Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Triphala Herbs

Triphala Herbs is a preparation made from plant material. Bibhitaki: beta-sitosterol moderate bioavailability (~15-25%); belleric acid low absorption improved with lipid vehicle. Amalaki: Ascorbic acid high bioavailability (~70-80%) but rapid renal clearance; emblicanin A/B moderate absorption (~20-30%).

Key facts
Substance typePreparation made from plant material, not a single plant drug
Also known asTriphala Herbs, TriphalaHerbs

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishTriphala Herbs

What is it made of?

Mineral/Elemental Profile

  • Primary component: Mineral-derived preparation
  • Note: Composition varies by specific preparation method

Analytical Methods: XRD, ICP-OES, SEM-EDS

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Individual fruit powders (Haritaki, Bibhitaki, Amalaki churnas), Capsule (single herb), Tablet (single herb), Svarasa (Amalaki juice), Avaleha (Chyawanprash from Amalaki)

Standard Dosage: Haritaki: 3-6 g; Bibhitaki: 3-6 g; Amalaki: 3-6 g individually, or as combined in Triphala 1:1:1 ratio

Bioavailability: Haritaki: Chebulagic acid and chebulinic acid undergo partial hydrolysis to ellagic acid in gut (bioavailability ~8-12%); gallic acid well absorbed (~40%). Bibhitaki: beta-sitosterol moderate bioavailability (~15-25%); belleric acid low absorption improved with lipid vehicle. Amalaki: Ascorbic acid high bioavailability (~70-80%) but rapid renal clearance; emblicanin A/B moderate absorption (~20-30%). Individual herbs allow dose customization based on Dosha predominance.

Optimal Timing: Haritaki: at bedtime; Bibhitaki: morning with honey; Amalaki: any time, ideally morning on empty stomach

Standardized Extract: Haritaki: >20% total tannins, >3% chebulagic acid; Bibhitaki: >15% total tannins, >0.5% belleric acid; Amalaki: >30% total tannins, Vitamin C >2%, >1.5% gallic acid (all by HPLC/UV methods)

Shelf Life: Individual powders: 12-18 months; Amalaki juice (spray-dried): 18 months; Capsules: 24 months; Chyawanprash: 24-36 months

Storage: Individual powders in airtight, moisture-proof containers at 15-25 deg C. Amalaki products benefit from refrigerated storage (2-8 deg C) to preserve vitamin C. Protect all from light and humidity.

Marker Compounds: Chebulagic acid (Haritaki), Chebulinic acid (Haritaki), Gallic acid (all three), Ellagic acid (Haritaki, Amalaki), Belleric acid (Bibhitaki), beta-Sitosterol (Bibhitaki), Emblicanin A (Amalaki), Emblicanin B (Amalaki), Ascorbic acid (Amalaki)

Extraction Methods

  • Individual fruit drying and powdering
  • Aqueous extraction of each fruit separately
  • Hydroethanolic extraction (50-70% ethanol)
  • Spray drying for Amalaki juice
  • Supercritical CO2 extraction for Bibhitaki fatty acid fraction

Synergistic Combinations

  • Haritaki + Saindhava Lavana - Vata-pacifying combination
  • Bibhitaki + Honey - Kapha-pacifying combination
  • Amalaki + Ghrita - Pitta-pacifying Rasayana
  • Individual herbs serve as components of hundreds of classical formulations

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