How to take triphala

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.

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!

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!

Related reading

• What is an Ayurveda Diet?
• 5 Ayurvedic herbs you should have in your cupboard