The Ayurveda Experience Blog
The Ayurvedic formulation called Triphala is a highly economical, natural way of losing extra pounds at home, without any adverse effects. Use Triphala for weight loss, detoxification, to fight constipation and inflammation in the digestive tract. Triphala simultaneously cleanses, tones and detoxifies the entire digestive system, which leads to perfect weight loss.
What is Triphala?
Triphala is a well-recognized and revered poly-herbal medicine consisting of the dried fruits of three-plant species. Amalaki (or Amla) or Indian Gooseberry (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki or Chebulic Myrobalan (Terminalia chebula) and Bibhitaki or Belliric Myrobalans (Terminalia belerica), are native to the Indian subcontinent where the formula originates.
Triphala is known as a tridoshic rasayana in Ayurvedic medicine. That means, it promotes longevity and rejuvenation in people of all constitutions and ages. According to Charaka, the ancient Ayurvedic sage, taking Triphala along with honey and ghee (Triphala Rasayana) daily has the potential to make a person live for one hundred years free from diseases of old age.1
How Triphala Aids Weight Loss
The three fruits of Triphala are responsible for its efficacy. Let’s look at each individually, Amla, Haritaki and Bibhitaki.
Amalaki or Amla has a high content of vitamin C. It is rich in antioxidants and helps to cleanse the body of toxins. We’ll refer to it in this article as Amla.
Amla + Weight Loss
Amla lowers cholesterol levels.
It contains flavonoids which reduce the levels of lipids in the blood serum. It also enhances the degradation of synthesis of cholesterol. In one study it was observed that oral administration of Amla significantly improved lipid profile and also the differences of means for HDL, LDL and VLDL were highly significant after taking Amla.
Amla regulates blood sugar.
Research shows Amla has good glycemic control and both Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) and HbA1C were improved significantly with Amla intake. It has also been shown that insulin sensitizing property in adipocytes increased glucose uptake. Triphala regulates the health of the pancreas by managing cholesterol levels.2
Additional Benefits Of Amla
1. Amla acts a restorative invigorator.
Make a powder from an equal quantity of Amla seeds and the roots of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). Add ghee and honey. Mix well. This is a restorative invigorator, especially in winter.
2. It prevents anemia.
Amla increases hemoglobin, red blood cell count.
3. It is good for the lungs and respiratory tract.
Amla is useful for cough, bronchitis and asthma.
4. It’s an immunity booster.
Amla promotes vigor, restores bone density, is an anti-inflammatory agent and helps to scavenge free radicals. It prevents aging and is an excellent hair tonic, diuretic, digestive, laxative, liver tonic and restorative. It’s a useful remedy for scurvy, heart disease and eye disorders.3
Amla Fruit Properties
Amla is considered a powerful rejuvenator (rasayana) in Ayurveda. Except the salty taste, it has all the other five tastes (sweet, sour, bitter, pungent and astringent). The sour taste is its most dominant taste. Its potency is cold, and its post digestive taste is sweet. It is light, dry and cooling in nature. It quiets all three doshas, Vata, Pitta and Kapha, and is especially effective for Pitta. It has hepatoprotective properties.4
Haritaki + Weight Loss
Haritaki is also referred to as Harada, Chebulic Myrobalan or Terminalia chebula, it’s botanical name.
Haritaki is a nut shaped fruit known as the “king of medicine.” Haritaki is widely used to treat a variety of health issues including constipation, dementia and diabetes.
Haritaki grows wild. It is a safe laxative. It increases stools and has the property of evacuating the bowel completely which was demonstrated in a short term clinical trial carried out on patients with simple constipation.
Haritaki has hypolipidemic and hypo-cholesterolemic activity.
