Triphala – an Ayurvedic Panacea

“When in doubt, give Triphala” could easily be the Ayurvedic motto. Triphala (Trifala), which means the three fruits, is one of the main Ayurvedic compounds. It can be used to shampoo the hair or wash the body; as an emetic or a laxative; as nose, ear, or eye drops; as a gargle or a snuff; or as a decoction for enema.

When eaten it gently scrapes ama away (see Ama-root of all diseases), and also rejuvenates the membrane lining the digestive tract. Triphala helps calm inflammations, scrapes excess fat from the body, and balances all three doshas. It is the best laxative and bowel tonic; a balanced Rasayana (see Rasayana-Ayurvedic rejuvenation); and an effective astringent for external use.

Triphala is a mixture of three of the most important Ayurvedic herbs:
Haritaki (Terminalia chebula) is rejuvenative for Vata,
Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) for Pitta;
Bibitaki (Terminalia belerica)for Kapha.

Of primary importance is the use of Triphala as a bowel regulator, for which it is considered to be as safe as a food, and not habit forming even when taken on a daily basis.

Regular, daily use of triphala will promote normal appetite, good digestion, an increase in red blood cells and hemoglobin, and aid in the removal of undesirable fat.

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Triphala aids in absorption of pure prana (life force) from the food and revitalizing of the entire body. Triphala has an important application as an eye strengthener (see Triphala eye treatment).

How to take Triphala:
Start with a half teaspoon at night just before bed. Put Triphala into boiling water, let it steep and drink the water leaving the herbs at the bottom of your cup. Or put the powder on your tongue and wash it down with warm water. If absolutely necessary Triphala powder can be mixed with honey and taken that way.

Triphala may taste quite bitter or sour at first but Ayurveda believes strongly in taking powdered herbs through the mouth. Receiving signals from the tongue our digestive system releases the right enzymes to properly absorb the food, medicine or herb. That’s why it is so important to let the medicine go through the whole digestive tract instead of dropping a capsule into the stomach.

Sometimes there are so many toxins (ama) in the body that when Triphala mobilizes them, the toxins try to come out not only through the colon but through the skin as well. The rash is not Triphala’s fault; it is the product of the body’s own toxins. In that case just stop taking the Triphala until the rash goes away, then return to it in half the previous dose for a week or two until your body gets its elimination system running properly.

TODAY’S TIP: Sometimes Triphala on its own is enough to rearrange things, and even if it is not, it “gets the ball rolling” so that the next remedy will have less work to do.