Triphala - applications and effects

Triphala - applications and effects / Naturopathy

Triphala Healthy Medicine

In traditional Indian medicine, Triphala, a tri-fruit herbal blend, has been used for centuries to preserve and promote good health. For example, the powder of the tri-fruit is a proven rejuvenating agent and should also improve digestion, metabolism and immune functions. In this post you will find information on which ingredients make Triphala a remedy and how to best apply the herbal blend.


contents

  • Triphala Healthy Medicine
  • Characteristics of the tri-fruit
  • Herbal Portrait: The Power of Three Ayurvedic Herbs
  • Ingredients and effect
  • Effective ingredients from Triphala at a glance
  • Application and dosage
  • Side effects and counterindications
  • Studies on the effect of Triphala
  • Products from Triphala
  • Conclusion

Characteristics of the tri-fruit

Scientific name: Triphala
Main Ingredients: Tannins, Vitamin C, Antioxidants.
Application areas:

  • Gastrointestinal complaints
  • Metabolic disorders
  • immunodeficiency
Three dry fruits, which together make up Triphala. (Image: Arundhati / fotolia.com)

Herbal Portrait: The Power of Three Ayurvedic Herbs

Triphala is not a medicinal plant in the true sense. Rather, behind the name hides a herbal mixture, consisting of the following fruits of the amla tree (Phyllanthus) and the myrobalane (Terminalia):

  • Amalaki (Phyllanthus emblica),
  • Bibhitaki (Terminalia belerica)
  • and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula).

The fruit trio is unmistakably responsible for the name of Triphala. He comes from Sanskrit and is made up of the words tri for "three" as well phala for "fruits" together. The German name "Dreifrucht" is therefore self-explanatory.

In Indian Ayurveda Ayurveda Triphala is one of the best known and sometimes oldest remedies. Since Ayurveda is primarily aimed at the holistic preservation of body health, Triphala is taken not only in case of existing underlying disease, but also preventively by healthy persons. According to the Ayurvedic art of healing, the human remains healthy only when the three forces (doshas)

  • Vata (air),
  • Kapha (earth and water)
  • as well as Pitta (fire and water)

permanently in harmony.

The principle of Ayurveda is the balance of the three doshas. (Image: BillionPhotos.com /fotolia.com)

Accordingly, each fruit ingredient of Triphala stands for one of the three doshas, ​​with the herb mixture in particular the

  • regeneration,
  • invigoration,
  • cellular rejuvenation,
  • cell strengthening,
  • Enhancement,
  • Metabolic improvement,
  • colon cleansing,
  • digestion
  • and drainage serves.

Ingredients and effect

The effect of the three fruits contained in Triphala is explained in the area of ​​Ayurveda on the basis of the three doshas already mentioned. From this special assignment to the ayurvedic elements ultimately results in the reputed effect of Triphala, with some effect can be quite explain using existing ingredients.

Indian gooseberries Amalaki as green fruits. (Image: mirzamlk /fotolia.com)

Amalaki stimulates the metabolism and protects the skin

Amalaki is also called "Indian gooseberry" and symbolizes the so-called Pitta, the Dosha of fire. The Ayurvedic medicine mainly causes metabolic disorders and problems in the heat balance of the body on an imbalance of this doshas.

Amalaki now has an extremely high content of vitamin C and antioxidants, which benefits the metabolism. Overall, the fruit is due to their ingredients as a rejuvenating agent, because they work

  • vascular and cell protecting,
  • astringent (astringent),
  • stimulates metabolism,
  • organ strengthening
  • and bone-strengthening.

In addition, the ingredients of Amalaki bind stomach acid, which improves the absorption of basic minerals in the digestive tract. The skin also benefits from the cell-protecting and astringent effects of Amalaki. The fruit is used

  • stomach problems,
  • mineral deficiency,
  • Metabolic disorders,
  • liver detoxification,
  • skin care,
  • Strengthening the immune system against infection, inflammation and fever diseases
  • and improving cell regeneration in any body tissue.
One application of Triphala is the respiratory tract. (Image: Dmitry_Tkachev /fotolia.com)

Bibhitaki to strengthen the airways, eyes and heart

Bibhitaki is associated in Ayurveda with the dosha of earth and water, Kapha. Respiratory diseases, as well as various eye and blood diseases are attributed to this ayurvedic understanding just this Dosha. Bibhitaki is referred to in this context

  • respiratory-cleaning,
  • reassuring,
  • strengthening the immune system
  • and hemostatic

described and primarily against diseases such

  • asthma,
  • bronchitis,
  • lung infection,
  • Throat and pharyngitis,
  • to cough,
  • high blood pressure,
  • elevated cholesterol levels
  • and ophthalmia used.

In addition, Bibhitaki is considered a natural laxative (laxative), which is why it should also help with digestive problems and in the detoxification and purification.

A fruit that later becomes part of the Triphala - Haritaki. (Image: Swapan / fotolia.com)

Haritaki for digestion and brain

Even better on the digestive tract affects the related to Bibhitaki Haritaki fruit. It stands for the Dosha Vatta symbolizing air and water. According to the Ayurvedic view, imbalances in the Vatta are more likely to affect the gastrointestinal tract, with some Haritaki ascribing an effect that promotes digestion, much like breast milk in infants.

In fact, the fruit is one of the best natural laxatives because Haritaki works

  • carminative,
  • laxative,
  • purifying
  • and fortifying.

