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Triphala
Modern Health Benefits of an
Ancient Healing Compound
By Jim English
Courtesy: Nutrition Review Online Newsletter (http://www.nutritionreview.org/library/triphala.php)
Ayurveda is a 5,000 year-old healing tradition rooted in
ancient Indian culture. This vast body of healing knowledge –
sometimes referred to as the "Mother of All Healing" – has
recently come to the attention of Western medical researchers
seeking novel therapeutic compounds. While screening a number of
traditional Vedic formulas scientists discovered that one of the
most revered of all Ayurvedic compounds – Triphala – exhibits a
number of health benefits, including:
• Exhibits antioxidant activity
• Lowers cholesterol
• Normalizes blood pressure
• Inhibits HIV
• Reduces tumors in animals, and
• Protects and improves liver function
Triphala
Triphala is a botanical preparation comprised of equal parts of
three herbal fruits: Harada (Terminalia chebula, black myrobalan,
The Buddha’s Chosen Herb), Amla (Emblica officinalis or Indian
gooseberry), and Bihara (Terminalia bellerica).
Harada (Terminalia chebula) According to the renowned herbalist,
Dr. Michael Tierra, Tibetans so revere Harada that the fruit is
depicted in the hand of the "Medicine Buddha" in sacred
paintings. (1) Numerous studies have found that Terminalia
chebula (TC) supports digestion and aids in treating both acute
and chronic constipation.
Amla (Emblica officinalis) is the edible fruit from a small tree
native to India. As with Terminalia chebula, EO has been shown
to increase gastric emptying and to possess a broad spectrum of
antimicrobial activity against a number of test bacteria. (2)
Bihara (Terminalia bellerica) is rich in protein (40 percent)
and oils (35 percent), and is particularly high in the omega 3
essential fatty acid, linoleic acid.
Gastrointestinal Motility
Healthy digestion requires the coordination of a complex pattern
of contracting and relaxing muscles in the stomach and
intestines (gastric motility) for proper digestion and
absorption of nutrients. Gastrointestinal motility is disrupted
when the nerves and muscles of the GI tract fail to function in
a strong or coordinated fashion. Motility can be disrupted by
stress, inflammation (i.e. Crohn’s disease), disease (i.e.
muscular dystrophy, systemic sclerosis and amyloidosis) and from
use of over-the-counter and prescription medications.
Symptoms of motility disorder range from mild cases of heartburn
and constipation to more severe problems, such as chronic
vomiting, nausea, cramping, bloating, abdominal distention and
diarrhea after eating. The most prevalent form of motility
disturbance is Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which fully
accounts for 50 percent of all patients who go to a GI
specialist. (3)
Safe Alternative to Prokinetic Drugs
To increase GI muscle contractions and improve gastric emptying,
Western doctors often prescribe prokinetic drugs such as
Metoclopramide or Bethanechol. When researchers compared the
Triphala herb Harada (Terminalia chebula) to prokinetic drugs
they found that Terminalia chebula increased gastric emptying by
86 percent, compared to 76 percent for metoclopramide. Since
Terminalia is free of side effects, the herb may be a useful
alternative to the prokinetic drugs currently available. (4)
Antibacterial Effects
Recently published studies report that Terminalia exhibits
antibacterial activity against a number of bacterial species.
(5) One group of researchers found that Terminalia is effective
in inhibiting the urease activity of Helicobacter pylori (H.
pylori), a ubiquitous bacterium implicated in the development of
gastritis, ulcers and stomach cancers. (6)
Another research team has shown that extracts of Terminalia
chebula strongly inhibit the growth and adherence of
Streptococcus (S. mutans), a virulent cavity-inducing organism.
Oral rinsing with an extract of Terminalia chebula was found to
significantly reduce both total bacterial counts and
streptococcal counts in saliva samples. The protective effect
lasted for up to 3 hours after rinsing, demonstrating a
potential role for TC in the prevention of dental caries. (7)
Antiviral Effects
Terminalia has been found to possess antiviral activity.
Researchers have reported that Terminalia protects epithelial
cells against influenza A virus, supporting the traditional use
of Terminalia for aiding in recovery from acute respiratory
infections. (8) Terminalia has also demonstrated therapeutic
activity against herpes simplex virus (HSV) in in vivo tests.
