Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is an intestinal disorder that affects up to 20 percent of American adults, with women more likely to develop the disorder than men, according to the National Digestive Diseases Clearinghouse. Triphala is an herbal remedy with properties that may prevent or improve the symptoms of IBS. Talk to your doctor about triphala to determine if it might help you.
Causes and Symptoms
The exact cause of IBS is not known, although stress or an allergy to certain foods may trigger the disorder. It may also involve a malfunction of your immune system or a decrease in motility in the intestinal wall. Symptoms of IBS may differ from person to person, although they usually include abdominal pain or bloating and a change in bowel habits, either to constipation with hard, infrequent stools or to diarrhea, with watery, loose stools that occur often. Sometimes a person with IBS may have episodes of diarrhea followed by periods of constipation. Symptoms may be sporadic and severe or they may be chronic and worsen gradually over time.
Triphala
Triphala is a botanical preparation that contains three dried, powdered fruits: amla, or Emblica officinalis, harada, or Terminalia chebula and bihara, or Terminalia bellerica. All three fruits are produced by trees native to Asia and have been part of traditional Indian medicine, or Ayurveda, for thousands of years. Practitioners of Ayurveda use triphala to treat various ailments, including anemia, liver disease, asthma, fever, ulcers, inflammation and infections such as pneumonia and tuberculosis. The fruits contain several natural compounds that have properties potentially helpful in relieving symptoms of IBS.
Properties
Triphala contains flavonoids and other natural chemicals that are potent antioxidants. They help remove free radicals from your body, metabolic byproducts and environmental toxins that can damage your cells. In addition, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center summarizes findings from laboratory research indicating that triphala has anti-inflammatory activity, helps prevent or suppress diarrhea, reduces the growth of bacteria and generally boosts your immune system. Triphala also increases motility in your intestinal tract, helping move food along and lessening the likelihood of constipation. These properties of triphala may be of benefit in preventing episodes of IBS or speeding your recovery if you experience symptoms.
Recommendations
Triphala is available as powder or in capsules from most health food stores or Indian groceries. It is generally considered a safe supplement, although it may cause intestinal gas or stomach upset in some people. Triphala may interact with some medications. Consult your doctor to discuss triphala before adding it to your routine.
