Triphala Side Effects
As Western medicine becomes more complicated and less accessible to the average consumer, people are turning to older forms of healing. Triphala is a staple of Ayurvedic medicine which has been practiced in India and the Middle East for centuries. It has a wide range of healing properties, and almost no side effects.
What Is Triphala?
The word "triphala" means three fruits, and it refers to those from which triphala is made. Amalaki, (Embelica officinalis), bibhitaki (Terminalia belerica) and haritaki (Terminalia chebula) are the fruits from trees that grow in India and the Middle East.
How Triphala Is Made
The fruits of the amalaki, bibhitaki and haritaki trees are harvested, dried, ground and blended into a powder that can be mixed with water, brewed as a tea or taken in tablet or capsule form.
Uses of Triphala
Triphala has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries as an aid to digestion, and an internal body cleanse. The powder can also be mixed with water into a thick paste and applied externally to clear rashes and ease the pain of sunburn. When mixed with boiling water and allowed to cool thoroughly, triphala is used as an eye-wash and is believed to help alleviate the symptoms of cataracts, glaucoma and conjunctivitus.
Benefits
A December 2005 report in the Journal of Experimental and Clinical Cancer Research done by the Radiation and Cancer Biology Laboratory at Jawaharlal Nehru University states that triphala was found to be effective in reducing the incidents of tumors in animals. It was also shown to have a significant and beneficial effect on increasing antioxidants.
Side Effects
Triphala's only side effects are a possible increase in gastrointestinal gas and diarrhea when first used. For that reason, it is not recommended for use by women who are pregnant or nursing. As of 2009, triphala has not been either suspected or proven to have toxic side effects or contraindications with any prescribed western medications.
Tags: mixed with, Ayurvedic medicine, India Middle, India Middle East, Middle East, mixed with water