Triphala, as the name suggests, consists of three famous fruits widely found in the Indian subcontinent, namely, Bibhitaki, Amalaki and Haritaki. It has been in use for over 1000 years in the traditional medicinal practice of Ayurveda due to its healing properties. The extensive benefits of Triphala are the main reason behind its popular usage across the world.

Due to its combination of three fruits, it has cooling, warming, and grounding effects, hence helping to balance vata pitta kapha within the body. Continue reading the article to know more about Triphala and learn how your body can benefit from it.

Triphala is an old medicine broadly known for its numerous benefits. In India, they have been using Triphala for many years as a cure-all for good health and wellness. The benefits of Triphala are as follows:

1. Aids in weight loss

There are several studies that have proven Triphala to be extremely effective in weight loss. Thus, you can consume Triphala to effectively lose body fat, especially around the waist and hip area.

2. Offers protection against dental cavities

If your teeth are prone to cavities and have encountered gum inflammation, you can try Triphala. There are several evidences to support the fact that Triphala is highly effective in preventing plaque formation due to its anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties.

3. Treats certain digestive issues

Triphala has anti-diarrheal properties due to its laxative nature. Additionally, there are several other digestive issues that Triphala deals with, such as improved stool volume, decreased mucus level in stool and flatulence.

4. Provides relief from stress

One of the advantages of Triphala is that it provides relief from stress. These responses include lowering corticosterone levels and increasing lipid peroxidation.

5. Preserves heart health

Triphala actively takes part in reducing cholesterol levels in your body. This is essential as an increased cholesterol level in the vessels can lead to a blockage in blood flow in the heart capillaries, thus resulting in a heart attack.

6. Boosts immunity

Among several Triphala powder benefits, boosting the immunity of an individual is a prominent one. In addition to this, Triphala also takes part in removing toxins from your body and makes you overcome lethargy and become more active.

7. Protects against radioactivity

Triphala protects your skin against radioactivity if taken orally. To maximize its effect, try to consume Triphala before you get exposed to irradiation. This lowers DNA damage in WBCs and RBCs and normalizes the activity of different enzymes, such as xanthine oxidase, to a significant extent.

8. Protects the eyes

There is significant evidence proving that Triphala plays a key role in protecting your eyesight. You can consume Triphala if you are suffering from cataracts, night blindness, and near-sightedness.

9. Delays ageing

The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of Triphala provide relief against several dermatological problems. These include redness, acne and dry skin conditions. Additionally, the Amla present in Triphala acts as a source of vitamin C that removes dead skin cells and keeps your face glowing.

10. Provides relief from arthritis

Several significant uses of Triphala are due to its anti-inflammatory properties. Its anti-oxidising property has been proven to provide relief to patients suffering from joint pain and gout.

However, only knowing the health benefits of Triphala is not enough. You must also be aware of the different ways you can use Triphala to maximize its benefits.

11. Helps in Detoxification

Triphala is widely recognised for its curative characteristics in body detoxification by purifying the colon and expelling harmful substances. Therefore, it becomes a top-pick remedy for detoxifying the body.

12. Improves Skin Health

Triphala has powerful antioxidants that can help improve human skin by giving it a much better tone. Triphala also has antibacterial properties that help our skin target acne-causing bacteria and avoid acne.

13. Supports Respiratory Health

Triphala helps strengthen the respiratory system. It can also alleviate asthma symptoms, allergies, and respiratory infections. The natural lung support aids in facilitating easy breaths and general respiratory health.

14. Regulates Blood Sugar Levels

Some research suggests that Triphala helps lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Blood sugar levels could be regulated with it, and this comes in handy for individuals suffering from diabetes.

15. Enhances Hair Health

Triphala is a beautiful remedy for maintaining scalp health. It restores the pH balance of hair and scalp, helping keep your scalp squeaky clean, reducing dandruff, and maintaining the overall health of your scalp and hair.

16. Anti-inflammatory Properties

Triphala has anti-inflammatory properties that can help prevent gingivitis (gum inflammation). These properties in Triphala can also calm the redness and irritation of the skin, leading to much clearer and calmer skin.

Triphala can be turned into different forms to be consumed by the human body. You can use Triphala in the following ways to maximise its health benefits:

Capsule

You can take Triphala-infused capsules to enjoy their benefits. However, you must keep in mind that the dosage must not exceed 500 mg to 1g or 1 to 2 capsules twice a day b to keep safe from its side effects.

Juice

If you don’t want to consume Triphala in capsule form, you can simply mix Triphala powder with water and drink it as juice. You can drink this juice once or twice a day for effective results.  However, you must not consume it in excessive amounts.

Powder

You can mix Triphala powder with honey or ghee for a tasty twist on this Ayurvedic medicine. However, you must not exceed Triphala consumption from the given limit, that is, ½ to 2 teaspoons. You can easily purchase Triphala powder from physical stores or online at an affordable rate.

