17 Amazing Health Benefits of Triphala Juice

January 27, 2016 at 4:01 PM

Triphala juice has lots of benefits when used in treatment of eye disorders and digestive problems. It also promotes cardiac health and has anti-inflammatory properties. This article features 17 evidence based health benefits of triphala juice, 6 side effects as well as instructions on how to make some and how to store it.

What is triphala juice

Triphala juice is derived from the triphala formula. The literal meaning of it is “three fruits” in which tri means “three” and phala means “fruit”. The three fruits present in triphala are Amalaki, Haritaki and Bibhikati. A saying is popular in India that an ayurvedic practitioner can heal any disease if he knows how to use triphala properly.

The three fruits present in triphala are featured below (1):

  • Amalaki – it is quite a popular fruit and is used widely. The healthcare practitioners in India have been using this fruit since the ancient times for curing different diseases. This fruit has the ability to lower cholesterol. Vitamin C is also present in it. It is beneficial for all doshas (one of the three bodily humors which make up the body’s constitution according to Ayuverdas) but is particularly beneficial for balancing “pitta” (one of the three doshas).
  • Bibhitaki – it is another ancient plant having detoxifying effect on the muscles, blood and fatty tissues of the body. It is quite useful against conditions which involve excess mucous in the system and is quite beneficial for bone formation. This fruit is called as “the one which keeps away diseases” because of its multiple benefits.
  • Haritaki – this fruit is known as the Tibetan “King of Medicine”. Different statues of Buddha show him depicting a handful of these fruits which indicates its long term use in Asia. It is quite beneficial for the heart and brain. It can be used as laxative too but it can also be used as an anti-diarrheal treatment. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.

When these three fruits are mixed together then they form a powerful Rasayana.

Rasayana is quite a refined herbal and fruit combination known for its longevity. A Rasayana promotes ojas which is a material of bliss. It is a good product of digestion and prevents diseases and refreshes the whole body.

Triphala balances Apana Vata which is a subdosha of Vata that controls the lower abdomen, menstrual flow and elimination. Some people consider triphala as a mild laxative and that’s why it is quite beneficial eliminating waste materials from the digestive system. It is quite a strong laxative in rare cases. It also detoxifies the body in moderate cases.

A deeper look into triphala

There are seven tissues in the body and they form a kind of sequence.

The tissue chain starts from Rasa and moves to Raska (blood), Mamsa (muscle), Meda (Fat), Asthi (bone), Majja (bone marrow) and Shukra (reproductive fluid) in a chain sequence which is quite orderly.

Triphala helps in cleaning out the waste materials including the fatty tissues. It also detoxifies the body.

It also repairs any damage which is caused in the nature during the transformation from on tissue to the next.

The intelligence of nature operates the gap between the tissues and when there is any gap then triphala resets and repairs the chain to enable the proper transformation of one tissue to the next (2).

Cultivation of triphala

Now let us talk about the cultivation of fruits present in triphala. You need to collect the fruits from an unpolluted area to replicate the formula.

The natural intelligence of the fruits is destroyed if there are environmental toxins in the water, soil or air of if the pesticides are used in chemical culture.

The fruits need to be grown at unpolluted, pristine areas. The fruits should be grown without the use of pesticides, chemical fertilizers or exposure to environmental pollutants.

It is also important to harvest the fruits at their peak when they are ripe.

The green fruits don’t have as much of the beneficial properties as the ripe fruit. You should also take care that the fruits aren’t overripe or fallen on the ground.

When the fruits are obtained then they need to be sanitized and washed so that they are free from dust and dirt.

Trained workers should work with those fruits to make sure that they are extremely clean. The fruits should be cleaned and washed from the traces of jute, dust and dirt.

History of triphala juice

Not much is known about the history of triphala juice but it is clear that the formula is made up of three fruits namely amla (Phyllanthus emblica), behada (Terminalia bellerica) and harada (Terminalia chabula).

These fruits have been in use for thousands of years.

They were recorded in the history of a renowned Ayurvedic physician Charak in his Charak Samhita which is the fundamental text in Ayurvedic medicine.