Because of these properties, the fruit is especially at

  • Gastrointestinal complaints,
  • inflammatory bowel disease,
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome,
  • Purification and detoxification cures

applied. However, Haritaki should also have a strengthening effect on the brain and heart, so that the application for the promotion of brain and memory functions and to strengthen the heart and vessels is common.

Triphala is often used for problems in the digestive tract. (Image: ALDECAstudio /fotolia.com)

Trivia: In many depictions Buddha holds a Haritaki fruit in his hands. This symbolizes that Haritaki is recommended by the top scholars of Indian writing.

Effective ingredients from Triphala at a glance

  • vitamin C
    stimulates the metabolism, strengthens the immune system and the organs.
  • antioxidants
    have a purifying, astringent, vascular and cell protective, hemostatic, immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory and detoxifying properties.
  • Laxative
    have digestive, laxative, detoxifying and purifying properties.

Application and dosage

Usually the application of the tri-fruit is relatively easy. However, prior to a cure or prolonged detox with Triphala, it is recommended to consult with an ayurvedic expert. Since the herbal mixture has a strong laxative effect, a sustained overdose could result in extreme nutrient loss. Otherwise, it is sufficient to follow the following dosage instructions for Triphala:

Tea from Triphala powder

The herb mix Triphala is made by grinding the three fruits contained in it. The resulting Triphala powder is ideal for the preparation of a salubrious triphalate for the treatment of digestive or respiratory problems.
Preparation of Triphala Powder as Tea: Half a teaspoon of Triphala powder
is stirred into 150 to 200 milliliters of boiling water and then cooled.

If you find the taste of Triphalatee too strong, you can refine it with honey and lemon. (Image: ddukang / fotolia.com)

Tip: It is recommended that you drink this tea once in the morning on an empty stomach, immediately after getting up, and once in the evening before going to bed. If the taste of Triphala is too dominant, some honey and lemon can be added.

Triphala in capsule or tablet form

Triphala capsules and tablets also contain the powder of the tri-fruit. The capsules are usually encased in vegetable cellulose, whereas tablets contain the Triphala powder in compressed form.

Both are recommended for severe respiratory or digestive diseases as well as in situations where the preparation of Triphalatee is too costly (for example when traveling). Even people who do not like the taste of Triphalatee, the preparations offer a good alternative.

It is recommended to take Triphala powder capsules and tablets with enough lukewarm water. Ingestion with meals is generally not recommended.

Triphala paste for skin problems

Relatively unknown is the use of Triphala as a paste for skin problems or minor wounds. The paste can be prepared relatively easily from the powder of the tri-fruit:

  • Take two teaspoons of Triphala powder,
  • mix it with a little water and
  • stir it until a smooth paste has formed.
  • The paste is applied to the affected skin area three times a day.

The anti-inflammatory, cell-protecting and immune-boosting antioxidants in Triphala, the paste can be used to assist in wound healing, but also to soothe the skin in irritation.

Triphala can be drunk as a tea or in the form of capsules or tablets. (Image: Bits and Splits /fotolia.com)

Side effects and counterindications

There are no known interactions between drugs and Triphala. Only people who take blood-thinning medications or psychotropic drugs such as antidepressants, should seek the conversation with a doctor before taking. An overdose can lead to the loss of minerals or dehydration because of the laxative effect.

During pregnancy and lactation should be completely dispensed with the consumption of Triphala. In the course of pregnancy, the laxatives in the tri-fruit mix could provoke premature labor. In turn, during breastfeeding, the trihydrate ingredients enter breast milk, which could potentially trigger unforeseen side effects such as bloating or diarrhea.

If you experience an allergic reaction while taking Triphala, such as:

  • difficulty breathing,
  • Swelling of the tongue or in the mouth,
  • itching,
  • Redness of the skin
  • or rash on the skin

the remedy should be discontinued immediately and possibly a conversation with the family doctor necessary.

Triphala is a true all-round genius because of its many applications. (Image: Arundhati / fotolia.com)

Studies on the effect of Triphala

Much lauded miracles and rejuvenators are often a disappointment when it comes to the actual application. Not so with Triphala. The herbal mixture has been studied in great detail, with sometimes fascinating results.

  • For example, an Indian study demonstrated the skin-protective function of the tri-fruit. That Triphala provides for accelerated wound healing, could be detected in another Indian study.
  • A Japanese study on the effect of Triphala on digestion and metabolism explains in detail how the herbal mixture can positively influence a number of systemic functions. Even the anti-inflammatory and blood-purifying effects of Triphala are confirmed here.
  • Even the immune boosting effect of Triphala was demonstrated by another study. It therefore seems that the herbal mixture is not without reason among the most significant remedies of Ayurvedic medicine.
  • The ingredients of Triphala have an anti-cancer effect, which is why the herbal mixture has been the subject of cancer research for several years.

Products from Triphala

You can buy Triphala especially in trade or online trading. You should pay attention here to a good organic quality, because the processed into powder fruits should be ripened without chemical pretreatment.

Conclusion

Triphala is a proven, Ayurvedic remedy from Indian medicine. It combines the healing and health-promoting effects of three important fruits that give Triphala an immune-boosting, digestive, metabolism-stimulating and even skin-protecting function. What has been considered an effective means of rejuvenation in India for centuries is gradually becoming more popular with us as well. For a good reason, because the healing effect of the all-round talent of Ayurveda philosophy has long been medically proven. (Ma)