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Triphala - The Mother of All Herbs
Triphala: The Mother of All Herbs
By Associate Writer: Gia “Ginger Girl” for frequencyofgenius360.com
Ayurveda is a 5,000 year-old or more healing tradition rooted in ancient Indian culture. Triphala (Tree-pha-laa) is one of the Ayurvedic remedies composed of three dried herbs . The three composites in the triphala are amalaki (Amla), haritaki (Harada) and bhibitaki (Bihara).
Triphala is also an excellent source of bioflavonoids, vitamin C and phospholipids, linoleic acid, etc. Because of its high nutritional value, Triphala uniquely cleanses and detoxifies at the deepest organic levels without depleting the body's reserves. This makes it one of the most valuable herbal preparations in the world.The nutritional aspect is in the form of its high vitamin C content, and the presence of linoleic oil and other important nutrients that make it more of a tonic.
The three fruits of Triphala (Harada, Amla and Bihara) each correspond to the "tridosha" of Indian Ayurvedic medicine. According to Ayurvedic theory, the body is composed of three doshas. Vata is translated as "wind" which corresponds to the mind and nervous system. Its nature is dry, cold, light and activating. The second is pitta which is also translated as "fire". It is responsible for all metabolic transformations including the digestion and assimilation of food as well as assimilation and clarity of thought and understanding. The nature of pitta is primarily hot, moist and light. Kapha is sometimes translated as the "water" or "mucus" and is responsible for all anabolic or building functions such as the development of muscle and bone tissue. Its nature is cool, moist and heavy.
Harada, having a bitter flavor, is associated with the vata doshas and with element of air and space. It treats imbalances and diseases of the vata doshas. Harada possesses laxative, astringent, lubricant, anti-parasitical, antispasmodic and nervine properties. It is therefore used to treat acute and chronic constipation, nervousness, anxiety and feelings of physical heaviness.
Among Tibetans, Harada is so highly revered for its purifying attributes that it is the small fruit that is depicted in the hands of the "medicine Buddha". Of the three fruits, Harada is the most laxative and contains anthraquinones similar to those found in rhubarb and cascara.
Amla has a sour flavor and corresponds to the pitta doshas and the fire element in Ayurvedic medicine. It is a cooling tonic, astringent, mildly laxative, alternative, antipyretic. It is used to treat fire imbalances that include ulcers, inflammation of the stomach and intestines, constipation, diarrhea, liver congestion, eruptions, infections and burning feelings throughout the body. In various studies, Amla has been shown to have mild anti-bacterial properties, as well as pronounced expectorant, anti-viral and cardiotonic activity.
Amla is the highest natural known source of vitamin C, having 20 times the vitamin C content of an orange. The vitamin C in Amla is also uniquely heat stable. Even when subjected to prolonged high heat, as in the making of the Ayurvedic tonic formula called Chyavanprash (Amla, as the primary herb comprises 50% of the formula), it loses hardly any of the vitamin C that was present when it was freshly harvested off the tree. The same is true of Amla that has been dried and kept for up to a year or so. This age and heat stable form of vitamin C that Amla possesses is due to the presence of certain tannins that bind and inhibit its dissipation.
Bihara is astringent, tonic, digestive and anti-spasmodic. Its primary flavor is astringent and the secondary is sweet, bitter and pungent. It targets imbalances associated with the kapha or mucus doshas, corresponding to the earth and water elements in Ayurvedic medicine. Specifically Bihara purifies and balances excess mucus, treats asthma, bronchiole conditions, allergies and hiccoughs.
As a digestive tonic, Triphila cleanses the digestive system and helps to metabolize foods better. It promotes normal bowel movements and is used to treat constipation.his herb is known to have a rejuvenating and a balancing effect on the human body and mind Consider how tremendously valuable a herbal blend is that not only regulates bowel movement but at the same time does the following: Improves digestion, Reduces serum cholesterol, Improves circulation (potentiates adrenergic function), Contains 31% linoleic acid, Exerts a marked cardio-protective effect, Reduces high blood pressure, Improves liver function, Has proven anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties, Expectorant, hypotensive.
