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How to take triphala

How to take triphala

Team ErbologyErbology

As one of the most important herbal preparations in the Ayurvedic tradition, practitioners believe triphala offers us a bounty of potential health benefits. Yet to harness these, we first need to know exactly how to take triphala. This article goes into more detail about what triphala is and how it can boost wellbeing. We’ll then explain the most effective ways to use it. By the end, you should be ready to enjoy the advantages of this potent polyherbal remedy for yourself!

April 11, 2023 6:49 pm

Triphala: the tremendous trio

Triphala is a polyherbal remedy commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine, an ancient healthcare system that originated in India. People have been using it for generations to promote longevity and stave off disease. Practitioners recommend triphala for everything from treating gastrointestinal issues to improving dental health. And today, modern research is finding evidence to back up these claims.

Before talking about how to take triphala and its benefits, let’s look more closely at what the remedy actually is. The word triphala literally means ‘three fruits’ in Sanskrit. As you might expect, it consists of the dried fruit of three different medicinal plants that are native to India:

  • Amla (Indian gooseberry)
  • Bibhitaki
  • Haritaki

Amla is a sour-tasting berry that’s high in vitamin C and antioxidants, which may additionally possess anti-cancer properties. Meanwhile, fruit from the bibhitaki tree works as a potent anti-inflammatory and can have beneficial effects on blood sugar levels. Finally, haritaki also has powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, plus is a popular treatment for improving gastrointestinal health.

Ayurveda believes that combining several herbs in the appropriate ratio can make them more effective therapeutically. So, while each of these fruits offers its own health benefits, together they become greater than the sum of their parts. The result is a potent powder with a bitter taste and multitude of potential positive effects on wellness.

Ayurvedic medicine classifies triphala as a ‘tridoshic rasayana’.(1) This means that it is appropriate for all three ‘doshas’, or energy types, and acts as a rejuvenator. Practitioners believe that a rasayana is particularly beneficial for strength and immunity.

With the introduction out of the way, let’s investigate what science has to say about how triphala could benefit your wellbeing. Then we’ll move on to the details of how to take triphala.

organic triphala

The health benefits of triphala

Evidence is emerging which suggests triphala may have multiple potential benefits for our health. To begin with, like its constituent ingredients, triphala has potent anti-inflammatory properties. This helps to protect us against numerous chronic conditions, such as heart disease and arthritis.(2)

Moreover, triphala contains a number of powerful plant compounds which act as antioxidants. These include tannins, ellagic acid, gallic acid, and chebulinic acid. Antioxidants help to defend your cells against damage from free radicals, which experts have linked to a range of diseases. Interestingly, these compounds may also explain why triphala demonstrates some cancer-fighting properties.(3) However, further research is required to clarify the effectiveness of triphala in this regard.

Another reason you might want to know how to take triphala is to benefit from its potential to help with fat loss. Studies indicate that the herbal remedy could assist with losing weight and the treatment of obesity.(4) As an adaptogen, triphala may additionally enable the mind and body to deal with stress more effectively.(1)

One of the most well-known benefits of triphala is that it has a positive impact on the digestive system. It does so in several ways. Firstly, it has a mild laxative effect that can help to treat constipation.(5) In addition, triphala may encourage the growth of good bacteria in the gut while simultaneously inhibiting the growth of unwanted microbes.(1) Research also shows that the herbal remedy might be useful in easing the symptoms of IBS.(6)

Lastly, triphala may be beneficial for dental health. Studies suggest that using the herbal remedy in a mouthwash could work to reduce plaque build-up and gum inflammation.(7) This is thanks to its natural antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. So, the best option for how to take triphala depends on what benefits you’re hoping to gain!

spiced latte ingredients

How to take triphala

There are many different options for how to take triphala, including tablets, capsules, tinctures, and powders. Personally, we recommend using triphala in a powder form. There are several reasons for this.

Firstly, powder is one of the most versatile options available. As mentioned above, the best technique for how to take triphala depends on what you want to use it for. Powder gives you the flexibility to utilise the same product in multiple ways. We’ll talk about how to do so in more depth below. However, as a quick overview, powder can be mixed with anything from food and drink to mouthwashes and lotions. This means that whatever benefits you’re hoping to obtain from triphala, powder offers a method that will suit your needs.

Secondly, it’s not always clear exactly what’s in tablets and capsules of triphala or other herbal remedies. Some suppliers may mix in bulking agents that reduce the potency of the plants. In addition, companies often make capsules with gelatine and other animal-derived ingredients. As such, they’re not suitable for those on a strict plant-based diet.

Now that you know why it’s the preferable option, it’s time to discuss how to take triphala in powder form. We think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how easy and versatile it is!

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“From crafting a traditional moon milk to adding it to smoothies or making your own mouthwash, there are plenty of options for how to take triphala.”