(9) These findings prompted a team of Japanese researchers to
investigate Terminalia’s effects on human cytomegalovirus (CMV).
They found that Terminalia was effective in inhibiting the
replication of human cytomegalovirus (CMV) in vitro and in
immunosuppressed mice. Stating that "Terminalia chebula
significantly suppressed MCMV (murine CMV) yields in lungs of
treated mice," the researchers concluded that Terminalia may be
beneficial for the prevention of CMV diseases in
immunocompromised patients. (10)
Adaptogenic Benefits
Animal studies show that when extracts of Terminalia were
administered following induction of anaphylactic shock, serum
histamine levels were reduced, indicating that Terminalia may
possess a strong anti-anaphylactic action. (11) Indian
researchers have also shown that Amla (Emblica officinalis)
protected experimental animals when exposed to a variety of
biological, physical and chemical stressors. Oral Emblica was
shown to normalize phagocytic activity, fitting within the
definition of an adaptogen. Emblica was also found to protect
tissues from stress-induced free radical damage, with a strong
affinity for cells involved in prostaglandin synthesis. (12)
Antioxidant Effects
Because Emblica officinalis fruit (commonly known as amla) is
the world’s richest source of natural vitamin C, researchers
have attributed many of its traditional benefits to its
antioxidant properties. (13) In one study amla was found to be
more effective than vitamin C in improving lipoprotein values
and glucose tolerance. Volunteers given amla were compared to
controls receiving 500 mg/day of vitamin C. After 8 weeks the
amla group showed significant improvements in lipoprotein serum
profiles, including increased HDL, decreased LDL, and lower
total cholesterol levels. (14)
In addition to vitamin C, researchers at the Bose Institute in
Calcutta, India have also isolated a number of tannins in amla
that exhibit potent antioxidant activity. The antioxidant
effects of amla were measured on the basis of their effects on
rat brain concentrations of the oxidative free radical
scavenging enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT)
and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and lipid peroxidation. The
results were compared with effects induced by deprenyl, a
selective mono-amine oxidase (MAO) B inhibitor with well
documented antioxidant activity. Amla and deprenyl both
effectively increased SOD, CAT and GPX activity, with
concomitant decreases in lipid peroxidation when administered
once daily for seven days. These results indicate that the
antioxidant activity of amla may derive from the tannoids of the
fruits of the plant, which have vitamin C-like properties,
rather than vitamin C itself. (15)
Antitumor Effects
Indian researchers have shown that extracts of amla exhibit
antitumor activity. Solid tumors induced by DLA (Dalton’s
lymphoma ascites) cells were reduced significantly when mice
were fed either amla or an herbal preparation containing 50%
amla. Amla extract was also shown to increase the life span of
tumor bearing animals by up to 60%. The researchers theorize
that the antitumor activity of amla may partially be due to its
interaction with cell cycle regulation. (16)
Lipid Lowering and Antiatherosclerotic Effects
In addition to the previously reported effects of amla on
normalizing lipid profiles, Indian scientists have reported that
flavonoids extracted from amla exert highly potent hypolipidemic
and hypoglycemic activities. Moreover these flavonoids were
effective in raising the hemoglobin levels in rats. (17)
Amla has also been shown to possess potent antiatherosclerotic
effects. Researchers evaluated the lipid lowering effects of
amla in rabbits fed a cholesterol-rich diet to induce
hyperlipidemia. Following 60 days of supplementation with amla,
serum cholesterol, triglyceride, phospholipid and LDL levels
were lowered by 82%, 66%, 77% and 90%, respectively. The
researchers also reported a significant reduction in aortic
plaque deposits in rabbits treated with amla, leading
researchers to conclude that amla is "an effective hypolipidemic
agent and can be used as a pharmaceutical tool in hyperlipidemic
subjects." (18)
Conclusion
It is important for those of us who are schooled in western
medicine to recognize that many of the ancient Chinese and
Aryuvedic formulas contain healing potentials that are often
qualitatively different from the simple sum of each individual
ingredient. Triphala has shown itself to be one such herbal
combination. This herbal combination can have profound healing
benefits in complex, multi-organ systems. Its role in preventive
medicine cannot be minimized.
