Introduction
Three
medicinal herbs make up Triphala (in Sanskrit, “tri” means “three” and “phala”
means “fruits”). It is an antioxidant-rich herbal preparation described as a
Rasayana (rejuvenator) medicine by Ayurvedic practitioners. Combining the three
fruits is said to be responsible for triphala’s numerous health benefits. 1
Triphala
is made from dried fruits of three different plants: Terminalia chebula (black
myrobalan), Terminalia bellerica (bastard
myrobalan), and Phyllantus emblica (emblic myrobalan or Indian
gooseberry). The spring-harvested fruits of Terminalia chebula are
high in tannins such as gallic acid, ellagic acid, chebulic acid, chebulinic
acid, chebulagic acid, neochebulinic acid, corilagin, terchebin, punicalagin,
and terfavin, flavonoids (rutins, luteolin and quercetin), starches, amino
acids (glutamic acid, aspartic acid, lysine, arginine and proline),
β-sitosterol, succinic acid, fructose and fatty acids.2
What Is Triphala?
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Triphala has been used
in traditional Ayurvedic medicine since ancient times as a multi-purpose
treatment for symptoms ranging from stomach ailments to dental cavities. It is
also believed to promote longevity and overall health .
It’s considered a
polyherbal medicine, meaning it consists of several different medicinal herbs.
Polyherbal formulations
are popularly used in Ayurvedic medicine, a traditional system that emphasizes
disease prevention and health promotion.
It’s believed that
combining synergistic herbs results in extra therapeutic effectiveness and is a
more powerful treatment than any one component taken alone
Triphala is a mixture of
the dried fruits of the following three plants native to India.
Amla
(Emblica officinalis)
More commonly known as
Indian gooseberry, amla plays an important role in Ayurvedic medicine.
It is one of the oldest
edible fruits known to India .
Indian gooseberries are
the edible fruit of a small to medium-sized tree that grows throughout India.
The berries have a sour,
sharp taste and a fibrous texture.
For this reason, the
berries are often pickled, soaked in sugar syrup or cooked into dishes to
increase palatability.
Indian gooseberry and
its extract are used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat symptoms like constipation
and also used in cancer prevention.
Indian gooseberries are
very nutritious and high in vitamin C, amino acids and minerals .
They also contain
powerful plant compounds like phenols, tannins, phyllembelic acid, rutin,
curcuminoids and emblicol.
Several test-tube
studies suggest that Indian gooseberries have potent anti-cancer properties.
For example, in
test-tube studies, Indian gooseberry extract has been shown to inhibit the
growth of cervical and ovarian cancer cells.
However, there is no
evidence that Indian gooseberries prevent cancer in humans.
Bibhitaki
(Terminalia bellirica)
Terminalia bellirica is a large tree that commonly grows in Southeast
Asia.
It’s known as
“Bibhitaki” in Ayurvedic medicine, where the fruit of the tree is used as a
treatment for common ailments like bacterial and viral infections.
Bibhitaki contains
tannins, ellagic acid, gallic acid, lignans and flavones, along with many other
powerful plant compounds that are thought to be responsible for its medicinal
qualities
This potent herbal
remedy has a variety of uses and may help treat a wide array of medical issues.
In particular, Bibhitaki
has been researched for its anti-inflammatory properties.
In one study, 500 mg
of Terminalia bellirica substantially reduced uric acid
levels in patients with gout, an inflammatory condition characterized by the
buildup of uric acid in the body .
Bibhitaki is also
commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat diabetes and blood sugar
dysregulation.
This is because
Bibhitaki is high in gallic acid and ellagic acid, two phytochemicals that have
beneficial effects on blood sugar levels, insulin sensitivity and body weight .
These plant chemicals
help promote insulin secretion from the pancreas and have been shown to reduce
high blood sugar and
improve insulin
resistance in animal studies .
Haritaki
(Terminalia chebula)
Terminalia chebula is a medicinal tree that grows throughout the
Middle East, India, China and Thailand.
