Benefits and Uses of Triphala

Benefits and Uses of Triphala

Triphala - Amalaki, Bibhitaki and Haritaki

Meaning of Triphala

Triphala is a combination of two words - "tri" means three and "phala" means fruit. Triphala is an Ayurvedic herbal formula that consists of three fruits i.e. Amalaki, Bibhitaki and Haritaki in their powder form. 

Three Fruits in Triphala 

1. Amalaki: Amalaki, Sanskrit name for Amla, is a rich source of vitamin C. It supports good digestive system, improves immunity, improves appetite, acts as a strong anti-oxidant and hence provides healthy and glowing skin.

Amalaki - Indian Gooseberry

2. Bibhitaki: Bibhitaki commonly known as bihara, is called as "Vibheetaki" in Sanskrit. It is a fruit that takes away the fear of disease. It is a rich source of vitamin C and contains essential vitamins, minerals and protein. It is a very good tonic for digestive system, hair and skin. It also helps in boosting the immunity of the body.  

3. Haritaki: Also known as harada, is a super food for digestive system. It helps in reducing swelling, constipation and improves digestion. It also helps in weight loss, diabetes, heart problems and cleanses the urinary tract system.

According to Ayurveda, any disease in the body is the result of imbalance in any of the vata, pitta and kapha dosha. Triphala is one of the Ayurvedic herbs that is capable of balancing all the three doshas in the body. Amalaki helps in pitta dosha, bibhitaki helps in kapha dosha and haritaki helps in vata dosha. 

Benefits of Triphala

1. Laxative: Triphala acts as an anti-bacterial and helps in improving the metabolism of the body and hence improves the digestive system. Taking triphala daily eliminates constipation and helps in a good bowel movement. 

2. Weight loss: Triphala improves digestion and reduces constipation and inflammation of the digestive tract system. The regular intake of triphala promotes weight loss and you can get rid of fat stored in the body.

Weight Loss by Triphala

3. Blood Purification: Triphala churna helps in releasing the toxic and waste products from the body. It stimulates bile secretion and detoxifies the liver which in turn purifies the blood and improves blood circulation in the body.

4. Mental Health: The three fruits present in triphala provides a relaxing and enlightening effect on mind. 

When to take Triphala

1. Morning: Taking triphala in the morning, empty stomach, helps in reducing weight, burns unwanted fat from the body and stabilizes the blood sugar level. 

2. Night: If you have constipation, take triphala at night. Make sure you do not eat anything after taking triphala. 

How to take Triphala

Tiphala is available in two forms - Triphala Churna (powder) and Triphala Tablet. 

1. Morning: Soak one teaspoon of the triphala powder in two cups of water overnight. Boil it in the morning till it is reduced to half. Once it gets cooled down, filter it and add little lemon into it. Drink it on empty stomach. Take breakfast after 30-40 minutes of consuming it. This helps in weight loss and detoxification.

2. Night: Take half teaspoon of triphala powder with lukewarm water. If you do not want to taste the triphala because of its astringent taste, you can take it in form of tablet.

Other ways of using Triphala

1. Triphala tea: Boil half teaspoon of the Triphala powder in one cup of water. Add a teaspoon of honey to provide a sweet taste. Consuming triphala tea provides you a very relaxing effect.

Triphala Tea

2. Eyewash water: Triphala eyewash water helps in improving vision and reducing redness or any allergy in eyes. To make eyeswash water, there are two methods - 1. Soak one teaspoon of triphala powder in one cup of water overnight and filter it in the next morning. 2. In the morning, boil one teaspoon of triphala powder in two cups of water for 5 minutes. Let it cool and filter it. Use the sieved triphala water to wash the eyes. 

3. Skin cleanser: Mix triphala powder with little warm coconut oil or olive oil to make a paste. Apply this all over your face for 10 minutes and gently scrub it. Rinse it off with water. It removes the dead skin from your face and brings glow. 

4. Triphala jam: Mix 1 tablespoon of desi ghee, 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of triphala powder to make triphala jam.  Take this jam once a day either in morning or evening and this helps in rejuvenating the body cells.

5. Triphala toothpaste: Mix a pinch of triphala powder with lukewarm water to make a paste. Brusth your teeth with this paste and gently massage your gums. It removes all the toxins from your mouth.

6. Triphala hair wash: Boil 2 tablespoon of triphala with 5 cups of water for 10 minutes. Allow it to cool and then filter it.  Rinse your hair with triphala water slowly and massage your hair. Wait for sometime and then wash your hair normally. It removes dandruff from the scalp, improves shine of hair and helps in stopping premature greying of hair.  

Triphala hair wash

Side Effects of Triphala

Triphala is 100% natural and is safe for everyone. It is not recommended for pregnant women because of its laxative effect. Also avoid taking triphala in case of diarrhea.