Ayurvedic Herbs: Triphala

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Five-Prana_Ayurvedic-Herbs-Triphala

Ayurvedic Herbs

Ayurvedic herbs are one of the many chikitsas or treatments used in Ayurvedic medicine. These herbs are used as part of an herbal protocol recommended by an Ayurvedic professional. Thusly, all the Ayurvedic herbs should not be self-administered and Ayurvedic herbs should only be taken under-advisement of your Ayurvedic Counselor/Practitioner/Doctor and approved by your Primary Care Physician. The information on the Ayurvedic herb of Triphala is only meant to educate you on the ways in which it is traditionally used in Ayurveda and is presented for educational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for the diagnosis, treatment, or advice of a qualified, licensed medical professional. The facts presented are offered as information only, not medical advice, and in no way should anyone infer that we are practicing medicine. Seek the advice of a medical professional for proper application of this material to any specific situation. Do not use the information found within this post to self-diagnose any medical conditions or treat any health problems or diseases. The information provided is not intended to prescribe or be taken as medical advice. If you have or suspect that you have a medical condition please contact your health care provider immediately.

“The essence of all beings is Earth. The essence of Earth is Water. The essence of Water is plants. The essence of plants is the human being.

Esam bhutanam prthivi rasha, prthivya apo raso-pam osadhayo rasa, osadhinam puruso rasah.”
— Chandogya Upanishad I.1.2
Five-Prana_Ayurvedic-Herbs-Triphala

Triphala

  • Latin Name: Amalaki - Emblica officinalis - Fructus; Bibhitaki - Terminalia belerica; Haritaki - Terminalia chebula

  • Plant Family: Amalaki - Euphorbiaceae; Bibhitaki - Combreataceae; Haritaki - Combretaceae

  • English Name: Three fruits powder

  • Sanskrit Name: Triphala means “the three fruits powder”; it is made up of the three fruits: amalaki, bibhitaki, and haritaki

  • Part Used: fruit

  • Botanical Description: Amalaki - middle sized tree 8 to 10 meters high; bark is whitish and thin and its wood is strong and red; leaves are thin and small; flowers have stalks that are long and are small and yellow and flower in autumn; fruits are round and greenish yellow in color | Bibhitaki - tree is 16 to 32 meters high; the leaves are 8 to 16 centimeters in length; flowers are very small and yellow; fruits are round, brown and hairy | Haritaki - tree is 25-30 meters high and the wood is hard; leaves are pointed and have 6-8 pairs of veins; the flowers are white or yellow; the fruit starts green but once ripened it is yellowish brown, each fruit contains one seed

  • Taste (Rasa): sweet, sour, pungent, astringent

  • Energetics (Virya): cooling

  • Post-Digestive Effect (Vipaka): sweet

  • Quality (Guna): light, dry

  • Dosha: VPK=

  • Tissues (Dhatu): all plasma (rasa), blood (rakta), muscle (mamsa), fat/adipose tissue (meda), bone (asthi), nerve/bone marrow (majja), reproductive tissue (shukra [male]/artava [female])

  • Systems (Srotamsi): all channels especially the channels of elimination (purisha vaha srotas)

  • Constituents: tannins, alkaloids, sennoside, ascorbic acid (vitamin c), bioflavonoids, mucilage

  • Actions: tonic (general, reproductive, nervine), nutritive, rejuvenative, demulcent, antacid

  • Ayurvedic Actions: toxin digester (pacana); appetizer (dipana), rejuvenative (rasayana); mild laxative (anulomana); treats eye disorders (netrarogaghna); alleviates diabetes (pramehaghna)

  • Biomedical Actions: laxative, colon tonic, aperient, alterative, anti-inflammatory, carminative, expectorant, antioxidant, antimicrobial

  • Indications: digestion, lungs, skin, eyes, weight

  • Precautions: caution during pregnancy; Amalaki - acute diarrhea, dysentery, high Kapha and Ama; Bibhitaki - high Vata; Haritaki - pregnancy, dehydration, severe exhaustion or emaciation; in excess or high Pitta

Triphala is considered tridoshic or balancing to all dosha. Amalaki is the herb for pitta dosha, haritaki is the herb for vata dosha, and bibhitaki is the herb for kapha dosha. Triphala has an affinity for the digestive and elimination systems.

References

Frawley D. Yoga & Ayurveda: Self-Healing and Self-Realization. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press; 1999.

Frawley D, Lad V. The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine. Twin Lakes, Wisconsin: Lotus Press; 2001.

Gogte VM. Ayurvedic Pharmacology & Therapeutic Uses of Medicinal Plants: Dravyagunavignyam. New Delhi, India: Chaukhambha Publications; 2016.

Pole S. Ayurvedic Medicine: The Principles of Traditional Practice. Philadelphia, PA: Singing Dragon; 2013.