"When in doubt, take Triphala" Ayurvedic Proverb
Triphala powder is the most commonly and widely prescribed Ayurvedic compound in the world. It's name means The Three Fruits. True to its name,Triphala powder is comprised of three medicinal fruits, the Amalaki, Bibhitaki, and the Haritaki. Each of these fruits have been used for their medicinal value since ancient times, but the combination of the three makes for a powerful tonic, and it is said that the combination is more effective than the sum of its parts. There are ancient depictions of the Buddha, a well known proponent of Ayurveda medicine, holding a large pear shaped fruit. This fruit is the haritaki, just one of these 3 amazing fruits.
Triphala is known as a cleanser, it has antiviral, and anti-carcinogenic, and ant-inflammatory properties. It also has nutritional value. The known benefits of this preparation are too numerous for me to detail here, and new benefits are regularly being investigated. India has a developed system of natural medicine that has evolved over thousands of years. This country also has a lot of scientists, some of which are exploring Ayurvedic medicines in the laboratory. Below I will discus some of the traditional beliefs about what Triphala can do, and some new things discovered by researchers.
It's a Cleanser
Ayurveda considers the build up of toxic materials in the body to be like a sticky slug that penetrates the tissues of the body. This toxic substance is known as Ama. It is cold and heavy, stops fluids from flowing properly, interferes with elimination, and hampers digestion. One accumulates ama from wrong dietary habits, poor sleep, and general improper habits in daily life, especially in reference to one's body type.
The elimination of toxins is a hot topic, and a selling point for many products in the West. One could package up any herb on the planet and label it "detox tea" and it would sell. Some of my science minded friends have stated that this is all a scam to sell products to people who don't understand that the body naturally detoxifies itself. True, but the point is that anything that assists in the body in the process of eliminating toxins can be considered a cleanser. This brings us to the next topic, Triphala's ability to help the body with elimination.
Laxative
Triphala is a laxative, it is a bulking agent just like psyllium husk, otherwise know as its brand name Metamucil. This means that it helps to push waste through the colon rather than causing diarrhea. It may affect different people differently, so it is a good idea to start with a small dose at first and gradually build up over the course of a few days, otherwise some people can experience gas and bloating. Typically, once you are used to it, Triphala should not cause these symptoms and taken daily it will keep a person regular without gastric distress. In fact Triphala can help with many gastric issues and generally aids in proper digestion.
Digestion
Proper elimination is the product of proper digestion. Ayurveda views proper digestion to be the very fulcrum that health revolves around, and poor digestion is generally viewed as the root of disease. Different body types have different digestive abilities, and require different diets. Unlike the popular western view that there is some diet out there that is good for everyone, Ayurveda states than a healthy diet for one person may be unhealthy for another. What ever the case, Triphala is believed to aid in the digestive process, and is often taken in hot water after a meal to facilitate in the digestive process. Another interesting fact is that it can be heated without destroying its vitamin C content, which is quite rare with naturally occurring substances. This brings us to the next subject, its vitamin C content.
Vitamin C
We all know that vitamin C is good for many things, and if we don't have it we can develop bad skin, a weakened immune system, and even conditions like scurvy. Fortunately, vitamin C deficiency is not very common in developed countries these days, but it is a good idea to be proactive about getting it. One of the three fruits in Triphala, the amla fruit, contains vitamin C in a fibrous matrix that actually makes it heat stable, so triphala is often taken in the form of a hot tea. Hot liquid is also believed to stimulate digestion, and cold liquid believed to slow it down. One amla berry contains many times the vitamin C of an orange. I do warn you that it does not taste very nice, so you might want to be creative about flavoring it if you are going to drink it in hot water.
Weight Loss
Triphala powder has been traditionally used for weight loss in Ayurvedic medicine, and modern research has suggested that this claim may be true, especially when it is combined with Guggulu, a sappy substance used with many Ayurvedic medicines. It is believed that Triphala helps to purity toxins, Ama, trapped in the fat and Guggulu helps to flush or "scrape" it out. How ever this actually works in modern terms is not really known but there is some some scientific studies have shown it may really help with weight reduction.
Protects Liver
In addition to cleansing the fat tissues, Triphala is believed to protect the liver by cleansing the blood and stimulating the flow of bile. It is commonly used to protect a healthy liver and address fatty liver issues. The fact that it is a powerful anti-inflammatory may also help with an inflamed liver.
Anti-inflammatory
The anti-inflammatory effects of Triphala are well known. It is often used to treat heart disease and issues like hepatitis. It contains a high amount of anti-oxidants and therefore rids the body of free radicals that cause inflammation. It is even more effective in this respect when combined with Guggulu, mentioned above.
Anti-carcinogen
Triphala is believed to help fight cancer and target cancer cells directly. It is sometimes used along with conventional cancer treatment but due to its ability to cleans the body of toxic material, it should not be used during chemotherapy. It is often prescribed by Ayurvedic physicians after chemotherapy to help cleans the system of toxic chemo effects. Triphala powder has even been shown to protect laboratory rats from gamma radiation.
Skin, Hair, and Teeth
In addition to all of things mentioned, Triphala is often included in many Ayurvedic skin and hair care products. It is known to nourish and strengthen hair follicles and foster healthy shiny hair. It also promotes smooth clear skin. Triphala is also known to help fight gum disease, it is included in many Ayurvedic tooth pastes and powders. With all its properties, most people will benefit from taking Triphala powder. If you have any condition that may be of some concern with taking Triphala, talk to your doctor about it.
Buying supplements from a company that not only tests for quality, but also 3rd party tests to assure that the supplement you are buying has what it claims to have in it, is very important. There is no law in the U.S.A. against advertising supplements falsely. Studies have shown that many supplements sold in America have little to non of the things in them advertised on the label, so always look for 3rd party tested supplements.
Banyan Botanicals is a U.S. company I trust, that does 3rd party testing, and you can purchase their Triphala powder here:
Banyan also has Tablets
#livingbanyancreator, @banyanbotanicals, #livingbanyan, #partnership
I could also go with Himalaya: