Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesSide EffectsPrecautionsDosageOverdoseInteractionsStorageSources & What to Look ForFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
Side Effects
Precautions
Dosage
Overdose
Interactions
Storage
Sources & What to Look For
Frequently Asked Questions
Triphalahas been studied for health benefits including weight loss and improving gingivitis. However, research is limited for these and other health claims, including anti-aging and anti-inflammatory effects. There also may be side effects, and drug interactions can occur.
Triphala is an herbal preparation traditionally used inAyurveda. Triphala means “three fruits” in Sanskrit and is a combination of three different fruits: Indian Gooseberry,Bibhitaki,andHaritaki. It’s available in powder, juice, tincture, extract, capsule, or tablet form.
In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate supplements the way it regulates prescription drugs. That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says. Whenchoosing a supplement, look for independently tested products and consult a healthcare provider, registered dietitian nutritionist (RD or RDN), or pharmacist.
Supplement Facts
Active Ingredient(s):Tannins, gallic acid, ellagic acid, chebuilinic acid (antioxidant)
Suggested Dose: More research is needed on dosage for certain ages and conditions
Safety Considerations:Use caution with certain medications for diabetes and hypertension
Uses of Triphala
Gingivitis
In 2016, arandomized controlled clinical triallooked at the use of Triphala mouthwash for controllinggingivitis. The study included 90 people diagnosed with gingivitis who were assigned to one of three groups: Placebo mouthwash, Triphala mouthwash, orchlorhexidinemouthwash.
At the end of the two-month study, the people in the Triphala mouthwash group had decreased gingivitis inflammation that was comparable to the chlorhexidine mouthwash group (traditionally used for gingivitis). However, more research is needed to determine the long-term effects of using Triphala for oral health.
Weight Loss
It is important to note that little scientific evidence supports the effectiveness of many weight-loss dietary supplements. Be especially wary of supplement manufacturers that make health claims about weight loss that sound too good to be true. Instead, talk to a healthcare provider or a registered dietitian about the safest and most effective way for you to manage your weight.
Triphala has been studied for its role in weight loss. In 2012, arandomized, double-blind, placebo-control studywas done with 62 people with obesity. The participants were given either a placebo or 10 grams (g) of Triphala. The participants did not follow any specific diet recommendations during the study.
At the end of the three-month study, the participants who took the Triphala had an average weight loss of 4.82 kilograms (10.6 pounds) and a decrease in hip circumference. However, more research is needed to determine the long-term effects of using Triphala for weight loss.
Other Suggested Uses of Triphala
While Triphala has been studied in lab and animal studies for the below conditions, there isNOTenough evidence to support its use for any of these conditions. More research is needed before using Triphala for the below diseases. Please discuss your use of Triphala with your registered dietitian nutritionist, pharmacist, or healthcare provider.
Triphala has been studied for its use in:
The research on using Triphala for any of these reasons in humans is limited.
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What Are the Side Effects of Triphala?
Consuming a supplement like Triphala may cause side effects. Triphala acts as a mildlaxative. Therefore, it may cause side effects like:
These side effects may even happen if you take a smaller dose. If the side effects do not improve, stop using Triphala and talk to your provider.
Pregnant or lactating people and/or children should not use Triphala because it has not been proven to be safe.
Nutrition Information for Triphala PowderIn 1 teaspoon (2.8 grams):Calories: 10Protein: 0gFat: 0gCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 1gSugar: 0g
Nutrition Information for Triphala Powder
In 1 teaspoon (2.8 grams):Calories: 10Protein: 0gFat: 0gCarbohydrates: 3gFiber: 1gSugar: 0g
In 1 teaspoon (2.8 grams):
Dosage: How Much Triphala Should I Take?
Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your needs.
There are no guidelines for the appropriate use or amount of Triphala. There are no standard doses, and there are many different ways (e.g., capsules, extract, juice, powder, tablet, tinctures) to consume it. More research is needed on dosages for specific groups of people and health needs.
If you are interested in trying Triphala, talk to your provider. They can guide you on how much to use.
What Happens If I Take Too Much Triphala?
As a rule of thumb, never take more than the manufacturer’s recommended dosage. If you have side effects, stop taking Triphala and call your provider.
You may want to avoid Triphala if you are takingmedications for diabetesandhypertensionbecause it could make them less effective.
You may need to avoid Triphala if you’re taking any of the following:
Always carefully read the ingredient list and nutrition facts panel of a supplement to know which ingredients and how much of each ingredient is included. Please review this supplement label with your healthcare provider to discuss potential interactions with foods, other supplements, and medications.
