Trifal

AYURVEDIC BOTANICALS
Regularity & Gut Immunity

History & Tradition
The combination of the fruits amla (Phyllanthus emblica), haritaki (Termnalia chebula), and bahera (Termnalia bellerica) is an ancient Ayurvedic remedy revered for its many therapeutic actions. Reference to this combination, known as trifal or triphala, appear in most Ayurvedic texts. In fact, discussions on this formula date back 5,000 years to Charak Samhita and the Sushrut Samhita. These two texts form the cornerstone of Ayurvedic medicine and are gaining respect in the West as modern research acknowledges the wisdom they contain.

This combination of fruit was traditionally used for antiseptic irrigation of wounds, sugeries, burns, and as a digestive, mild laxative, mild diuretic, and adaptogen. However, it is especially indicated as a rasayana, or rejuvenating formula (1). Rasayanas, substances which constantly rejuvenate the body, are said to have balancing effects on all body types. According to Ayurvedic wisdom these fruits can be of great benefit to all. In modern terminology, this combination of fruits is referred to as an alterative, adaptogenic, and a rejuvenating food.

Uses
Modern research and centuries of use have revealed that these fruits are wonderful intestinal cleansers. Unlike most other laxatives, they first aid in digestion, then help eliminate toxins from the body. A combination of these fruits has been successfully used for indigestion, carbohydrate intolerance, anemia, diabetes, chronic lung disease, hypertension, elevated cholesterol, yeast infections, eye diseases, and skin disorders.

Ingredients
These fruits have been individually documented for their therapeutic properties. In combination, these three fruits appear to have a synergistic effect, thereby substantially enhancing their independent actions.

Amla (Phyllanthus Emblica)
Indian Gooseberry

Amla is a 20-25 foot tree with a wide habitat range throughout India. It grows 4,500 feet in elevation. The amla fruit, also called the Indian gooseberry, is one of the greatest known sources of natural vitamin C. In equal amounts, it contains 20 times more vitamin C than that found in oranges (2, 3). Amla is also a rich source of flavonoids, polyphenols, vitamin B-complex, and caratenoids. Studies suggest that amla possesses anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, digestive, mild laxative, hypotensive, hypocholesterimic, adaptogenic, and alternative properties (15). Clinical research also shows that use of amla increases lean body mass, accelerates repair and regeneration of connective tissue, and enhances interferon and corticosteroid secretions. In Ayurveda, amla has traditionally been used to balance pit. Pit regulates metabolic processes.

Haritaki (Terminalia Chebula)
Chebulic Myrobalan

Haritaki is a 50 to 80 foot tree found at various altitudes reaching 5,000 feet in the Himalayan foothills. The family Terminalia has numerous medicinal species whose fruits are gathered in various stages of ripeness. the most potent fruit is picked between January and April (2, 3).

Haritaki is rich in tannins (chebulinic acid, cheblagic acid, corilagin), fructose, amino acids, succinic acid, and betasitosterol (2, 3, 4). Clinical studies have shown it to have anti-viral and anti-bacterial activity against: Esherichia coli; salmonella lyhosa; salmonella para typhi A, B, C; cholera; shigella; klebsialla; and pseudomaonas (5, 6, 7, 8). It also has documented anti-yeast, anti-inflamatory, antihistaminc, and laxative effects (7, 9, 10, 11, 12). Ayurvedically, haritaki balances vat. Vat is compromised of air and ether, and regulates the nervous system.

Bahera (Terminalia Bellerica)
Beleric Myrobalan

Bahera is a 60-80 foot tree found all over India, especially in the Himalayan foothills. The fruit is rich in tannins. It is collected in January and February.

Clinical trials have shown bahera to have remarkable results for asthma and chronic sinusitis. these trials have shown that bahera has antihistaminic, anti-tussiv (13), anti-bacterial (7, 8), anti-fungal, anti-yeast (7), choleretic (14), and cytotoxic effects (6). Bahera tannins have special balancing effects for the Ayurvedic body type kaph. Kaph, a combination of earth and water, supports structural integrity.

