Triphala is a classic Ayurvedic herb most commonly used as a gentle bowel tonic, promoting digestion and regular bowel movements. Triphala translates to “3 fruits” referring to three fruits native to the Indian subcontinent: Amalaki, Bibhitaki, and Haritaki. These three fruits combine to form a synergistic affect that pulls ama, or toxins, from the digestive tract to be cleared from the bodily system. This thereby increases the function of the digestive tract.
Those who suffer from irregular elimination would benefit greatly from taking Triphala. The colon is considered the seat of Vata, the air and ether bioenergy. When bowel movements are not regular, are hard, or dry, Vata has been aggravated and the colon is not functioning properly. Triphala balances the “wind” effect on the colon to help get things moving and support optimal absorption.
However, Triphala is a beneficial herb for everyone. One of the unique things about Triphala is it identifies what taste is missing from one’s diet; whatever the herb tastes like is the missing taste. Why is this important? In Ayurveda there are six naturally occurring tastes: sour, pungent, bitter, astringent, sweet, and salty. When all six are included in the diet, they bring about balance of the doshas and nourish the plasma to feed all body tissues. Triphala contains all tastes, except salty. You are bringing balance to your being by incorporating the appropriate taste into your diet.
The recommended use of Triphala is a half-teaspoon in powdered form at night or morning. You can mix it into a cup of hot water and taken on an empty stomach. The most common tastes one will experience are bitter or astringent, likely because these two tastes are lacking in the American diet. These are not the most pleasant tastes, but over time the taste can evolve to sweet.
Triphala is beneficial for regularity of bowel movements, improving digestion and absorption, and nourishing all tissues of the body. It balances all doshas and promotes proper function of the colon, the seat of Vata dosha. Let Triphala be an indicator of doshic balance in your body through observing the change in taste over time. Give it a try and let us know what you taste!
Triphala: What Taste Is Missing From Your Diet?