Verywell / Anastasia Tretiak
How to Store Triphala
Store Triphala according to the manufacturer’s directions. Discard as indicated on packaging.
Sources of Triphala & What to Look For
Triphala has both food and supplement sources.
Food Sources of Triphala
Triphala is a combination of three fruits (Indian Gooseberry,Bibhitaki,andHaritaki).It is not normally found for sale in just one form.
Supplement Sources of Triphala
Triphala is sold as a powder, juice, tincture, extract, capsule, or tablet. Triphala supplements are available in specialty health stores that sell vitamins, including online retailers.
Summary
Triphala has been long used in Ayurveda. It has been studied for use in some health conditions, but more research is needed in humans to determine its benefits and safety.
You can purchase Triphala from vitamin supplement stores. However, it is important to note that no supplement is intended to cure or treat any disease. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are interested in using Triphala.
Frequently Asked QuestionsStudies have looked at Triphala’s uses in weight lossand gingivitis.However, more research is needed. You should always consult your healthcare provider before starting a new supplement and follow their medical advice.In Sanskrit, Triphala means “three fruits” and is a combination of three different fruits: Indian Gooseberry,Bibhitaki,andHaritaki.As a rule of thumb, never take more than the manufacturer’s recommended dosage. If you experience side effects, stop taking Triphala and call your healthcare provider.
Studies have looked at Triphala’s uses in weight lossand gingivitis.However, more research is needed. You should always consult your healthcare provider before starting a new supplement and follow their medical advice.
In Sanskrit, Triphala means “three fruits” and is a combination of three different fruits: Indian Gooseberry,Bibhitaki,andHaritaki.
As a rule of thumb, never take more than the manufacturer’s recommended dosage. If you experience side effects, stop taking Triphala and call your healthcare provider.
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Pradeep AR, Suke DK, Martande SS, Singh SP, Nagpal K, Naik SB.Triphala, a new herbal mouthwash for the treatment of gingivitis: a randomized controlled clinical trial.J Periodontol.2016;87:1352-1359. doi:10.1902/jop.2016.130406
Kamali SH, Khalaj AR, Hasani-Ranjbar S, et al.Efficacy of ‘Itrifal Saghir’, a combination of three medicinal plants in the treatment of obesity: a randomized controlled trip.Daru.2012;2:411-420. doi:10.1186/2008-2231-20-33
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Dhanalakshmi S, Devi RS, Srikumar R, et al.Protective effect of Triphala on cold stress-induced behavioral and biochemical abnormalities in rats.Yakugaku Zasshi. 2007;127:1863-1867. doi:10.1248/yakushi.127.1863
Patel DK, Kumar R, Laloo D, Hemalatha S.Diabetes mellitus: an overview of its pharmacological aspects and reported medicinal plants having antidiabetic activity.Asian Pac J Trop Biomed.2012;2:411-420. doi:10.1016/S2221-1691(12)60067-7
Saravanan S, Srikumar R, Manikandan S, et al.Hypolipidemic effect of triphala in experimentally induced hypercholesterolemic rats.Yakugaku Zasshi. 2007; 127:385-38. doi:10.1248/yakushi.127.385
Kaur S, Michael H, Arora S, et al.The in vitro cytotoxic and apoptotic activity of Triphala – an Indian herbal drug.Journal of Ethnopharmacology. 2005;97:15-20. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2004.09.050
Kalaiselvan S, Rasool M.The anti-inflammatory effect of triphala in arthritic-induced rats.Pharm Biol. 2015;53:51-60. doi:10.3109/13880209.2014.910237
Varma SR, Sivaprakasam TO, Mishra A, et al.Protective effects of triphala on dermal fibroblasts and human keratinocytes.PLoS One. 2016;11:e0145921. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0145921
Moolihai Organics.Health benefits of Triphala.
Kirk J, Dunker K.Dietary counseling: the ingredient for successfully addressing the use of herbal supplements and probiotics in chronic kidney disease.Advances in Chronic Kidney Disease. 2014;21(4):377-384. doi:10.1053/j.ackd.2014.05.001
Ponnusankar S, Pandit S, Babu R, Bandyopadhyay A, Mukherjee PK.Cytochrome P450 inhibitory potential of Triphala—a Rasayana from Ayurveda.J Ethnopharmacol.2011;133(1):120-125. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2010.09.022
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