Triphala Benefits, Side Effects and How to take

Studies suggest that regular consumption of Triphala is excellent for losing weight; especially in obese people. In a recent human-based research, two group of obese people between the age of 16 to 60 years were selected to test the benefits of Triphala in weight loss. Only one of this group was given 5 gm Triphala twice a day, orally,  for a period of 12 weeks while the other group was given a placebo and it was found that the Triphala group showed a significant decrease in the body weight and in the circumference of waist and hips. Further, if we look at the regulatory effects of consumption of Triphala powder on the bowel movements, it is obvious that Triphala can help lose weight more easily. So, it can be safely said that Triphala is an effective weight loss remedy.

Ayurveda describes many beneficial effects of Triphala for eyes including its potential in reducing the risk of eye diseases like cataract and glaucoma. Clinical studies also claim the anticataract effect of Triphala. A treatment suggested by ayurvedic doctors, for improving the weak eyesight, has Triphala as its main constituent. It is also known to reduce.  An Ayurvedic remedy known as Triphala ghrita is considered one of the best eye medicines. However, eyes are one of the most sensitive parts of the body and it's best to ask an Ayurveda doctor for the best ways of using Triphala for your eyes.

Triphala is a rich source of antioxidants which helps reduce the hair damage caused by pollution. The amla content in Triphala is very beneficial in stopping the premature hair greying while the baheda in Triphala is known to be very helpful in reducing hair fall and strengthening the roots of hairs. Triphala is also known to increase the circulation of blood in the scalp thereby helping it absorb nutrients and minerals more effectively. Triphala oil or Triphala paste can be applied directly on the head to reap its nutritive and protective benefits on hairs.

A healthy and clean intestine is very important for the well being of the body. Accumulation of digestive waste doesn’t only choke the intestinal pathways but consistent and long-term constipation can lead to accumulation of toxins in the body. High level of these toxins in the body can also lead to problems like anxiety and stress. According to ayurvedic doctors Triphala, as a natural laxative, helps in regularising the bowel movements and in strengthening the intestinal muscles of the body. It is not heavy on the stomach and can be consumed for long periods of time without much side effects. A clinical study conducted in India claims that regular consumption of Triphala is very effective in reducing constipation, irregular bowels, flatulence and abdominal pain.

The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects of Triphala make it an excellent agent for alleviating the symptoms of the common dental problems and promoting good dental health. A Study done in India suggests that Triphala and chlorhexidine mouthwash is very effective in slowing down the plaque buildup in teeth, healing gum inflammation and reducing the microbial load in the oral cavity. In a further study, a mouthwash made of Triphala and 0.2% chlorhexidine is claimed to be equally effective in treating the gum inflammation and plaque buildup in hospitalised periodontal disease patients.

In Ayurveda, Triphala has been traditionally in use as an antimicrobial agent. Recently, Lab studies too have shown the antimicrobial and antibacterial potential of Triphala. A research done in India suggests that the ethanolic extracts of triphala have been found very successful against most of the common bacteria that lead to secondary diseases in HIV patients. The study found triphala to be effective against Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Vibrio cholerae etc. However, none of these effects have been tested in human subjects so far.

Triphala is rich in vitamin C, polyphenols and other antioxidants that make it the perfect agent for combating the free radical damage in the body. Free radicals are a kind of reactive oxygen species which is formed in the body as a result of some of the usual body functions and keep accumulating with age. But certain lifestyle and dietary choices like overconsumption of junk food, smoking or pollution lead to a much faster accumulation of these free radicals in the body. According to scientists, the excess amount of these free radicals in the body is the primary cause of a lot of health-related problems and diseases. High free radical content affects the proper functioning and health of every major organ of the body, including heart, liver, and kidneys and it is one of the primary causes of the early onset of aging symptoms in humans. So how do antioxidants help fight these so hyped free radicals? A good antioxidant supplement will scavenge and neutralize(stop them from harming the body) the free radicals thus protecting the body from an early damage.

Triphala has a potent hypoglycemic (reduces sugar) in the body. Studies claim that triphala acts very much like the commercially available antidiabetic drugs by inhibiting the secretion of two major enzymes from insulin namely alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase. These enzymes are responsible for the breakdown of the larger sugar compounds into glucose. Inhibition of these enzymes would stop the formation of glucose and its subsequent release into the blood. Thus, the blood sugar level would be controlled. A study done in India, on 45 patients with non insulin dependent diabetes showed that regular consumption of triphala has a significant effect in reducing blood sugar levels.

Triphala is an excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. These two qualities make it a perfect supplement for relieving arthritis and arthritis related symptoms. Animal studies claim that triphala repairs the cartilage and bone damage in people suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. However, no human studies have been done so far to study the effectiveness of triphala in the treatments of arthritis in humans.

Numerous studies have been done to study the anti-cancer activities of Triphala and all of these studies claim the effectiveness of triphala as a potential anti-cancer drug. A recent study in India suggests that triphala has potent anti-proliferative(stops the growth of ) and apoptotic (kills the cancer cells) properties on the colon cancer cells in the body. A further study on the prostate cancer claims that the gallic acid (a chemical compound) present in triphala is responsible for its anticancer activity. Not only this, the apoptotic(cell killing) action of triphala has been shown to have a differentiating effect on normal cells and cancer cells. It kills cancer cells without affecting the normal cells of the body. However, no studies have done so far to test the anticancer effects of Triphala in human subjects. So, it ’s preferable to refer to your ayurveda doctor to know more about the anti-cancer effects of triphala.