Triphala is a fundamental formula of Ayurveda because it is helpful in digestion and promotes efficient elimination; these two principles promote the overall health and vitality.

Nutritional value of triphala juice

Triphala juice is packed with different nutrients because it is made from three nutrient rich fruits.

The following table summarizes nutritional value of triphala juice (3):

% Daily value
Total fat 5.0 g 2%
Saturated fat 2.0 g 1%
Polyunsaturated fat 2.0 g 2%
Monounsaturated fat 1.0 g 0.5%
Cholesterol 0.0 mg 0%
Sodium 55 mg 5%
Dietary fiber 3.5 mg 2%
Total carbohydrates 45.5 g 9%
Protein 3.5 g 2%
Vitamin C   5.5%
Iron   1.5%
Calcium   4.5%

Health benefits

Triphala juice is quite beneficial for health and it has attracted many Western Medical practitioners due to its ability to treat a wide range of health conditions. The following are some major benefits of drinking triphala juice:

1. Gastrointestinal mobility:

Triphala juice promotes gastrointestinal mobility. The contraction and relaxation of the muscles in the intestine and stomach help in nutrient absorption and proper digestion.

Different health conditions like irritable bowel syndrome occur when the nerves of the gastrointestinal tract fail to function normally.

Doctors often give prokinetic drugs to treat gastrointestinal issues.

A study published in the “Journal of Postgraduate Medicine” claimed that triphala is equally effective for gastrointestinal problems as prokinetic drugs without having any negative side effects (4).

2. Antioxidant properties:

Researchers believe that triphala has antitumor and antioxidant properties.

One of the fruits from which triphala is formed (amla) is the richest source of vitamin C. A study of patients who ingested Triphala was recently published in the January 2001 issue of “Indian Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology” (5).

The researchers found in the study that the fruits present in triphala led to improvements in the lipoprotein serum profiles which induced increased HDL, decreased LDL and low cholesterol levels. The researchers also found a number of tannins in Amla which contribute to the antioxidant properties of triphala. It is also believed that the Amla fruit extends the lifespan of animals with tumors.

3. Immunomodulatory properties:

Triphala has immunomodulatory properties in it. This means that it modifies the immune response of the body.

It enhances the immune system of the body which fends off many dangerous diseases.

Different antibodies are formed which inhibit the pathogens from entering the body. Research also supports that triphala juice has immunomodulatory properties (5).

4. Digestion:

One of the biggest impacts of triphala is its benefits related to digestion.

The mixture of the three fruits present in triphala leads to the elimination of toxic residue from the digestive system which increases the absorption functions of the colon.

The colon is the main target in the digestive tract, so any medicine which helps in better functioning of the colon is generally beneficial for the body.

Several bowel disorders start from the imbalances in the colon.

The balancing effect of triphala on the digestive tract helps the bowel to find right pace for appropriate absorption.

Triphala actually promotes digestive regularity. The importance of this formula is understood by those people who suffer from irregular elimination or other kinds of bowel diseases (6).

5. Dosha balance:

Triphala can be used for balancing all three doshas (7).

This is because of its relationship with your ability to taste and your plasma.

The sense of taste is thought as divine in Ayurveda. The information obtained from the tongue has many layers and is more than just the literal taste of the food.

The word used for taste in Sanskrit is ‘Rasa’.

The same word is used for plasma as well as moods and emotions.

This word contains a deeper meaning. The plasma has all the six tastes within it because the plasma cells are the first to be nourished by the body.

The ability of a person to taste is directly affected by the amount of plasma present in the body.

You need a steady supply of all the six tastes to have a healthy and nourishing plasma.

Triphala gives you this unique effect. It holds five different tastes which are pungent, bitter, sour, sweet and astringent.

When you intake triphala juice then you will experience a different taste each time.

The main idea here is that the taste that you get by drinking triphala juice is missing from your plasma and your diet.

This information can help you better plan out your diet plans to get the balance. You should remember that triphala will rarely taste sweet. But if it does then you should stop taking it.

6. Emotional barometer

You can use triphala to not only create a balance in your physical life but also in your emotional life (8).