How to take triphala powder

The traditional option for how to take triphala powder is to mix a teaspoon of it into warm water. However, while this may be simple, the drink does have quite a strong, astringent taste. As such, many people prefer to modify the flavour with additional natural ingredients. Lemon and ginger are both good choices, or you can sweeten it with honey or agave nectar.

Alternatively, try mixing triphala powder into warm milk. Again, if you find the taste overpowering, you can enhance the beverage with other ingredients. One of our favourite recipes for how to take triphala is moon milk. This uses cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves to create a comforting and soothing drink that’s perfect before bed.

For a more modern option, stir triphala powder into your morning smoothie. The fruity flavour will balance out the bitterness of the herbal remedy, leaving you with a delicious and wellness-boosting beverage.

Thanks to the versatility of powder, you’re not limited to just drinks when it comes to how to take triphala. As an example, you might like to mix a teaspoon into savoury dishes such as soups and stews. This masks and even complements triphala’s astringency. However, bear in mind that people recommend taking the herbal remedy on an empty stomach. As such, it’s best to use it in small snacks rather than large meals.

Finally, there’s a different method for how to take triphala if you want to harness its dental benefits. You’re able to create your own triphala mouthwash by making triphala tea, then straining it and allowing it to cool. Swish the resulting liquid around your mouth like you would a normal mouthwash, then spit it out. It might not have the same minty freshness, but it can do wonders for your oral health!

spiced latte recipe

When to take triphala

There is no general consensus on the best time to take triphala. This means you have some flexibility to fit it into your lifestyle in a way that suits you. Having said that, as mentioned above, for maximum absorption it’s preferable to take triphala on an empty stomach. This could be in the morning, in between meals, or at night.

The other factor to consider is your method of how to take triphala. For instance, you might be using it in a mouthwash to benefit your dental health. If so, you can do so after brushing your teeth in the morning and evening like other types of mouthwash.

Triphala dosage

Just like with the best time to take triphala, there is no established guideline about how much triphala to take. Therefore, the most useful advice is to follow the instructions on your chosen triphala product. For example, we recommend taking half a teaspoon of our organic triphala powder up to twice a day. This is true no matter which option you choose for how to take triphala.

Safe usage and side effects

Practitioners of Ayurveda have been using triphala for hundreds of years, and it’s generally considered safe for most people. However, there are a few points to consider, regardless of which method you pick for how to take triphala.

Firstly, if you are currently on any form of medication, then you should speak to a doctor before taking triphala. The reason for this is that the herbal remedy may interact with certain drugs or make them less effective. This is particularly true for medications which are processed by liver enzymes known as cytochrome P450 (CYP450). That’s because these enzymes also process triphala.

Similarly, if you have an existing health condition of any kind, then seek medical advice before taking Ayurvedic medicine.

Finally, experts recommend that children and people who are pregnant or breastfeeding should not take triphala. This is simply because we don’t have enough evidence to determine if the herbal remedy is safe for these groups.

Moving on to potential triphala side effects, there are one or two to be aware of. As a natural laxative, it’s possible for triphala to cause stomach upset, diarrhoea, gas, or abdominal discomfort. This is especially true if you ingest it in large doses. The best advice is to begin by taking a small amount and build up over time to the recommended dosage. And of course, if you experience any unwanted side effects, stop consuming triphala immediately.

amla tree

The importance of quality in triphala

How to take triphala is not the only question to be asking. It’s also important to know where your triphala is from, and what’s in it. After all, you want to be confident about what you’re putting into your body.

Like all Ayurvedic herbal preparations, quality is key when it comes to triphala. As such, it’s crucial that you source yours from a company that you can trust. Unfortunately, studies have found that some Ayurvedic supplements contain heavy metals such as lead and mercury. These don’t appear on the label, and are dangerous to your health in large amounts.

Here at Erbology, we take every possible step to ensure that our organic triphala powder is of the highest quality. We source all three fruits from organic farms in different regions of India. Once harvested, farmers sun-dry the amla, bibhitaki and haritaki in small batches before grinding them into a fine powder. Our team packs the triphala in environmentally friendly amber glass jars, which you can reuse or recycle once they’re empty.

We don’t use any preservatives or other additives, so you can rest assured that what you’re getting is 100% pure triphala. Consequently, whichever option you choose for how to take triphala, you should be able to enjoy optimum results.

The final word on how to take triphala

As you can see, there are plenty of options open to you when it comes to how to take triphala. This is particularly true when you’re using it in its powder form. The best method will depend on factors like personal preference and the specific benefit you’re hoping to gain. The key is to choose a high-quality product, then find a way of harnessing it that works for you. After all, consistency is important if you want to get the maximum results.

So, feel free to experiment with a few different ideas for how to take triphala. From crafting a traditional moon milk to adding it to a smoothie or even making your own mouthwash, you’re sure to find at least one that suits you!

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