Triphala – An Amazing Herbal Formula
TRIPHALA – An Amazing Herbal Formula
Triphala is amazing. It’s the most popular, widely known and used Ayurvedic herbal formula. And for many good reasons.
Triphala, and herbal combination of three dried fruits, is balancing and suitable for everyone. Considered “tri-doshic” or recommended to support all three doshas, triphala is one of the very few herbs that can be taken by nearly anyone for an extended period of time without negative side effects or harmful results. Overtime, it brings purification, nourishment and longevity.
The three fruits: amalaki, bibhitahki, and haritaki, each specifically impact the doshic energies in a unique way.
- Amalaki works with pitta. It’s one of the strongest rejuvenate medicines available. It particularly supports the blood, bones, liver and heart. It cleanses the mouth, strengthens the teeth, nourishes the bones and causes hair and nails to grow. It helps to cleanse excess pitta – heat, bile, acidity, and inflammation from the GI tract to improve digestive ability, reduce heartburn, loose stools, or sharp hunger. It’s also a rich source of antioxidants and the most potent source of vitamin C from any natural food or herb.
- Bibhitaki pairs with kapha, reducing excess accumulations in the lungs, throat and sinuses and removes build-up or stones from the urinary, digestive and respiratory tract. It also expels parasites, tones the stomach and increases appetite. It helps to rejuvenate the plasma, muscles, and bones.
- Haritaki is incredibly beneficial to vata, working mainly on the colon and reducing gas, bloating, constipation, and abdominal pain. It also nourishes the nervous system and sensory organs and brings the energy of pure awareness, wisdom and intelligence.
One of the special effects, or prahabhva of Triphala is that it helps to cleanse, detoxify, and remove excess from the tissues while also nourishing, toning and rejuvenating!
Triphala helps to loosen, flush, and escort ama (or bodily toxins, film and plaque) from the cells in the body back towards the main channel of elimination. It supports better digestion and especially a healthy bowel movement. After waste is cleared out, Triphala works to restore, tone, nourish and revitalize the tissues. It creates more ojas, known in Ayurveda as the nectar of consciousness, a soft radiant moony glow and strong immunity.
Celebrated by many for thousands of years, this incredible herbal formula is known to have hundreds of preparations and different uses. Below are a few specific ways you can work with the incredible healing powers to support clarity, strength and resilience within your body and mind.
Detox and Elimination
Triphala is most widely known as a tonic to support regular elimination and cleanse the digestive tract. It’s not actually a laxative, which makes it non-addictive, but rather it helps to tone the muscles of the GI tract and increases peristalsis. Meanwhile it has a detoxifying action.
To use – start with ¼ teaspoon dried triphala powder added to ~4oz hot water. Steep for ten minutes then drink. Take 30 minutes before bedtime, and at least 2 hours after the last meal. Slowly increase dosage if desired.
The taste is quite potent, which can take some getting used to. Tasting the herb is an important part in using the medicine – it allows the body to gain vital information about what it’s ingesting and how it will be used or impacted.
Rasa is the Sanskrit word for taste, flavor, emotion, mood, and the first tissue similar to lymph. So being, there’s a layered and complex relationship to the flavor of foods, medicine, and how it impacts the body mind. Rasa as the first tissue that absorbs the essence of the medicine carries each of the six tastes and has an influence on the emotions as well.
Triphala is unique in that it contains five of the six tastes (all but salty.) Each time you take triphala you’ll most likely notice a different taste highlighted – which is a signal that that particular taste is deficient in your rasa and should be increased. If, however, you begin to taste triphala as sweet, it’s best to stop using the medicine.
If the taste is too much to handle, try taking one sip with just water and herbs, then add honey or milk to soften the flavor.
Eye Health
Triphala is a great cleanser and tonic for the eyes – promoting improved vision. It can cleanse or reduce redness in the eyes, excess secretions, and act as a rejuvenative. This is great for tired, strained eyes, lots of screen time, or during allergy season.
To use – add ½ teaspoon triphala powder to one cup boiling water. Steep ten minutes or allow to cool. Carefully strain several times to remove ALL herbs from the water, using a fine mesh strainer and cheesecloth. Make sure there are no particles left in the infusion that could irritate the eyes.
Standing over the sink, tilt your head to the side and pour the tea into the eyes. Or, splash the infusion into your eyes using the palm of your hand.
Mouth, Gums and Throat
Triphala helps with sensitive, red, inflamed, irritated or bleeding gums and helps to cleanse the mouth from plaque and toxins. As a gargle, it will help with a hoarse voice or congestion in the throat.
Add ½ teaspoon herb to one cup boiling water. Allow to cool, strain, and use the tea as a mouth rinse and gargle for ~ 1 minute or more. Spit into sink when finished.
Strong, Clean, Shiny Hair
Just as triphala helps to cleanse, tone and detoxify the inner body organs, it can help you have clean, fresh, shiny, strong hair.
To make a clarify hair wash: add 4 tablespoons triphala powder to one-quart water and boil for 10 minutes. Allow water to cool to a comfortable temperature. Then, in your bathtub, or leaning over a sink– slowly pour the infusion into hair. Take pauses to massage into your scalp. Leave on for 30 minutes if possible, then rinse with clean water and use your favorite moisturizer.
Vibrant Skin
Triphala can be used to support healthy, radiant skin in a few ways.
For irritated, oily, or broken-out skin, make a simple tea of 1 tablespoon triphala powder in a cup of boiling water. Allow to cool, then pour or splash over troubled skin to help gently clean, soothe, and pull out excess oil and inflammation.
For dull or discolored skin, create a paste with equal parts triphala powder and water. Massage paste over skin, and allow to absorb for 5 – 10 minutes, then rinse and moisturize. Can be done as part of a weekly invigoration treatment.