There isn’t any clear separation between the body and mind. You can use food as emotional signals but you have to pay strong attention to different signals of your body like signals from the tongue.

Triphala gives you a clue about the deficiency of the nutrients in your diet as well as the deficiency in your emotional or mental life.

For example, a bitter taste can mean that it’s time to draw inspiration from the inside and create discipline in your life. A pungent taste may mean that you need more enthusiasm and aggression in your life.

7. Healthy eyes:

Triphala juice is beneficial for the eyes and keeps them sharp and healthy (9, 10).

Bright eyes

You can also put triphala powder in your eyes.

Just mix and soak 1 to 2 teaspoons of triphala in warm water and leave it for the night. Strain the mixture in the morning and clean your eyes with it. This simple method will keep your eyes free from allergies.

8. Antibacterial effects:

Triphala also has antibacterial properties.

A study was recently published in the “Journal of Ethnopharmacology” in which the researchers found evidence of antibacterial activity against different bacterial species like Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium which leads to the development of gastritis, stomach cancers and ulcers.

Another study published in December 1998 showed that triphala stops the growth of Streptococcus (a bacterium causing dental decay and many other pathological diseases). The study showed that washing mouth with Triphala extract leads to protective effect. These properties of triphala juice are attributed to the presence of different active compounds like gallic acid, tannins, ellagic acid, chebuinic acid, phenols and flavonoids (11).

9. Promoting hair growth:

Triphala is good aid for natural hair growth due to the presence of vitamin C, omega 3 fatty acids and its anti-fungal properties (12).

It deepens the hair color and also strengthens the hair roots (13).

It is also helpful in relieving the symptoms of dandruff.

You can use triphala in the powdered form.

Just add a teaspoon of the powder in a glass of boiling water and add equal amount of vinegar in it.

Now rub your scalp with this liquid and leave it for an hour. Then wash the hair with a mild shampoo to get rid of dandruff.

10.  A remedy for constipation:

Triphala is an effective medicine for treating constipation. It basically helps to cure the symptoms of constipation (14).

You can consume triphala in the juice form or in the powdered form.

Just mix two tablespoon of this herbal medicine in a glass of warm water and drink it before going to bed. This will help you get rid of constipation.

11. Cardiac health:

Triphala juice improves cardiac health and keeps a stable and healthy blood pressure by managing the cholesterol levels (15, 16).

The development of plaques in the arterial system is also prevented by triphala juice because it has the ability to end blood coagulation.

It also helps in stabilizing the blood glucose levels in the body by controlling the glucose levels in the body and thus protects the body from hypoglycemia and sudden blood pressure spikes.

12. Beneficial in cancer treatment:

Cancer is a major cause of death throughout the world and many studies have been conducted so far to prevent it and to develop effective nontoxic therapeutic agents.

Experimental studies have demonstrated that Triphala is quite beneficial in the treatment and prevention of cancer (17).

Many anti cancer drugs are present in triphala for the treatment of different types of cancer. The presence of antioxidants in triphala also helps in removing the free radicals from the body which can cause cancer.

13. Strengthening the liver:

Liver is one of the most important organs of the body which is needed to enjoy a healthy life.

Triphala helps in the detoxification of the liver and it also helps in the reformation and rebuilding of tissues (18).

A healthy liver is quite essential for proper digestion, energy, clear skin, hormone balance and detoxification of blood in the body.

A healthy liver also eliminates the excess waste materials, chemicals and toxins from the body. So you need to drink triphala juice to help the liver to function normally.

14. Reproduction:

Some researchers believe that triphala juice helps in the reproduction process.

This is probably due to the presence of Amla (one of the three constituent fruits in triphala).

Amla helps in the reproductive system of both male and females and ends the difficulty in conceiving.

The vipaka (a Buddist term referring the maturation of actions) properties of amla help in renewing the semen in men by improving the quality of semen.

15. Beneficial for bones and joints:

Triphala juice has anti inflammatory properties in it which help in reducing the inflammation in joints and bones and helps in relieving pain (19).

So it is quite useful for arthritic patients.

16. Reducing inflammation:

Drinking triphala juice on regular basis is great way to reduce internal and external inflammation which is caused due to lack of immunity or lack of proper nutrition (20).

