidant and free radical reactions of Triphala. A study on Ayurvedic formulation and its constituents evaluated that water extracts each healing properties from Triphala. The study, done on rats was found that all three compounds were effective in inhibiting of gamma radiation breaking into the plasmid DNA.
Triphala For Cancer Cure: A study on the Potential of traditional ayurvedic formulation “Triphala” have made some very important observations on the effectiveness of Triphala against cancer. The study was done on the cytotoxic effects of Triphala in a cell line of human breast cell cancer and thymic lymphoma tissue when transplanted to a mouse. The study found that the viability of the cell lines was reduced when Triphala concentrations were increased. Furthermore, it was discovered that normal breast cells, along with other normal cells were not affected. This important study points to the potential of clinical treatments of cancer with Triphala. So it is a future hope for cancer treatment.
Note:The pregnant women must start taking any new herbal supplements during gestation. Although amla which is one of the ingredients used in triphala that is recommended for lactating mother but Triphala is not advise as there is a risk that the properties that make cleansing may be beneficial to mothers but could prove toxic to a developing fetus.
Image Credit :Wiblick