“No mother? Don’t worry, as long as you have Triphala…”
May 2, 2007
Triphala, one of the most popular remedies in traditional Indian medicine (”Ayurveda”), is thought to care for the internal organs as a mother does for her children. That explains the popular folk saying that forms the title of this post. A compound of three fruits, triphala is also becoming popular in the US as a laxative, especially because it does not promote dependency and actually strengthens the bowels. It is said to have the unique ability to gently cleanse and detoxify the body while simultaneously replenishing and nourishing it.
I was first exposed to triphala when I was being trained as an Ayurvedic technician and walked into a kitchen where a strong smelling potion was simmering on the stove. It was being prepared for someone to take as part of a cleansing routine. I prepare it that same way for my own use, but most people would prefer to take it in tablet or capsule form as it has a very strong, bitter taste.
Although I began using triphala for its laxative properties, I have learned that it has a whole host of other uses. In addition to being a bowel regulator, triphala is said to:
- improve digestion
- reduce serum cholesterol
- improve circulation
- have a cardioprotective effect
- reduce high blood pressure
- improve liver function
- have anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties
- assist internal cleansing
- have antioxidant properties
- cleanse and strengthen the urinary tract
There has been a lot of research on triphala’s many benefits, including some which indicates that triphala may be able to help combat cancer. A BBC news article recently reported research at the University of Pittsburgh which confirms what Indian scientists have long proclaimed — triphala has been shown to have anti-cancer effects. They found that extracts of triphala slowed the growth of human pancreatic tumors grafted onto mice.
Although you need to do your own research, triphala seems to me to be one of the most beneficial formulas you can take for overall health. It’s relatively inexpensive and I haven’t found anything to indicate there’s any risk in taking it. You can consult one of the many good books on Ayurveda on how to use it.
Wishing you well!
“You don’t have a mother? Don’t worry, as long as you have Triphala in your life!”