This plant is known as
“Haritaki” in Ayurveda, where the small, green fruit of the Terminalia
chebula tree is used as medicine. It is one of the main components of
Triphala .
Haritaki is held in high
esteem in Ayurveda and often referred to as the “king of medicines.”
It has been used since
ancient times as a remedy for a number of conditions, including heart disease,
asthma, ulcers and stomach ailments.
Haritaki contains
phytochemicals such as terpenes, polyphenols, anthocyanins and flavonoids, all
of which have powerful health benefits.
Studies have shown that
haritaki has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Additionally, Haritaki
is popularly used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat digestive issues like
constipation.
Animal studies have
shown that treatment with Haritaki increases intestinal transit time, which can
help relieve constipation .
Summary Triphala is
a powerful herbal remedy that consists of
Haritaki, Bibhitaki and amla. It is used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine to
prevent disease and treat a number of symptoms, including constipation and
inflammation.
Possible Health Benefits of Triphala
Triphala is promoted as
a treatment for a number of common ailments and way to prevent chronic disease.
Anti-Inflammatory
Properties
Triphala contains a
number of antioxidants that perform protective functions in the body.
It contains vitamin C,
flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins and saponins, along with other potent plant
compounds.
These compounds help
fight oxidative stress caused by free radicals, which are molecules that can
damage cells and contribute to chronic disease.
Diets high in
antioxidants have been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease, certain
cancers, diabetes and premature aging.
What’s more, in animal
studies, Triphala has been shown to reduce inflammation and damage caused by
arthritis.
Studies have shown that
supplementing with antioxidants may have some benefits as well, including
protecting against heart disease, improving athletic performance and reducing
inflammation.
May
Protect Against Certain Cancers
Triphala has been shown
to protect against certain cancers in a number of test-tube and animal studies.
For example, it has been
shown to inhibit the growth of lymphoma, as well as stomach and pancreatic
cancers in mice.
This herbal remedy also
induced colon and prostate cancer cell death in test-tube studies.
Researchers have
suggested that Triphala’s high levels of powerful antioxidants like gallic acid
and polyphenols may be responsible for its cancer-fighting properties.
Though these results are
promising, human studies on its potential cancer-fighting properties are needed
to assess safety and effectiveness.
May
Protect Against Dental Disease and Cavities
Triphala may benefit
dental health in several ways.
Triphala has
antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help prevent plaque
formation, a common cause of cavities and gingivitis (gum inflammation).
One study in 143
children found that rinsing with a mouthwash containing Triphala extract
reduced plaque buildup, gum inflammation and bacterial growth in the mouth.
Another study showed
treatment with a Triphala-based mouthwash led to a significant reduction in
plaque and gum inflammation in hospitalized patients with periodontal disease.
May
Aid Weight Loss
Some studies have shown
that Triphala may help with fat
loss, especially in the belly area.
In one study, rats fed a
high-fat diet supplemented with Triphala had more significant reductions in
body weight, energy intake and body fat, compared to mice who were not
supplemented with Triphala.
Another study of 62
obese adults found that those who supplemented with a 10-gram daily dose of
Triphala powder experienced a greater reduction in weight, waist circumference
and hip circumference than those who received a placebo.
Can
Be Used as a Natural Laxative
Triphala has been used
since ancient times as a natural treatment for digestive issues like constipation.
It is an alternative to
over-the-counter laxatives, and its effectiveness has been demonstrated in
several studies.
In one study, patients
treated with a laxative containing isabgol husk, senna extract and Triphala
experienced significant improvements in symptoms of constipation, including
decreased straining and more complete evacuations.
In another study in
patients with gastrointestinal disorders, Triphala reduced constipation,
abdominal pain and flatulence and improved the frequency and consistency of
bowel movements .
It has also been shown
to reduce intestinal inflammation and repair intestinal damage in animal
studies .
Summary Triphala
contains
powerful anti-inflammatory compounds that may help protect against certain
cancers and other chronic diseases. Studies have shown that it may help treat
constipation, resolve dental issues and promote weight loss.