Research shows, Haritaki produces a significant decrease in the serum level of lipids in atherogenic diet induced hyperlipidaemia in rats. There were also a significant reduction in total cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein and elevation of high density lipoprotein cholesterol. Haritaki was found to possess strong hepatoprotective activity through its antioxidant effects.5
Additional Benefits Of Haritaki
- Haritaki acts as an anti-aging agent. It has antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity. It is cytoprotective, anti-carcinogenic and anti-aging. Gallic acid and chebulagic acid, isolated from the fruit extract of Haritaki, blocked cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-mediated cytotoxicity against UVB-induced oxidative damage and has anti-aging activity.6
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It is anti-inflammatory and has anti-arthritic, antidiabetic, anti-caries, reno-protective, cardioprotective, hepatoprotective, gastrointestinal motility improving and anti-ulcerogenic activity.7
Haritaki Fruit Properties
Haritaki is “a fruit having a dark greenish yellow color, which drives away diseases”. It is a rejuvenative tonic and is very safe to use. It cures pain, is safe for bodily passages, provides strength to the body, eliminates waste, helps to attain a clear mind by cleansing the body’s channels and provides good nutrients to the body.8
Haritaki fruit comes bundled with five rasa or tastes – sweet, sour, bitter, pungent and astringent. It is astringent dominant. Owing to this formidable combination of five rasas, the whole fruit is capable of managing all the three doshas, especially Vata dosha. It has light and dryness producing properties. Its potency is hot and post digestive taste is sweet.9
Bibhitaki + Weight Loss
Bibhitaki is also known as Belliric Myrobalans or Terminalia belerica, its botanical name.
It helps regulate blood cholesterol levels and promotes healthy plasma, muscle and bones.
1. Bibhitaki has anti-obesity effects.
The fruits of Terminalia bellirica are effective in reducing body weight, lipid parameters and organ weight.10
2. It acts as a natural detoxifier and a rejuvenator with detoxifying qualities.11
Additional Benefits Of Bibhitaki
Bibhitaki has anti-oxidant, antimicrobial, antidiarrheal, antidiabetic, analgesic, immunomodulatory, antihypertensive, hepatoprotective, antispasmodic and bronchodilator activities and is able to inhibit atherosclerosis plaque progression.12
Bibhitaki Fruit Properties
Bibhitaki is a rejuvenative herb, beneficial as a tonic to Kapha dosha. It is extensively used in Ayurveda for the treatment of diabetes, high blood pressure and rheumatism. It is astringent in taste, dry and light to digest. Its
post digestive effect is sweet. It is hot in potency and capable of managing all the three Doshas especially Kapha.13
Mechanism Of Action Of Triphala For Weight Loss
1. Triphala keeps a check on glucose levels and lowers cholesterol significantly.
In research on Triphala it was observed that it prevents glycation through the promotion of lower blood glucose levels, thus providing protection from diabetes. Along with sugar level maintenance, it also decreased total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. It decreases the percentage of body fat, body weight and calorie intake.14
2. It has entero-protective effects.
Due to the combined effects of all three herbs, Triphala has balancing and rejuvenating effects on Vata, Pitta and Kapha dosha. It acts as a colon cleanser.
Proper regulation of the colon is a key to good health and longevity. Due to the presence of high antioxidant content, it is a rejuvenator (rasayana) for the colon.
3. It prevents constipation.
It is rich in fiber so it helps in digestion, enhances peristalsis and promotes regularity of the bowels, which helps in losing excess weight. It helps fight constipation and inflammation of the digestive tract, and has hepatoprotective properties.
Triphala aids in digestion, eliminates toxins, retains the fluids in the body at their normal levels and helps the body’s regulatory system to function properly. It thus helps you stay in shape.15
4. It’s a potent anti-obesity herbal formulation.
Gallic acid is a phenolic compound of Triphala possessing anti-obesity properties. In research done on mice,
Triphala administration reduced body weight when compared with the control animals.16
The Best Way To Take Triphala For Weight Loss
For best results, take one half to one teaspoon of Triphala powder in one cup of warm water. Let steep for ten minutes and drink one hour after dinner daily.
Triphala is a rejuvenator so it can be taken for a longer duration. You can continue it for at least 3 months, later on you can consult a local practitioner for its further administration. Make Triphala a part of your daily routine and enjoy its amazing effects on your overall physical and mental health.
