Everything About Triphala Powder
[Healing Benefits & Side Effects]
Triphala, a mysterious Ayurvedic medicine that has shown to have numerous health benefits including helping to promote digestive function and detoxification.
This form of herbal medicine has been used in India since the beginning of time.
In this article, we will dive into what exactly Triphala is, the ingredients used to create it, the benefits of Triphala, the different forms of medicine including Triphala churna powder, and any side effects you should be aware of when using Triphala.
What is Triphala?
Triphala is an Ayurvedic medicine that is often described as both “mysterious” and “miraculous.”
The concept of Ayurvedic medication originated in India over 3,000 years ago and has remained one of the primary health systems of this country.
Ayurveda, which can be translated from Sanskrit as the science (veda) of life (ayur), encompasses a number of different commonly used herbs aside from Triphala, some of which include calendula, basil, dandelion, lavender, juniper, cannabis, periwinkle, thyme, sage and much more 1.
There are three main herbal ingredients that comprise Triphala, each of which play an important role in the ability of Triphala to successfully heal within our bodies.
The dried powder of each of these ingredients come together to form Triphala, and each of their individual benefits are further discussed in Table 1.
Table 1: Herbal ingredients of Triphala.
| INGREDIENTS | ORIGIN | BENEFITS |
| Emblica officinalis(Amalaki) | Indian gooseberry or amla |
|
| Beleric myrobalan (Bibhitaki) | Fruit of a tree that is commonly found in India |
|
| Chebulic myrobalan (Haritaki) | Fruit of the Terminalia chebula tree |
|
Triphala Benefits
By understanding the different benefits associated with each ingredient of Triphala, it is not difficult to understand that this ayurvedic medication has some profound effects, especially on digestive issues.
Some of the main constituents within Triphala include some very strong antioxidants including gallic acid, ellagic acid and chebulinic acid, as well as flavonoids and polyphenols, both of which are known for their antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrheal properties 4.
In India, Triphala is considered the greatest and most versatile herbal medication. The benefits of Triphala are truly endless; however, some of the main reasons people take Triphala are for the following reasons: 
Types of Triphala
Triphala can be taken in four different ways, all of which depends upon which way of taking medication feels best for you. The different forms of the Triphala supplement include:
Triphala Powder Also Known as “Triphala Churna”
Triphala powder can be made as a tea by adding a ½ teaspoon of the powder into a cup of hot water. Stir, and wait for the drink to cool before consumption. If the taste of Triphala Churna is too bitter, it is recommended that honey or ghee be added to the drink.
The powder form of Triphala is generally considered to be one of the most effective forms of the medicine. The powdered form is also known as “Triphala Churna” where Churna means powder and Triphala is the combination of 3 herbal fruits.
When used to resolve digestive issues, it is recommended to ingest Triphala at least two hours prior to eating dinner, as well as at least 30 minutes prior to falling asleep for the night.
Note: No food should be eaten for at least 1-1.5 hours after ingesting Triphala Churna.
Triphala Liquid Extract
A typical dose of the Triphala liquid extract is about 30 drops that is placed in 1-2 ounces of water or juice. This dose of Triphala liquid extract can be taken one to three times, depending upon what is recommended to you by your doctor.
Triphala Tablets
When taking Triphala in tablet form, it is recommended that two 1000 mg tablets of Triphala are taken either before bed or immediately after waking up in the morning.
The tablet form of Triphala is typically more recommended by Ayurvedic practitioners as compared to the triphala capsule form, as the tablet still has some mild tasting of the herbs that helps alert the digestive system.
Taking Triphala for Digestive Problems
Triphala has long been known to aid in digestion and to help people with motility disorders. If you are someone who deals with a functional gut disorder like IBS, SIBO, dyspepsia or any other issue with a sluggish bowel this may be a good formula to test out.
Triphala works as a natural laxative, detoxifier, and has prokinetic effects. If you are dealing with constipation or a sluggish bowel it is often recommended to take Triphala powder or tablets at night before going to bed.
When taken at night, Triphala helps the intestinal cleansing waves function and helps to regulate the microbiome.
Triphala Side Effects
In simple terms, Triphala is a naturally detoxifying medication. Following Triphala ingestion, the detoxification process can release toxins from deep tissue sources.
As these toxins are released into the bloodstream to eventually be excreted, a “healing crisis” can occur in the body, which can cause some adverse side effects including:
- Headache
- Rash
- Nausea
- Gas
- Upset Stomach
- Diarrhea 5
While these symptoms may appear alarming, they are common experiences that occur during any type of cleansing process; however, if the side effects that you experience while taking Triphala seem too intense for you to handle, it is recommended to stop taking the medication until the symptoms subside.
Once you feel up to it, you can restart the Triphala regimen at a lower dose/frequency; however, if your symptoms appear again, it is then recommended to speak with your doctor.
Triphala is not recommended for people who are experiencing diarrhea or dysentery, as well as for anyone who is pregnant and/or nursing. Currently, there are no known drug interactions between Tripahala herbs and any other medication; however, it is not recommended to take Triphala if you are currently on blood-thinners.
Triphala Review Summary
Triphala is a natural medication that is associated with several beneficial effects including improved digestion, cancer-fighting properties, weight loss, reduced cholesterol levels and much more. If you are experiencing any of these conditions and are looking to transition to a natural remedy, Triphala may be the right medication for you.
You may also want to look for more natural treatments for your gut related issues, we encourage you to have a look at our Recommended Products Page Here