Oil

You can mix Triphala with oil to soothe skin irritations, enema and treat obesity.

You can start Triphala consumption from a smaller dose and gradually increase the dosage to check if your body shows any allergic reactions.

Now that you know the different ways of consuming Triphala, you must also be aware of its side effects.

Triphala has numerous health benefits for the body, and its secret lies in the composition of its nutrients. Below is a table showing the nutritional values of Triphala:

Triphala has many health benefits but also comes with its own set of side effects. The side effects of Triphala are as follows:

Abdominal Pain or Diarrhoea

If you consume Triphala in excess, there lies a high chance of abdominal discomfort or diarrhoea. Therefore, take recommended doses only and monitor the body's reaction to ensure the tolerability of such dosage.

Interaction with Medications

There are chances of the ineffectiveness of some medicines if you do not keep a check on your Triphala consumption. Before using it together with other treatments, always seek professional advice from a healthcare provider.

Chances of Miscarriage

Pregnant women must consume Triphala with caution to avoid miscarriage. Make sure that you adhere to safety precautions for your own benefit and that of your unborn baby; monitor for signs of change and if necessary seek help.

Excessive Blood Loss

If you are suffering from bleeding disorders, you must avoid consuming Triphala to prevent excess blood loss. This supplement might make one's bleeding problem worse. Let your medical provider know about your condition before using Triphala.

Administering to Children

You must carefully administer Triphala consumption in children as there is not much evidence in support of its safety. Ask a healthcare professional before starting on Triphala for children. Observe for any side effects and modify as necessary.

Allergic Reactions

Just like with any natural product, there is a slight chance of experiencing an allergic reaction to Triphala. If any allergic symptoms occur, such as skin rashes, itching, or difficulty breathing, immediate medical attention should be sought.

Possible Dehydration

Triphala has a slightly purgative action, but it can sometimes cause dehydration if fluids are not taken adequately. Such signs include dry mouth, dizziness or a decrease in the urine output from the body.

Nausea and Vomiting

Triphala may, at some times, lead to nausea or even vomiting, especially when used excessively or on empty stomachs. This field could be improved by adjusting the dosage to the right amount or taking it with food.

Electrolyte Imbalance

Excessive consumption of Triphala can lead to electrolyte imbalances because of its laxative properties. These symptoms may include muscle cramps, irregular heartbeat, and weakness in the body.

​​Gastrointestinal Distress

In addition to abdominal pain and diarrhoea, Triphala could also result in other gastrointestinal problems, such as bloating or gas if the dosage is too high or if one's body is not used to it. 

Even though Triphala aids the human body in various ways, it can have adverse effects on us. Given below are certain precautionary measures that you can adopt to prevent the side effects of Triphala:

Triphala can have unwanted effects and changes in the body. Therefore, the following people must avoid Triphala consumption completely

People with Low Blood Pressure

It might worsen hypotension conditions when used, as Triphala lowers blood pressure. If you take it, this will result in lightheadedness, syncope, or asthenia. These adverse effects can be prevented by anyone with low blood pressure by refraining from using Triphala.

Pregnant Women

The risk of Triphala causing contractions is not good for pregnancy. Dehydration due to excessive laxative actions also deprives one of body fluids, leading to electrolyte imbalance. Pregnant women should stay away from Triphala.

Individuals Suffering from Dysentery

Triphala is a powerful laxative that can further irritate the digestive system. Diarrhoea and abdominal pain might increase with it, thereby worsening the dysentery condition. People with dysentery should not use this drug because it could make their condition worse.

People Suffering from Cough and Cold

A patient may experience an upsurge in coughing due to increased mucus from the consumption of Triphala. This occurs with other respiratory symptoms whose state might get out of hand when subjected to dehydration caused by its laxative effect.

People Having Digestive Problems

In chronic cases, it is not a favourable option for people who have peptic ulcers and severe gastritis because it can make the condition worse by causing excessive irritation within the digestive tract of the body.

Herbal Supplement Allergy

Triphala may induce hypersensitivity reactions in some people, resulting in symptoms like rash, itching, or gut problems. For example, if a person has an allergy to herbal supplements, such a person should refrain from using Triphala.

People on Blood Thinners

There is a chance that Triphala may interfere with blood thinners, thereby increasing bleeding risks. Patients taking anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs must not consume Triphala to decrease the chances of experiencing undesired hemorrhagic complications.

Triphala has a wide range of benefits for the human body and can be consumed in various forms. Therefore, you can easily incorporate this Ayurvedic mixture into your daily diet to enjoy the vast array of benefits of Triphala. However, if you observe any side effects of the same, you must stop its consumption immediately and consult a doctor for proper guidance.