Why You Should Try Ayurvedic Triphala (and How to Take It!)

Wooden bowl full of organic triphala powder

“Take your triphala,” may as well be the slogan of my household. After a questionable restaurant meal or a heavy dinner, my mom is always the first to say, “Better take your triphala!” And for good reason too. This Ayurvedic herb is one of the most famous, multi-use herbs for general wellness and maintaining healthy digestion. Because of this, even guests who stay at our house are not spared the suggestion to give triphala a try. Although it’s an acquired taste, I’m proud to say that I buy it by the pound and have benefited from its gentle herbal support over the years.

What is Triphala?

Triphala is an Ayurvedic herb made from a blend of three different fruit powders: amla (Emblica officinalis), haritake (Terminalia chebula), and bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica). With Ayurveda’s growing popularity, you may have recently heard of this popular blend online or in a magazine. However, references to the use of triphala date back to 1500 BCE, making triphala one of the longest-used herbs in the world! The powder itself is yellowish brown in color and slightly gritty in feel.

Capsules filled with triphala powder laying out on granite counter
What Are the Benefits of Triphala?

Triphala is traditionally used in Ayurvedic Medicine as a digestive tonic to promote digestive fire, aid in digestion, and promote mild laxative action. The three fruits that make up triphala each correspond to one of the three doshas in Ayurvedic medicine (a.k.a. types of energy): "fire energy", "earth/water energy", and "air/space energy", which makes it a suitable and balancing herb for all body types and constitutions. It’s commonly recommended by Ayurvedic practitioners for internal use to aid with general imbalances in the system because it supports immune health.

In addition to being taken on its own, you can find triphala mixed with other herbs in ready-made herbal products like these Hair, Skin & Nail Support Capsules. However, it can also be used topically in body care recipes like this herbal face mask.

Ceramic mug filled with triphala water

How to Take Triphala?

Triphala can be taken several different ways, depending on your preference. This herb is not for the faint of tongue as it tastes very bitter, sour, pungent, and astringent all at the same time, but I hope you’ll give it a try anyway! It’s generally recommended to take your triphala before going to bed, but it can be taken earlier in the day if needed. 

Here are a few different triphala-taking methods:

  1. Try it dry and wash it down: Place a 1/2 teaspoon of organic triphala powder in your mouth and wash it down with a big sip of lukewarm water. This is my preferred method, but it's not for everyone. If you position the triphala towards the back of your tongue and don’t inhale before you take the sip of water, you won’t be able to taste it as much.
  2. Mix it with water: Mix 1/2 teaspoon organic triphala with 1/4 cup lukewarm water. Stir and sip.
  3. Make your own triphala capsules: Use a capsule machine and organic triphala powder to make your own triphala capsules, and take one with lukewarm water. Or if you're short on time, buy some readymade organic triphala capsules.
  4. Mix it with honey or something sweet: In the case that triphala is just too “yucky” for you, try mixing 1/2 teaspoon organic triphala powder with a spoonful of honey or a 1/4 cup of sweet fruit juice.

I let my co-workers have the pleasure of trying method #1 (in the video below). Enjoy their reactions! 

 

Looking for more ways to use triphala?

Try Our Ayurvedic Face Mask Recipe with Triphala!

You may also be interested in: 

Three spoons laying out with ayurvedic herbs in them


Topics: Herbalism

Ek Ongkar

Written by Ek Ongkar on May 2, 2018

Ek Ongkar Khalsa was born and raised in Eugene, Oregon, but she’s no stranger to the ancient Indian wellness philosophy of Ayurveda. She’s had the pleasure of attending many health seminars by the world-renowned Ayurvedic physician, Dr. Partap Chauhan from Jiva Ayurveda. While spending three weeks in India at a Jiva clinic, she attended classes on traditional herbal remedies, Ayurvedic lifestyle, and even got to enjoy traditional Ayurvedic treatments along with traditional Ayurvedic Indian cuisine. Ek Ongkar holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from San Diego State University and worked as a Marketing Strategist at Mountain Rose Herbs for many years. You can often find her sipping chai, taking long walks on local woodland trails, and doing origami.


