Ayurveda houses an array of herbs you can use as natural medicines. For instance, Triphala is one of the most old and powerful poly-herbal medicines. It consists of three types of local Indian dry fruits, namely Amla, Haritaki and Bibhitaki. These herbs collectively strengthen your immune, digestive, and dental health. Above all, it clears toxins in your digestive tract and helps food move along easily. Thus, a range of practitioners recommend Triphala for weight loss.

Individual Components – Amla, Haritaki, Bibhitaki

The selling factor of Triphala is in its polyherbal combination. This makes it more powerful than its single components. This is to say, synergistic herbs are generally more preferable to boost therapy. To understand this combined effect, we will need to look each of its components individually.

Amla or the Indian Gooseberry

This is one of the oldest fruits of the Indian subcontinent, which grows on a small to medium-sized tree. It is typically seen as a sour, sharp, and fibrous berry. Along similar lines, Ayurveda affirms that this fruit contains all the five tastes apart from saltiness (sweet, sour, bitter, pungent and astringent), of which sourness is most dominant. However, it provides a dry and cooling aftertaste. It is most effective to counter pitta dominance.

Amla contain high levels of vitamin C, minerals, and amino acids, in addition to plant compounds such as tannins and embicol. It contains restorative, anti anaemic, and immunity boosting properties. Further, it clears out the lungs and respiratory tract. There are two ways in which it aids weight loss namely, cholesterol level reduction, and blood sugar regulation.

First, the flavonoids present in Amla can reduce blood serum lipid levels. It also aids the degradation of the cholesterol synthesis process. Secondly, it provides ideal control of fasting blood sugars (FBS) as well as glycemic levels. Further, proper pancreatic health can also manage blood sugar levels.

Haritaki or Chebulan Myrobalan

This is a small and green medicinal fruit which is native to the Middle East, India, China, and Thailand. It provides you with each of the five tastes, yet is astringent dominant. Thus, the whole fruit is beneficial to tridoshic management. However, it specifically restores vata dosha balance due to its light and airy nature. Overall, it has a hot potency and a sweet post digestive taste.

First and foremost, Haritaki can prevent heart diseases. It enables greater insulin production from b-pancreatic cells. In this manner, it breaks down starch to glucose. Thus, haritaki powder can ease multiple diabetic symptoms such as excessive urination and thirst.

Secondly, it serves as a traditional remedy to improve gut health. This is due to the carminative nature of the fruit which breaks down food particles, enhances digestive juice secretion and increases nutrient absorption. Further, it relieves symptoms such as abdominal gas, distention, and cramps. By this effect, it can treat gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhoea, constipation, ulcers and stomach pain.

Most importantly, Haritaki is essential to weight loss. It reduces toxic material, known as ama, while decreasing hunger pangs and the need for junk food. Moreover, it lowers the incidence of low-density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol. Consequently, it improves cholesterol and aids weight loss.

Bibhitaki or Belliric Myrobalans

Bibhitaki is a small fruit from a large herbal deciduous plant. It is dominantly astringent in taste. However, it holds a sweet post digestive effect. It has a light and dry texture, and a hot potency. Overall, this helps to regulate blood cholesterol levels and bone health.

Just like the other two herbs, Bhibhitaki is essential to weight loss. It achieves this by managing lipid levels lining the organs. Further, it naturally detoxifies and rejuvenates your internal organs. Thus, it eliminates excessive fat naturally.

Secondly, Bibhitaki can alleviate stress levels through ethanolic extracts. These lower your cortisol levels, and makes fat reduction easier. Along similar lines, it can ward away high blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Overall, this herb lowers cholesterol and improves insulin sensitivity. Both these factors are crucial to weight loss.

Polyherbal Effect on Weight Loss

Multiple studies demonstrate how these three herbs – Amla, Haritaki, and Bibhitaki – work perfectly to ensure weight loss. These often overlap in their benefits, which can supplement and magnify them. Thus, the benefits of weight loss are due to the following four reasons.

First, it reduces glucose and cholesterol levels. This is mainly due to the prevention of glycation prevents diabetes by keeping blood sugar levels low. Moreover, it lowers triglycerides and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels alongside lipid levels. In this manner, it decreases body fat levels and calorie intake.

Second, it serves a protective function due to its high antioxidant levels. For instance, it contains vitamin C, polyphenols, and tannins, all of which are natural plant compounds. These work as a rasayana or rejuvenator for the colon. Further, they can fight free radicals which cause cell damage, inflammation, and disease. As a result, it can prevent heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or early ageing.

Third, it works as a natural laxative. The presence of fibre helps with peristalsis and frequent bowel movements, both of which are key to digestive health. Likewise, it fights constipation, inflammation, and toxins, and retains fluid levels. Most importantly, it does not expose you to side effects such as ever the counter medicines. Thus, this fruit is crucial to tackling gastrointestinal ailments.

Dosage of Consumption

You can consume Triphala as a powder, liquid, or powder. Make sure to have it on an empty stomach for best absorption. Doctors recommend a dosage of 500 mg – 1 gm per day, although you can alter under consultation depending on your needs. While larger doses can help to treat ailments such as constipation, it may also create unwanted side effects such as diarrhoea. Thus, you will want to increase your dosage only gradually.

Powdered versions are most popular and easy to use. The most popular remedy is to mix half a teaspoon in warm water (with or without honey) and consume it immediately. Likewise, you can first form an edible paste by mixing the powder with ghee or honey. After that, you can dissolve this in water. Make sure to drink this before bedtime or in between meals for best effects.

Potential Side Effects

Despite the marvellous soothing effects, you must be cautionary of certain negative ones that may accompany Triphala consumption.

First, it may cause you abdominal discomfort or diarrhoea if you consume this in large doses. This is due its laxative effects. Secondly, the effects of Triphala can be potentially dangerous to pregnant or lactating women and children. Likewise, its amla content can increase risks of bruising or bleeding, especially among those who are prone to bleeding disorders. Thus, these populations should steer clear of the herb.

Above all, be sure to consult your expert before consuming this herb regularly. It can clash with the effects of other certain medicines you may be taking, especially digestive or cardiac-related ones. An expert will give you a safe and effective method and dosage. Thus, you can reap the benefits of Triphala without any hassle.

Takeaways

Triphala is an invaluable ancient herbal remedy of Ayurveda. It can give you valuable rejuvenating and revealing effects. Most importantly, it maintains tridoshic harmony which keeps you disease free. Therefore, it works well as a long-term supplement. However, be sure to seek consultation prior to dosage and consumption. Also be aware of any existing bodily conditions, ailments, or medications you are taking to limit the side effects of Triphala.

Find out more about the Kerala Ayurvedic treatment for weight loss treatment here. 

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