Triphala combines both nutritional as well as blood and liver cleansing actions. Herbal healing is largely a matter of strategy. One approach may emphasize tonification while another emphasizes elimination. The problem with overemphasizing tonification is that it can lead to further stagnation and congestion in an excess condition. Emphasizing elimination through the overuse of purgatives in an already deficient individual can further deplete the body's store of minerals and essential B vitamins and can also cause an imbalance of beneficial intestinal microorganisms. The result is weakness with a likely tendency towards chronic fatigue and anemia. Since the body is always simultaneously involved with maintaining and gaining strength through good nutrition as well as eliminating waste, Triphala is unique in that it is naturally able to support both vital processes simultaneously. We herbalists and herbal guru’s believe that the longevity and innate power of herbs such as those of Triphala are, when ingested, energetically absorbed and imparted to our reserves. This belief exists with herbs such as wild ginseng, where specimens that have "weathered" decades of climatic stress have been found to contain the highest concentration of ginsenosides. The Ginkgo tree is another of those long lived plants whose evolution extends back over millennia.
Triphala is also widely taken for healthy eyes and eye diseases . For the eyes conditions, it is taken daily both internally , as well as externally as an eye wash. Steep one tablespoonful of the powder in an 8 ounce glass of water overnight. In the morning, strain the infusion through a clean cloth. The resultant tea is used to sprinkle over the eyes or used in an eyewash with an eyecup that can be readily purchased at most drug stores. One can drink the remainder in one or two doses, morning and evening. Taken in this way for at least three months, Triphala becomes an herbal eye tonic.
This Ayurveda herbal remedy can be taken in the form of an Ayurveda herbal tea . There are two ways to take Triphala, as a powder or tablet. Traditionally Triphala is taken as a churna or powder. One would stir in two or three grams of the powder with warm water and divided into three doses throughout the day.
The larger dose is more laxative while the smaller dose tends to be more gradually blood purifying. A smaller dose might be one or two tablets three times daily. One should increase or decrease the dose according to one's bowel movements. Since there are no problems in using Triphala, the dose can be adjusted upwards from the suggested amount.
As stated, there can be different reactions to the same dose of triphala as with most herbs. For some it causes too loose bowels while in others it may have little or no effect. As a result, it may take two or three days to regulate the dose that is best. After the constipative tendencies are removed, usually within 15 days of daily application, it will no longer cause loose bowels.
The underlying principle of Ayurveda is helping to maintain health or bring the system back into balance. Key to this goal is supporting both digestion and elimination, while providing nourishing and nurturing tonifiers. Who Can Benefit from Triphala?
The short answer, according to Ayurvedic herbalism, is absolutely everyone. Triphala is considered the most balanced of all herbal compounds and it is the cornerstone of herbal therapies in India.
References and recommended additional readings click HERE.
Click HERE for more ARTICLES...
Ayurveda is a 5,000 year-old or more healing tradition rooted in ancient Indian culture. Triphala (Tree-pha-laa) is one of the Ayurvedic remedies composed of three dried herbs . The three composites in the triphala are amalaki (Amla), haritaki (Harada) and bhibitaki (Bihara).
Triphala is also an excellent source of bioflavonoids, vitamin C and phospholipids, linoleic acid, etc. Because of its high nutritional value, Triphala uniquely cleanses and detoxifies at the deepest organic levels without depleting the body's reserves. This makes it one of the most valuable herbal preparations in the world.The nutritional aspect is in the form of its high vitamin C content, and the presence of linoleic oil and other important nutrients that make it more of a tonic.
The three fruits of Triphala (Harada, Amla and Bihara) each correspond to the "tridosha" of Indian Ayurvedic medicine. According to Ayurvedic theory, the body is composed of three doshas. Vata is translated as "wind" which corresponds to the mind and nervous system. Its nature is dry, cold, light and activating. The second is pitta which is also translated as "fire". It is responsible for all metabolic transformations including the digestion and assimilation of food as well as assimilation and clarity of thought and understanding. The nature of pitta is primarily hot, moist and light. Kapha is sometimes translated as the "water" or "mucus" and is responsible for all anabolic or building functions such as the development of muscle and bone tissue. Its nature is cool, moist and heavy.
Harada, having a bitter flavor, is associated with the vata doshas and with element of air and space. It treats imbalances and diseases of the vata doshas. Harada possesses laxative, astringent, lubricant, anti-parasitical, antispasmodic and nervine properties. It is therefore used to treat acute and chronic constipation, nervousness, anxiety and feelings of physical heaviness.
Among Tibetans, Harada is so highly revered for its purifying attributes that it is the small fruit that is depicted in the hands of the "medicine Buddha". Of the three fruits, Harada is the most laxative and contains anthraquinones similar to those found in rhubarb and cascara.
Amla has a sour flavor and corresponds to the pitta doshas and the fire element in Ayurvedic medicine. It is a cooling tonic, astringent, mildly laxative, alternative, antipyretic. It is used to treat fire imbalances that include ulcers, inflammation of the stomach and intestines, constipation, diarrhea, liver congestion, eruptions, infections and burning feelings throughout the body. In various studies, Amla has been shown to have mild anti-bacterial properties, as well as pronounced expectorant, anti-viral and cardiotonic activity.
