Triphala

Names and identification

Language	Name
English	Triphala
Common Names	Triphala, Three Fruits
Hindi	Triphala
Sanskrit	Triphala
Latin/Botanical	Compound: Terminalia chebula + T. bellirica + Phyllanthus emblica

Parts Used

• Fruits of three plants (equal parts)

Dosha Effects

Dosha	Effect
Vata	Decreases
Pitta	Decreases
Kapha	Decreases

Key Phytochemical Constituents

• Gallic acid
• Chebulagic acid
• Ellagic acid
• Vitamin C
• Tannins

Therapeutic Actions (Karma)

• Mild laxative
• Antioxidant
• Anti-inflammatory
• Immunomodulator
• Eye tonic
• Rejuvenative

How does it work?

• Rich in polyphenols (gallic acid, chebulagic acid, chebulinic acid, ellagic acid), vitamin C, and flavonoids providing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
• Polyphenols modulate gut microbiota: promote Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, inhibit E. coli, lower Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio, increase Akkermansia muciniphila.
• Triphala-derived polyphenols (chebulinic/ellagic acids) are biotransformed by gut microbiota into urolithins, which modulate inflammation and prevent oxidative injury of enterocytes.
• Activates phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis pathways regulating energy metabolism.
• Bidirectional gut-brain axis modulation demonstrated in Alzheimer’s models, improving cognition through gut restoration.
• Synergistic antibacterial activity when combined with standard antibiotics against drug-resistant clinical isolates.

How is it used traditionally?

Most famous Ayurvedic compound. Charaka says Triphala Rasayana can make one live 100 years free of disease. Each fruit corresponds to a dosha: Haritaki=Vata, Bibhitaki=Kapha, Amalaki=Pitta.

Where is it described in the classical texts?

• Charaka Samhita
• Sushruta Samhita
• Ashtanga Hridaya
• Sharangadhara Samhita

What do recent clinical trials show?

• Phimarn W, Sungthong B, Itabe H 2021. Effects of Triphala on Lipid and Glucose Profiles and Anthropometric Parameters: A Systematic Review. Journal of evidence-based integrative medicine. PMID 33886393 · doi:10.1177/2515690X211011038
  Systematic review of 9 trials (551 patients) found Triphala reduced LDL-C, total cholesterol, and triglycerides while increasing HDL levels. Safe when used for 25 days to 1 year.
• Upadhyay P, Tyagi A, Agrawal S and others 2024. Bidirectional Effect of Triphala on Modulating Gut-Brain Axis to Improve Cognition in the Murine Model of Alzheimer’s Disease. Molecular nutrition & food research. PMID 37767948 · doi:10.1002/mnfr.202300104
  Triphala reversed cognition deficits in 5XFAD Alzheimer’s mice through gut restoration during antibiotic-mediated dysbiosis, demonstrating gut-brain axis modulation.
• Kwandee P, Somnuk S, Wanikorn B and others 2023. Efficacy of Triphala extracts on the changes of obese fecal microbiome and metabolome in the human gut model. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine. PMID 36970454 · doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2023.02.011
  Triphala extract lowers the Firmicutes-to-Bacteroidetes ratio, increases Akkermansia muciniphila, and increases gut metabolites like valeric, isovaleric, and isobutyric acids beneficial for intestinal health.
• Gurjar S, Taliyan R, Kumari S and others 2025. The interplay of triphala and its constituents with respect to metabolic disorders and gut-microbiome. Fitoterapia. PMID 40466870 · doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2025.106642
  Comprehensive review confirming Triphala polyphenols modulate gut microbiota by promoting Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus while inhibiting pathogenic E. coli, and that microbial transformation produces active urolithins.

2 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

• Triphala inhibits CYP1A and CYP3A enzymes, increasing bioavailability of phenacetin and midazolam in rat studies. Primarily reversible inhibition.
• May increase side effects of drugs metabolized by CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 enzymes.
• Caution advised for patients on blood-thinning medications due to potential effects on platelet function.
• Safe in clinical trials for durations of 25 days to 1 year, but long-term safety data remain limited.
• No serious adverse events reported in clinical trials; most common side effects are mild gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Well-designed large multicenter RCTs investigating long-term effects still needed.

Recommended Dosage

Powder (Churna): 3-6g/day before bed with warm water; As eye wash: decoction

Safety, contraindications and cautions

• Pregnancy
• Diarrhea (already loose stools)
• Severe debility

What is it made of?

Part(s) Analyzed: Fruits of three plants (equal parts)

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: Churna (powder), Vati (tablet), Capsule, Kwatha (decoction), Guggulu (Triphala Guggulu), Ghrita (Triphala Ghrita), Eye wash (Triphala Netra Prakshalana), Mouthwash

Standard Dosage: 3-6 g powder at bedtime with warm water; 500 mg-1 g tablet/capsule twice daily; 50-100 mL decoction

Bioavailability: Gallic acid has good oral bioavailability (~40-50%) with rapid absorption. Ellagic acid has low bioavailability (<10%) but is converted by gut microbiota to urolithins A and B, which have prolonged half-lives and significant biological activity. Chebulagic acid and chebulinic acid are partially hydrolyzed in the GI tract releasing ellagic acid. Emblicanin A and B (from Amalaki component) are moderately bioavailable. The three-fruit combination provides a broader spectrum of tannins with complementary absorption profiles.

Optimal Timing: At bedtime with warm water for mild laxative effect; before meals for digestive stimulation; morning for Rasayana (rejuvenative) effect

Standardized Extract: Standardized to >35% total tannins (as gallic acid equivalent by Folin-Ciocalteu); >5% gallic acid by HPLC; >2% ellagic acid by HPLC; Vitamin C >3% (as ascorbic acid)

Shelf Life: Churna: 12-18 months; Tablets/Capsules: 24-36 months; Aqueous decoction: prepare fresh; Ghrita: 24 months; Guggulu tablets: 24-36 months

Storage: Airtight, moisture-proof containers at 15-25 deg C, protected from light. Vitamin C content degrades faster at higher temperatures; cool storage preferred for premium products. Ghrita formulations in glass jars at room temperature.

Marker Compounds: Gallic acid, Ellagic acid, Chebulagic acid, Chebulinic acid, Corilagin, Emblicanin A, Emblicanin B, beta-Glucogallin, Bellericanin

Extraction Methods

• Simple blending of three fruit powders (1:1:1 by weight)
• Aqueous decoction
• Hydroethanolic extraction (50-70% ethanol)
• Spray drying of aqueous extract
• Standardized dry extract by vacuum concentration

Synergistic Combinations

• Guggulu (Commiphora mukul) - Triphala Guggulu for musculoskeletal and metabolic conditions
• Ghrita (ghee) - Triphala Ghrita for ophthalmic applications
• Trikatu - combined digestive and metabolic formula
• Loha Bhasma - Triphala with iron for hematinic action
• Honey + Triphala - Kapha-pacifying combination