Triphalā
The three-fruit blend, āmalakī, bibhītakī and harītakī; ayurveda's most trusted daily rasāyana and gentle regulator of the bowels.
Herb · Dried fruit pulp of three trees, in equal parts
Energetics
Taste (rasa)
- Sweet (madhura)
- Sour (amla)
- Bitter (tikta)
- Pungent (kaṭu)
- Astringent (kaṣāya)
Properties (guṇa / vīrya)
- Light (laghu)
- Dry (rūkṣa)
- Mild (mṛdu)
Dosha effect
- Balances vāta
- Balances pitta
- Balances kapha
Traditional indications
- Gentle, non-habit-forming regulation of the bowels (anulomana)
- Daily rasāyana, traditionally taken for eyes, digestion and longevity
- Traditionally regarded as beneficial for the eyes (netrya)
- Scrapes mild accumulation (lekhana) without depleting
Indications record traditional ayurvedic usage for study, they are not medical claims and not a recommendation to treat yourself.
Contraindications & cautions
- Pregnancy and the postpartum period without guidance
- Active diarrhoea, dysentery or acute digestive illness
- Bleeding disorders or anticoagulant medication, consult a practitioner
- Not alongside purgative therapy without supervision
Herbs interact with medications, conditions and pregnancy; review anything here with a qualified practitioner before use.
Traditional preparation
½–1 tsp of the powder stirred into warm water an hour before bed is the classic dose; for a milder tea, steep the powder in hot water for 5–10 minutes and strain. Tablets are a convenient modern form, follow the maker's dose, and think of it as a course with rest days, not a lifelong nightly habit.
In the tradition
Three fruits, five tastes, three doshas balanced: each fruit in triphalā leans toward one dosha, harītakī for vāta, āmalakī for pitta, bibhītakī for kapha; which is why the blend is the tradition’s default daily tonic. It works with the body’s own rhythm rather than forcing it, which is the whole ayurvedic idea of gentle.
Sources & further reading
- Caraka-saṃhitā , Agniveśa (redactor) (rasāyana chapters, harītakī among the foremost rejuvenatives)
- Yoga of Herbs , David Frawley & Vasant Lad
Classical citations mark where a tradition is drawn on; modern references are further reading, never prescriptions.