Triphala is a popular ayurvedic medicine--a combination of three herbs--used to treat a wide variety of ailments. Triphala Gold is a particular brand of triphala that is sustainably and organically produced. Although the science of ayurveda has a long history, more research is needed to confirm the efficacy of triphala.
Triphala
Triphala is an herbal formulation that is widely used in ayurveda. Triphala is made up of equal parts of three medicinal plants: amla (Emblica officinalis), myrobalan (Terminalia chebula), and belleric myrobalan (Terminalia belerica). It is used to treat anemia, jaundice, constipation, asthma, infections, chronic ulcers, inflammation, obesity, hypercholesterolemia and cancer, according to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.
Ayurveda
Ayurveda is the traditional healing science of India, where it has been practiced for at least 5,000 years. The word ayurveda comes from the Sanskrit words ayus, meaning life or lifespan, and veda, meaning knowledge. Ayurveda emphasizes prevention of illness by maintaining balance in body and mind through proper food and drink consumption and lifestyle and uses herbs to treat illness when necessary, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Triphala Gold
Triphala Gold is a trademarked product introduced in 2006 by Planetary Herbals, a company based in Soquel, Calif. According to the company's website, Triphala Gold is "sustainably wildcrafted on certified organic land in the foothills of Sri Lanka or Northeastern Madhya Pradesh," a state in central India. The sustainable and organic production methods differentiate Triphala Gold from other triphala products, which do not make such claims.
Sustainability
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency defines sustainability as the creation and maintenance of conditions under which humans and nature "can exist in productive harmony, and fulfill the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations." Farmers and other workers who produce Triphala Gold are more likely than those producing triphala without a sustainability claim to be paid fairly and work in safe conditions. The USDA defines organic production as a system that integrates cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. Triphala Gold does not use chemically formulated fertilizers, growth stimulants, antibiotics or pesticides and does not contain the chemical residues which may be present in conventionally produced triphala.
Warning
Adverse reactions to triphala may include intestinal gas, stomach upset and diarrhea, notes the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Planetary Herbals suggests that women who are pregnant or nursing consult a health care provider prior to taking triphala products.
Member Comments