Intestinal Cleanser
Although this fruit combination has many other benefits, it has primarily been used as a digestive aid and intestinal cleanser. It is mild and, unlike other intestinal cleansers and laxatives, gently and consistently promotes regularity without irritating the bowels. Those who have used this combination of fruits report a natural regularity in contrast to the forced bowel evacuation, experienced with other laxatives. This combination of fruits is also frequently used to relieve indigestion.

REFERENCES

  1. Shastri, Ambikadull: Shastri, Rajeshwar Dutt: Bhashajya Ratanvali, 2nd Edition, Chaukmba Sanskrit Sansthan, Samat, 2033 766-767.
  2. Sharma, Dr. Priyavrat. Avyagunvigyan, 9th Edition, Chaukhmba Bharat Academy, Samat 2044. 239-760.
  3. Nandakarni, KM. Indian Materia Medica, 3rd Edition, Bombay Popular Parkashan Pvt. Lt., 1976:1202-1211.
  4. Ber, RM. Phytosterol in Som Plants Materials. Indian Oil Sopa J 35:1970, 274-275.
  5. Zheng, MS: Shi, ZX: Chen, RQ: liu, EQ: He, Sq Experimental Studies of Antiviral Effects of Chinese Medicinal Herbs in Tissue Culture. Yao Hsueh Yung Pao 167, 1981: 4-6.
  6. Dhar, ML; Dhar, MM. Dhawan, BN: Mehotra, NB: Ray, C. Screening of Indian Plants for Biological Activity. Part 1. Indian J. Experimental Biology, 1968: 232-247.
  7. Ray, PG: Majmumdar, SK Antimicrobial Activity of Some Indian Plants. Econ Bot 30, 1976:120-317.
  8. Phadke, SA; Kylkamim, SD. Screening of in Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Terminalia chebula, Eclipta alba and Occimum sanctum. Indian J Med Sci 43-45. 1989: 113-117.
  9. Agarwal, RC: Kapadia, LC. Treatment of Piles with Indegenous Drugs Pilex Tablets with Ointment Along Styplon. Probe 21-3, 1982: 285-287.
  10. Vijayasarthy, V: Sharma, LK: Parkash, A. Indigenous Drug Treatments for Hemorrhoids. Probe 20-24, 1981: 285-287.
  11. Mokhasmit, M: Ngarmawathana, W: Swasdimongkol, K: Permphiphat, U. Pharmacological Evaluation of Thai Medicinal Plants. j Med Ass, Thailand, 54-57, 1971:49-504.
  12. Tripathi, VN: Tewari, SK: Gupta, JP: Chaturvedi, GN: Clinical Trial of Haritai in Treatment of Simple Constipation. Sachitra Ayur. 35-11, 1983:733-740.
  13. Trivedi, VP: Nesamany, S: Sharma, VK:J Res Ayur Sidha 31&2: A Clinical Study of Antitussive and Anti-Asthmatic Effects of Vibhitakphal Chuma (Terminalia bellerica Roxb) in the Case of Kasa-Swasa. Reg. Res Cent Hastinapur India. 1985, p. 1-8.
  14. Siddiqui, RH. Effects of Terminalia bellerica on Bile Secretion, and its Pharmacodynamic Properties. Indian J Pharmacy 25: Inst Hist Med Res Delhi, India. 297-1963.
  15. European J of Clinical Nutrition. Effects of Indian Gooseberry on Serum Cholesterol in Ages 35-55. 1988, p. 42.

Although this fruit combination has many other benefits, it has primarily been used as a digestive aid and intestinal cleanser. It is mild and, unlike other intestinal cleansers & laxatives, gently and consistently promotes regularity without irritating the bowels.


 

 

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