Amla is the highest natural known source of vitamin C, having 20 times the vitamin C content of an orange. The vitamin C in Amla is also uniquely heat stable. Even when subjected to prolonged high heat, as in the making of the Ayurvedic tonic formula called Chyavanprash (Amla, as the primary herb comprises 50% of the formula), it loses hardly any of the vitamin C that was present when it was freshly harvested off the tree. The same is true of Amla that has been dried and kept for up to a year or so. This age and heat stable form of vitamin C that Amla possesses is due to the presence of certain tannins that bind and inhibit its dissipation.
Bihara is astringent, tonic, digestive and anti-spasmodic. Its primary flavor is astringent and the secondary is sweet, bitter and pungent. It targets imbalances associated with the kapha or mucus doshas, corresponding to the earth and water elements in Ayurvedic medicine. Specifically Bihara purifies and balances excess mucus, treats asthma, bronchiole conditions, allergies and hiccoughs.
As a digestive tonic, Triphila cleanses the digestive system and helps to metabolize foods better. It promotes normal bowel movements and is used to treat constipation.his herb is known to have a rejuvenating and a balancing effect on the human body and mind Consider how tremendously valuable a herbal blend is that not only regulates bowel movement but at the same time does the following: Improves digestion, Reduces serum cholesterol, Improves circulation (potentiates adrenergic function), Contains 31% linoleic acid, Exerts a marked cardio-protective effect, Reduces high blood pressure, Improves liver function, Has proven anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties, Expectorant, hypotensive.
Triphala combines both nutritional as well as blood and liver cleansing actions. Herbal healing is largely a matter of strategy. One approach may emphasize tonification while another emphasizes elimination. The problem with overemphasizing tonification is that it can lead to further stagnation and congestion in an excess condition. Emphasizing elimination through the overuse of purgatives in an already deficient individual can further deplete the body's store of minerals and essential B vitamins and can also cause an imbalance of beneficial intestinal microorganisms. The result is weakness with a likely tendency towards chronic fatigue and anemia. Since the body is always simultaneously involved with maintaining and gaining strength through good nutrition as well as eliminating waste, Triphala is unique in that it is naturally able to support both vital processes simultaneously. We herbalists and herbal guru’s believe that the longevity and innate power of herbs such as those of Triphala are, when ingested, energetically absorbed and imparted to our reserves. This belief exists with herbs such as wild ginseng, where specimens that have "weathered" decades of climatic stress have been found to contain the highest concentration of ginsenosides. The Ginkgo tree is another of those long lived plants whose evolution extends back over millennia.
Triphala is also widely taken for healthy eyes and eye diseases . For the eyes conditions, it is taken daily both internally , as well as externally as an eye wash. Steep one tablespoonful of the powder in an 8 ounce glass of water overnight. In the morning, strain the infusion through a clean cloth. The resultant tea is used to sprinkle over the eyes or used in an eyewash with an eyecup that can be readily purchased at most drug stores. One can drink the remainder in one or two doses, morning and evening. Taken in this way for at least three months, Triphala becomes an herbal eye tonic.
This Ayurveda herbal remedy can be taken in the form of an Ayurveda herbal tea . There are two ways to take Triphala, as a powder or tablet. Traditionally Triphala is taken as a churna or powder. One would stir in two or three grams of the powder with warm water and divided into three doses throughout the day.
The larger dose is more laxative while the smaller dose tends to be more gradually blood purifying. A smaller dose might be one or two tablets three times daily. One should increase or decrease the dose according to one's bowel movements. Since there are no problems in using Triphala, the dose can be adjusted upwards from the suggested amount.
As stated, there can be different reactions to the same dose of triphala as with most herbs. For some it causes too loose bowels while in others it may have little or no effect. As a result, it may take two or three days to regulate the dose that is best. After the constipative tendencies are removed, usually within 15 days of daily application, it will no longer cause loose bowels.
The underlying principle of Ayurveda is helping to maintain health or bring the system back into balance. Key to this goal is supporting both digestion and elimination, while providing nourishing and nurturing tonifiers. Who Can Benefit from Triphala?
The short answer, according to Ayurvedic herbalism, is absolutely everyone. Triphala is considered the most balanced of all herbal compounds and it is the cornerstone of herbal therapies in India.
References and recommended additional readings click HERE.
Click HERE for more ARTICLES...