References ...................
1. Michael Tierra. The Wonders of Triphala: Ayurvedic Formula
for Internal Purification, Copyright © 1996.
2. Ahmad I, Mehmood Z, Mohammad F. Screening of some Indian
medicinal plants for their antimicrobial properties. J
Ethnopharmacol 1998 Sep;62(2):183-93
3. Paul E. Hyman, MD. Prokinetic Drugs and Gastrointestinal
Motility. The Messenger, Spring Edition 1996.Children’s Hospital
of Orange County, Orange, California.
4. Tamhane MD, Thorat SP, Rege NN, Dahanukar SA. Effect of oral
administration of Terminalia chebula on gastric emptying: an
experimental study. J Postgrad Med 1997 Jan-Mar;43(1):12-3.
5. Ahmad I, Mehmood Z, Moham mad F. Screening of some Indian
medicinal plants for their antimicrobial properties. J
Ethnopharmacol 1998 Sep;62(2):183-93.
6. Malekzadeh F, Ehsanifar H, Shahamat M, Levin M, Colwell RR..
Antibacterial activity of black myrobalan (Terminalia chebula
Retz) against Helicobacter pylori. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2001
Jul;18(1):85-8.
7. Jagtap AG, Karkera SG. Potential of the aqueous extract of
Terminalia chebula as an anticaries agent. J Ethnopharmacol 1999
Dec 15;68(1-3):299-306.
8. Badmaev V, Nowakowski M. Protection of epithelial cells
against influenza A virus by a plant derived biological response
modifier Ledretan-96. Phytother Res 2000 Jun;14(4):245-9.
9. Yukawa TA, Kurokawa M, Sato H, Yoshida Y, Kageyama S,
Hasegawa T, Namba T, Imakita M, Hozumi T, Shiraki K.
Prophylactic treatment of cytomegalovirus infection with
traditional herbs. Antiviral Res 1996 Oct;32(2):63-70.
10. Shiraki K, Yukawa T, Kurokawa M, Kageyama S. Cytomegalovirus
infection and its possible treatment with herbal medicines.
Nippon Rinsho 1998 Jan;56(1):156-60.
11. Shin TY, Jeong HJ, Kim DK, Kim SH, Lee JK, Kim DK, Chae BS,
Kim JH, Kang HW, Lee CM, Lee KC, Park ST, Lee EJ, Lim JP, Kim
HM, Lee YM. Inhibitory action of water soluble fraction of
Terminalia chebula on systemic and local anaphylaxis. J
Ethnopharmacol 2001 Feb;74(2):133-40.
12. Rege NN, Thatte UM, Dahanukar SA. Adaptogenic properties of
six rasayana herbs used in Ayurvedic medicine. Phytother Res
1999 Jun;13(4):275-91.
13. Scartezzini P, Speroni E. Review on some plants of Indian
traditional medicine with antioxidant activity. J Ethnopharmacol
2000 Jul;71(1-2):23-43.
14. Manjunatha S, Jaryal AK, Bijlani RL, Sachdeva U, Gupta SK.
Effect of Chyawanprash and vitamin C on glucose tolerance and
lipoprotein profile. Indian J Physiol Pharmacol 2001
Jan;45(1):71-9.
15. Bhattacharya A, Chatterjee A, Ghosal S, Bhattacharya SK.
Antioxidant activity of active tannoid principles of Emblica
officinalis (amla). 2: Indian J Exp Biol 1999 Jul;37(7):676-80.
16. Jose JK, Kuttan G, Kuttan R. Antitumour activity of Emblica
officinalis. J Ethnopharmacol 2001 May;75(2-3):65-9.
17. Anila L, Vijaalakshmi NR. Beneficial effects of flavonoids
from Sesamum indicum, Emblica officinalis and Momordica
charantia. Phytother Res 2000 Dec;14(8):592-5.
18. Mathur R, Sharma A, Dixit VP, Varma M. Hypolipidaemic effect
of fruit juice of Emblica officinalis in cholesterol-fed
rabbits. J Ethnopharmacol 1996 Feb;50(2):61-8.
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