Triphala powder is made from three types of dried fruits, baritaki, bibbitaki and amalaki. Taken together, they are most commonly consumed to keep the colon regular. In Ayurveda, the 3,000-year-old health system that originates in India, triphala is said to balance vata in the colon. Ayurveda defines three basic mind/body constitutions, or doshas: vata, meaning ether, pitta, meaning fire and kapha, or earth. Triphala can also be used as an eye wash to reduce eye irritation from allergies. Check with a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner or Ayurvedic physician to determine if triphala is appropriate for you.
Mild Laxative
Triphala powder can be consumed to help reestablish normal daily bowel movements, according to Vasant Lad, author of "The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies." He writes that as a mild laxative, triphala powder can be taken with a cup of hot water at least 90 minutes after dinner. The dried herbs are effective for moving waste through the digestive tract, and Lad writes that triphala can be taken daily for months.
Rasayana
Triphala can also be taken as a tri-doshic rasyana, or overall tonic. It is believed to be an antioxidant and to have antibacterial properties. According to Ayurveda, triphala is appropriate for all doshas, and by helping to keep the gastrointestinal tract clear and functioning optimally, it is believed to be a preventative herbal formula.
Eye Wash
Triphala is also used for helping to correct early stages of eye disorders including glaucoma and cataracts. A common use of triphala powder is to use it as an eye wash with an eye cup. A very small amount of triphala powder is diluted in filtered water and used as an eye wash and the eyes are immediately rinsed with clear water.
According to the National Institutes of Health, a study done in 2005 showed a nearly 78 percent reduction in cancer in mice. No studies have been done specifically regarding the use of triphala for the colon or eye health to date by NIH.
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