References
1 R.K.Sharama ,Agnivesh , Charak Samhita vol 3 page 49. Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series Office Varanasi, India 2017
2 Manoj Gupta et al ,Effect of Amla (Emblica officinalis) on Various Physiological and Biochemical Parameters of Metabolic Syndrome, Scholars Journal of Applied Medical Sciences (SJAMS), ISSN 2320-6691 (Online) Sch. J. App. Med. Sci., 2016; 4(2C):469-475
3 Swetha Dasaroju Current Trends in the Research of Emblica officinalis (Amla): A Pharmacological Perspective Int. J. Pharm. Sci. Rev. Res., 24(2), Jan – Feb 2014; nᵒ 25, 150-159 ISSN 0976 – 044X
4 Prof.P.V. Sharma,Dravyaguna Vigyan Volume 2 page no 758-759, Chowkhamba Bharti Academy, Varanasi, 2005
5 V. Maruthappan ,HYPOLIPIDEMIC ACTIVITY OF HARITAKI (TERMINALIA CHEBULA) IN ATHEROGENIC DIET INDUCED HYPERLIPIDEMIC RATS J Adv Pharm Technol Resv.1(2); Apr-Jun 2010PMC3255428
6 PRAKASH CHANDRA GUPTA,BIOLOGICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL PROPERTIES OF TERMINALIA CHEBULA RETZ. (HARITAKI)- AN OVERVIEW International Journal of Pharmacy
and Pharmaceutical Sciences ISSN- 0975-1491 Vol 4, Suppl 3, 2012 https://www.ijppsjournal.com/Vol4Suppl3/3860.pdf
7 Srinivaslu Bhandari , PRAGMATIC USAGE OF HARITAKI (TERMINALIA CHEBULA RETZ): AN AYURVEDIC PERSPECTIVE VISÀ-VIS CURRENT PRACTICE ·Int. J. Ayur. Pharma Research, 2013; 1(3): 72-82
8 Bhavaprakasha of Bhavamishra, Commentary by Dr. B.Sitaram, Chaukhambha Orientalia, Varanasi 2006
9 Prof.P.V. Sharma,Dravyaguna Vigyan Volume 2 page no 753-757, Chowkhamba Bharti Academy, Varanasi, 2005
10 Mary Shoba Das C, Antiobesity activity of ethanolic extract of fruits of Terminalia bellirica on atherogenic diet induced obesity in experimental rats Journal of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Research, 2016, 8(3):191-197
11 Suman Sen,TRIPHALA: A BOON IN ORAL AND SYSTEMIC HEALTH International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Diseases
12 Anindita Deb, Pharmacological activities of Baheda (Terminalia bellerica): A review Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2016; 5(1): 194-197
13 Prof.P.V. Sharma,Dravyaguna Vigyan Volume 2 page no 239-241, Chowkhamba Bharti Academy, Varanasi, 2005
14 Vaishali V. Kuchewar ,EFFICACY AND SAFETY STUDY OF TRIPHALA IN PATIENTS OF DYSLIPIDEMIA: A PILOT PROJECT Int. J. Res. Ayurveda Pharm. 8 (Suppl 3), 2017
15 Vaishali V,EFFICACY AND SAFETY STUDY OF TRIPHALA IN PATIENTS OF DYSLIPIDEMIA: A PILOT PROJECT Vaishali V. Kuchewar / Int. J. Res. Ayurveda Pharm. 8 (Suppl 3), 2017
16 Neethu S Kumar, Pharmacological and therapeutic effects of triphala – A literature review Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry 2016; 5(3): 23-27
I am 38 and can foresee the onset of menopause. I also need to lose weight. Can i take ashwagandha + shatavari and triphala on the same day and in what quantities?
Should I take triphala powder or juice for weight loss?
Take the powder in warm water in the morning. You can read more here: http://bit.ly/2OV2uSQ
hi, triphala is known as a good weightloss product however how can it make people lose weight while at the same time help the elderly with digestion. Not all elderly people need to lose weight as some are frail and thin or already too thin of old age. please advise!
I have a Triphala capsules (Himalaya Brand) can you advise when best to take these for optimum results
Take Triphala at night for weight loss.
Please can you tell me if I can take Ashwagandha and Triphala on the same day? I am already taking ashwagandha.
Hi Helen, Ashwagandha and Triphala both are Rejuvenators (Rasayanas). Ashwagandha strengthens and nourishes the body while Triphala aids in good digestion. One can take Ashwagandha in the morning in luke warm milk and Triphala in the night with luke warm water at bed time. Consumption depends upon various factors such as body type, present dosha condition, digestive power. For most effective results, you can consult an experienced Ayurvedic practitioner.
Thank you for this information, most helpful.
I would like to clarify something :do I mix the thriphala with the water and drink it? Or after I let thriphala steep in the water for 10 minutes I drink only the water?
Either you take Trifla by mixing in water or gulping it down or you actually make a tea by boiling it in a cup of water and reducing it to half. Sieve and let it cool down and have luke warm. If you suffer from a Pitta aggravation, you may soak it overnight in water in half a cup of water. Stir the mixture in the morning and then sieve and have the water portion.
I have heart burn since taking triphala