17. Improving blood circulation:

Drinking triphala juice is a good way to improve blood circulation by increasing the cardio movements in the capillaries and strengthening the flavonoid which improves the overall blood circulation (21).

Side effects of triphala juice

Triphala juice has a long list of health benefits but it also has some side effects, which are described below:

1. Not safe for pregnant women:

Ayurvedic physicians usually abstain from giving triphala extracts to pregnant women (22).

Pregnant woman relaxing by the lake

It can stimulate peristalsis (wave-like muscular contractions) but it can also stimulate the baby too.

Experts also believe that it has toxic effects on the body. It can also cause miscarriages. So pregnant women should stay safe and shouldn’t risk their health and the health of their baby for the sake of triphala juice.

2. Diarrhea:

One of the main benefits of triphala juice is cleaning the colon.

It stimulates the intestinal walls and acts as a strong laxative.

This is helpful for people suffering from constipation because it softens the stool too.

But several studies have suggested that it has a deeper effect on specific people like those who have a sensitive intestinal lining. This can activate the symptoms similar to diarrhea (23).

3. Damaging the colon:

Diarrhea is caused by excessive consumption of triphala juice.

This can irritate the lining of intestines if left untreated for longer durations of time.

This can cause inflammation in the intestine which negatively affects the colon.

The colon becomes less efficient because there is unwanted irritation for longer periods of time which breaks down the soft tissues. It can cause permanent digestion problems after sometime.

4. Drug interactions:

You should always consult a doctor before taking triphala medications.

Medical drug overdose

A major concern while taking this medicine is drug interactions (24, 25).

A very high dosage of triphala can cause interactions with other medications like diabetic and heart medications.

5. Unhealthy weight loss:

Some people experience increased weight loss after regular consumption of triphala juice.

It can be due to the excessive passing of stools.

The colon cleansing effects of triphala eliminate the toxins and wastes from the body.

You should inform the doctor if you experience sudden weight loss.

6. Disrupts the sleep:

There are many incidents in which people have reported insomnia and disrupted sleep after the consumption of triphala extracts (26).

The sleep deprivation ends when a person becomes used to the drug but it is advisable to lower the dose until you are used to it.

You can also try drinking triphala juice in the morning instead of night time.

How to make triphala juice?

There are many ways to consume triphala but the best way is to drink triphala juice. The method of preparation of triphala juice is mentioned below:

  • First of all, fill an 8-ounce glass with warm milk. You can use warm water if you are allergic to milk.
  • Cut a lemon and squeeze one half of the lemon into the glass. Now add two tablespoon of triphala and 1 tablespoon of honey. Stir it well until the honey and the powder are mixed completely.
  • The drink is now ready. You should consume triphala juice twice a day. Drink one glass about two after breakfast and the other one before going to bed. Don’t eat anything after drinking triphala juice in the evening.
  • You can also consume triphala juice in capsule form if you don’t have time to make triphala juice. The daily dosage is about 500 mg. Triphala supplements are available in any large health store or East Indian grocery stores.

Storage

Triphala juice is prepared from triphala powder. The best way to store triphala juice is to make it from powdered form and then put it in containers.

Then store them in refrigerator.

They can be stored up to one week. But it’s best to drink it within two days because the juice starts to lose its nutritional value with the passage of time.

Conclusion

This post provided you with an evidence based overview of health benefits and side effects of triphala juice. You also learnt about how to make triphala juice and how to store it.

While triphala juice has lots of benefits including improvement of gastrointestinal mobility, antioxidant and immunomodulatory properties and also helps in treatment of constipation and inflammatory diseases of the gut and promotes blood circulation, it also has some side effects and may cause sleep disruptions, diarrhea or unhealthy weight loss.

Triphala juice should never be used by pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and you should always ask your doctor for advice before you start using it as it may interact with various drugs and cause problems.

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Written by: Michal Vilímovský (EN)
Education: Physician
Article resources:

See numbered references within the article.

Image resources:

Pixabay.com

Published: January 27, 2016 at 4:01 PM
Next scheduled update: January 27, 2018 at 4:01 PM
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