Wellbeing 003 --- Triphala: The Rejuvenator

What tastes like mud, but is a wonderful rejuvenator and rasayana drug? It is the ayurvedic formulation called triphala. Made from equal quantities of Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula and Terminalia bellerica (called nellikkai, kadukkai and thandrikkai in Tamil and amlaki, haritaki and bibitaki in Sanskrit), it is indeed one of the most versatile drugs in the ayurvedic formulary. I take about half teaspoonful of the triphala in warm water every night; I am still to start liking its taste after years of use. My husband on the contrary looks forward to his triphala nightcap.

Triphala is the mainstay of any rejuvenation program and is capable of imparting youthful vitality and increasing the receptivity of the mind and sense organs. It is useful in treating modern lifestyle diseases like diabetes, blood pressure and obesity. It is a depleting drug and helps release and reduce body fat. It is the drug of choice to set right your digestive system and to maintain your colon and spleen in a healthy condition. It has a gentle laxative effect for the treatment of mild constipation and helps to tone the digestive tract. It is a balanced formula for eliminating excess doshas and toxins from the body and keeping the digestive and excretory systems functioning smoothly.

A decanted and filtered solution of triphala is extremely useful in the treatment of conjunctivitis. During the periodic outbreaks of Madras eye in Chennai, I have used it as a prophylactic and it works admirably. Mix half a teaspoon of triphala powder in half a glass of water. Boil and cool the solution. Let it settle and then filter through a fine muslin cloth. Use an eyecup or cup your palms and bathe the eye with the solution. Conjunctivitis being a viral infection responds well to this treatment which is simple yet very effective. Triphala powder is also useful in treating minor cuts and wounds and helps heal them quickly. Triphala is an important ingredient in triphaladi oil, which if used daily, helps in maintaining the dark colour and vitality of your tresses.

There is a detailed reference in Astanga Sangraha (written by Vagbhata in 4th-5th Century AD) where the properties of triphala and its three ingredients are explained. Emblica officinalis (nellikkai) is a rejuvenator par excellence and keeps the three doshas i.e. kapha, pitta and vata in balance. In modern allopathic terms, nellikkai is known to have loads of vitamin C (almost 20 times the amount in an orange) and is therefore a powerful anti-oxidant. Terminalia chebula (kadukkai) increases the power of digestion and prevents ageing. Terminalia bellerica (thandrikkai) helps hair growth and relieves cough and throat infections. Together, they are an unbeatable combination that all adults should consume daily to stay fit and healthy. It is, however, contraindicated in pregnancy and for the emaciated.

Triphala is best eaten as a powder or chooranam with warm water but can also be taken as tablets. It is available in most ayurvedic pharmacies. It can easily be made at home. Take equal quantities of dried kadukkai, thandrikkai and nellikkai. Remove stones by using a traditional ammikkal or a hammer. Grind finely, sieve and use.

--- The writer was earlier Health Secretary, Govt. of Tamil Nadu

and is currently CMD, TN Industrial Investment Corporation.

Sheelarani.arogyamantra@gmail.com