Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
Triphala is a famous Ayurvedic formulation comprising the fruit pulp of Haritaki, Bibhitaki, and Amalaki. It balances Vata, Pitta, and Kapha doshas and acts as a powerful Rasayana or rejuvenator. Known for its digestive and laxative properties, it effectively treats constipation and stimulates appetite. Therapeutically, it is highly valued for curing eye diseases like cataracts, managing diabetes, and reducing obesity. It also treats skin disorders and purifies the blood. The recommended dosage is 3 to 6 grams, often taken with vehicles like warm water, ghee, or honey to support vision and longevity.
Triphala (Sanskrit: Tri = three, Phala = fruits) is perhaps the most famous and widely used polyherbal formulation in Ayurveda. It is not a single plant but a balanced blend of three specific fruits native to India: Haritaki, Bibhitaki, and Amalaki. In Ayurveda, it is revered as a Tridosha-shamaka (balancer of all three biological energies: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) and a powerful Rasayana (rejuvenator). It is unique because it cleanses the body (detoxification) while simultaneously strengthening it (nourishment), a dual action rarely found in modern laxatives.
Triphala is a traditional Ayurvedic herbal formulation consisting of the dried pericarp (fruit rind) of three myrobalans. It is highly valued for its ability to gently cleanse the digestive tract without depleting the body's reserves. In Ayurvedic texts like Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita, it is described as a "scraping" agent (Lekhaniya) that removes toxins (Ama) and fat (Medas), while also acting as a tonic for the eyes (Cakṣuṣya) and hair (Keśya). It is considered safe for long-term use when taken in appropriate dosages.
According to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and Dravyaguna Vijnana:
Triphala is indicated in Ayurveda for a wide range of conditions:
(General guidance based on Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India):
Triphala is generally considered safe for long-term use in adults when taken in recommended doses. It is unique in that it purifies the body without depleting its strength (Balya). However, prolonged use in very high doses without professional advice may cause dryness.
Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) – Triphala Churna
https://pcimh.gov.in
WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants
https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/42052
WHO Global Report on Traditional and Complementary Medicine
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241515436
PubMed – Triphala Research Articles
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Triphala
ScienceDirect – Triphala Phytochemistry & Pharmacology
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/triphala
SpringerLink – Clinical Studies on Triphala
https://link.springer.com
Wiley Online Library – Triphala Research
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.
** **Q. Can it be taken daily?
Yes, in appropriate doses, Triphala is traditionally used as a daily Rasayana (tonic) to maintain digestive health and eyesight.
Q. When should it be taken?
For laxative/cleansing purposes, it is best taken at night before bed with warm water. For rejuvenation or eye health, it is often taken in the morning with honey or ghee.
Q. Can it be taken with milk/water?
Yes. Warm water is the most common vehicle for digestion and cleansing. It can also be taken with ghee and honey (in unequal quantities) for general strengthening and eye health.
Written By
Sathyaprek
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
27 Sep 2022 • 06:23 PM (IST)
Read Our Editorial Policy
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Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
Triphala is a famous Ayurvedic formulation comprising the fruit pulp of Haritaki, Bibhitaki, and Amalaki. It balances Vata, Pitta, and Kapha doshas and acts as a powerful Rasayana or rejuvenator. Known for its digestive and laxative properties, it effectively treats constipation and stimulates appetite. Therapeutically, it is highly valued for curing eye diseases like cataracts, managing diabetes, and reducing obesity. It also treats skin disorders and purifies the blood. The recommended dosage is 3 to 6 grams, often taken with vehicles like warm water, ghee, or honey to support vision and longevity.
Triphala (Sanskrit: Tri = three, Phala = fruits) is perhaps the most famous and widely used polyherbal formulation in Ayurveda. It is not a single plant but a balanced blend of three specific fruits native to India: Haritaki, Bibhitaki, and Amalaki. In Ayurveda, it is revered as a Tridosha-shamaka (balancer of all three biological energies: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha) and a powerful Rasayana (rejuvenator). It is unique because it cleanses the body (detoxification) while simultaneously strengthening it (nourishment), a dual action rarely found in modern laxatives.
Triphala is a traditional Ayurvedic herbal formulation consisting of the dried pericarp (fruit rind) of three myrobalans. It is highly valued for its ability to gently cleanse the digestive tract without depleting the body's reserves. In Ayurvedic texts like Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita, it is described as a "scraping" agent (Lekhaniya) that removes toxins (Ama) and fat (Medas), while also acting as a tonic for the eyes (Cakṣuṣya) and hair (Keśya). It is considered safe for long-term use when taken in appropriate dosages.
According to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and Dravyaguna Vijnana:
Triphala is indicated in Ayurveda for a wide range of conditions:
(General guidance based on Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India):
Triphala is generally considered safe for long-term use in adults when taken in recommended doses. It is unique in that it purifies the body without depleting its strength (Balya). However, prolonged use in very high doses without professional advice may cause dryness.
Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) – Triphala Churna
https://pcimh.gov.in
WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants
https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/42052
WHO Global Report on Traditional and Complementary Medicine
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241515436
PubMed – Triphala Research Articles
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Triphala
ScienceDirect – Triphala Phytochemistry & Pharmacology
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/triphala
SpringerLink – Clinical Studies on Triphala
https://link.springer.com
Wiley Online Library – Triphala Research
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.
** **Q. Can it be taken daily?
Yes, in appropriate doses, Triphala is traditionally used as a daily Rasayana (tonic) to maintain digestive health and eyesight.
Q. When should it be taken?
For laxative/cleansing purposes, it is best taken at night before bed with warm water. For rejuvenation or eye health, it is often taken in the morning with honey or ghee.
Q. Can it be taken with milk/water?
Yes. Warm water is the most common vehicle for digestion and cleansing. It can also be taken with ghee and honey (in unequal quantities) for general strengthening and eye health.
Written By
Sathyaprek
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
27 Sep 2022 • 06:23 PM (IST)
Read Our Editorial Policy
Want to know more?
Have issue with the content?
Report Problem