Triphala

Description

What is Triphala ?

Triphala has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. In Sanskrit, Triphala, literally meaning “three fruits”, Amla (amalaki) Harada (Haritaki) and baheda (bibhitaki), are used in equal parts. Each fruit is thought to positively impact the body’s three doshas. In Ayurvedic medicine, doshas are elemental forces believed to permeate body, mind, and spirit.

Mother Triphala and its uses.

Ayurveda strongly believes that proper digestion “Agni” and a strong gut health devoid of disorders “vikar” and waste “Ama” is the best way to maintain a healthy body, mind and soul. This makes the Gaestro-intestinal tract the gateway for health and prosperity. The im-balance within the GI tract is considered the route cause of all diseases. It is through this and this alone almost all the diseases are conceived, which in turn affects most of the organs in the body. Therefore if the functioning of the GI tract is optimal the person will be “Nirogi” with no illness.

Mother is considered to be the caregiver to the whole family, It is understood that if you don’t have a mother, Triphala will act as one for you, by providing care to almost all the organs of the body like a mother takes care of her children. There is a subtle message in this anecdote, it compares to the physical, mental, and emotional care provided by the mother and therefore influencing and transforming all organs, including the mind.

The three fruits of this formulation correspond to the three doshas as defined by Ayurveda, and is considered a Tridoshic Rasayana, for providing balance. Triphala is good for all kinds of constipation and digestive disorders, unlike other purgatives it is hard to try and narrow its usages.  Triphala provides nutrition to the body while removing all stagnated wastes “Ama” and infections from the intestine and the liver. While doing so it also maintains healthy cholesterol levels, which maintains healthy blood pressure levels. It is non addictive and does not create any laxative dependency.

Lets look at the individual qualities of the three fruits

What are the medicinal uses of Amla ?

 According to Ayurveda the fruit of Amla has the following tastes:

sour (amla)

astringent (kashaya)

sweet (madhura),

bitter (tikta)

pungent (katu)

that gives it five out of six tastes (rasa) in Ayurveda. Its qualities are light and dry, while the energy emanated from Amla is cooling in nature. These qualities along with the active ingredients in the fruit help address the following ailments.

Vitamin C

Amla is said to contain four times the vitamin c of an orange. Vitamin C is known to increase the activity of natural killer cells leading to toxicity and breakdown of the cancerous cells. It may prove to inhibit the growth and multiplication of cancer cells to some extent.

Cholesterol

Amla can significantly support the metabolism of the body by increasing the digestive powers. This may lead to maintaining a balance of the cholesterol ratios in the body. Modern studies have evidence that a protein compound PPAR-α increases with the consumption of Amla, which is the main ingredient in cholesterol metabolism.

Indigestion, Diarrhea & Dysentery

Amla increases the Ojas by supporting the digestive fire (Pachak Agni) and greatly manages indigestion, further with its mildly laxative nature it assists in the cleansing of the digestive tract. Amla has antispasmodic property and helps relax the abdominal muscles, this provides relief in diarrhea and dysentery.

Obesity

Once again the role of Amla to increase the digestive powers and the metabolism within the body will greatly support weight loss.

Osteoarthritis and Joint pain

Sandhivata is a condition according to Ayurveda, when Vata gets aggravated which leads to Osteoarthritis and Joint pains. Amla has properties to balance Vata and thereby provide relief in both the conditions by significantly increasing mobility.

Pancreatitis & Diabetes

There is no established cure in Pancreatitis, however Amla may prove effective by fighting free radicals in the body, by doing that  it also lowers the risk of diabetic complications.

Amla supports glucose metabolism, thereby supporting blood glucose levels in the body, useful

What are the medicinal properties of Haritaki ?

According to Ayurveda:

Haritaki is Tridosh Nashak, it pacifies all the three doshas.

Doshas: Ayurveda believes that the intestines is the gateway to physical and emotional well being, and it is poor functioning (Vata Imbalance) gives rise to almost all diseases. Haritaki supports and aids digestion in the large intestine, which is considered the home of Vata. It assits in cleaning the intestines with its antibacterial properties. Therefore it is a key ingredient to address all types of “Vata Vikar”, like gas, bloating, indigestion and elimination, by strengthening the digestive Agni of the individual. Interestingly Haritaki is known to have five of the six tastes. The astringent qualities help in balancing Pitta and its bitter taste balances Kapha.

Modern approach:

The modern hypothesis has been that Haritaki is an excellent herb in eliminating human waste from the intestines which and has a direct impact on the brain. The researchers claim a healthy gut ensures a healthy brain. Further the longer the toxins are left lying in the body, more harm comes to it. This is considered one of the causes of degenerative diseases like Alzheimer and Parkinson’s. Haritaki’s ability to aid and support healthy digestion and elimination makes it relevant in addressing these diseases.

What are the medicinal properties of Bibhitaki ?

Bibhitaki, popularly known as “Baheda” in hindi and in Sanskrit it is pronounced as “Vibhitaki”. Bheeta means fear and Vibheeta means the lack of fear. Implying that it is the fruit that removes the fear of disease. The botanical name is Terminalia bellirica and it belongs to the Combretaceae family. This large deciduous tree is native to India and found in all parts of the country.

Bibhitaki is primarily used to pacify the Kapha dosha, however it balances all the three. It is said to contain plant compounds such as tannins, ellagic acid, gallic acid, lignans and flavones.

According to Ayurveda, Baheda powder helps in weight loss as it improves metabolism and reduces Ama by increasing the digestive fire.  These are the three main usages:

Cough, Cold & Constipation:

Kapha imbalance is responsible for cough and cold. Baheda pacifies Kapha dosha and helps pacify cough and cold by eliminating mucus and clearing passages  including nasal to promote normal breathing. Its Rechak (Laxative) properties help healthy elimination from the GI tract to relieve constipation.

Immunity

Baheda is a Rasayana and has rejuvenating properties, this helps to increase immunity and fight against infections in the body.

Metabolism and Weight Loss

Baheda enhances the Pachak Agni (digestive fire) which supports metabolism and helps in the digestion of food. Healthy digestion does not allow “Ama” to be accumulated in the body. Due to these, it maintains body weight, by supporting a normal appetite.

Why Age Ayurveda Triphala ?

Traditionally Triphala is taken as a Churan or powder. Age Ayurveda Triphala has provided standardized extracts of all three fruits in a Vegetable Capsules to not only increase the shelf life of the powder it makes it easier to carry and administer.