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Why You Should Try Ayurvedic Triphala (and How to Take It!)

Wooden bowl full of organic triphala powder

“Take your triphala,” may as well be the slogan of my household. After a questionable restaurant meal or a heavy dinner, my mom is always the first to say, “Better take your triphala!” And for good reason too. This Ayurvedic herb is one of the most famous, multi-use herbs for general wellness and maintaining healthy digestion. Because of this, even guests who stay at our house are not spared the suggestion to give triphala a try. Although it’s an acquired taste, I’m proud to say that I buy it by the pound and have benefited from its gentle herbal support over the years.

What is Triphala?

Triphala is an Ayurvedic herb made from a blend of three different fruit powders: amla (Emblica officinalis), haritake (Terminalia chebula), and bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica). With Ayurveda’s growing popularity, you may have recently heard of this popular blend online or in a magazine. However, references to the use of triphala date back to 1500 BCE, making triphala one of the longest-used herbs in the world! The powder itself is yellowish brown in color and slightly gritty in feel.

Capsules filled with triphala powder laying out on granite counter
What Are the Benefits of Triphala?

Triphala is traditionally used in Ayurvedic Medicine as a digestive tonic to promote digestive fire, aid in digestion, and promote mild laxative action. The three fruits that make up triphala each correspond to one of the three doshas in Ayurvedic medicine (a.k.a. types of energy): "fire energy", "earth/water energy", and "air/space energy", which makes it a suitable and balancing herb for all body types and constitutions. It’s commonly recommended by Ayurvedic practitioners for internal use to aid with general imbalances in the system because it supports immune health.

In addition to being taken on its own, you can find triphala mixed with other herbs in ready-made herbal products like these Hair, Skin & Nail Support Capsules. However, it can also be used topically in body care recipes like this herbal face mask.

Ceramic mug filled with triphala water

How to Take Triphala?

Triphala can be taken several different ways, depending on your preference. This herb is not for the faint of tongue as it tastes very bitter, sour, pungent, and astringent all at the same time, but I hope you’ll give it a try anyway! It’s generally recommended to take your triphala before going to bed, but it can be taken earlier in the day if needed. 

Here are a few different triphala-taking methods:

  1. Try it dry and wash it down: Place a 1/2 teaspoon of organic triphala powder in your mouth and wash it down with a big sip of lukewarm water. This is my preferred method, but it's not for everyone. If you position the triphala towards the back of your tongue and don’t inhale before you take the sip of water, you won’t be able to taste it as much.
  2. Mix it with water: Mix 1/2 teaspoon organic triphala with 1/4 cup lukewarm water. Stir and sip.
  3. Make your own triphala capsules: Use a capsule machine and organic triphala powder to make your own triphala capsules, and take one with lukewarm water. Or if you're short on time, buy some readymade organic triphala capsules.
  4. Mix it with honey or something sweet: In the case that triphala is just too “yucky” for you, try mixing 1/2 teaspoon organic triphala powder with a spoonful of honey or a 1/4 cup of sweet fruit juice.

I let my co-workers have the pleasure of trying method #1 (in the video below). Enjoy their reactions! 

 

Looking for more ways to use triphala?

Try Our Ayurvedic Face Mask Recipe with Triphala!

You may also be interested in: 

Three spoons laying out with ayurvedic herbs in them


Topics: Herbalism

Ek Ongkar

Written by Ek Ongkar on May 2, 2018

Ek Ongkar Khalsa was born and raised in Eugene, Oregon, but she’s no stranger to the ancient Indian wellness philosophy of Ayurveda. She’s had the pleasure of attending many health seminars by the world-renowned Ayurvedic physician, Dr. Partap Chauhan from Jiva Ayurveda. While spending three weeks in India at a Jiva clinic, she attended classes on traditional herbal remedies, Ayurvedic lifestyle, and even got to enjoy traditional Ayurvedic treatments along with traditional Ayurvedic Indian cuisine. Ek Ongkar holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from San Diego State University and worked as a Marketing Strategist at Mountain Rose Herbs for many years. You can often find her sipping chai, taking long walks on local woodland trails, and doing origami.