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Triphala

Triphala is an Ayurvedic blend of three dried fruits (amalaki, bibhitaki and haritaki) that the tradition uses as a digestive and rejuvenative rasayana. Small randomised trials suggest a triphala mouthrinse lowers plaque and gum inflammation scores about as much as chlorhexidine, and give very uncertain signals for blood lipids and body weight. No claim reaches moderate certainty because the trials are few, small, heterogeneous and use varied formulations; product quality is the main safety concern.

  • Longevity

Evidence retrieved up to

What the research shows

Triphala supplementation may modestly improve blood lipids and body weight measures in adults with overweight or raised blood lipids, but the evidence is very uncertain.

Very low certaintyThis is uncertain; treat it as a lead, not a finding.
Take care: see the safety noteBenefit

Who this is about

adults with overweight or raised blood lipids

Practical note

Graded very low: a 2021 systematic review of 12 small randomised trials (749 participants) found reductions in only some studies and did not pool results; downgraded for inconsistency, indirectness (mixed formulations, some with other herbs) and imprecision. Trials used from 250 mg to 10 g a day for 4 weeks to 12 months. Fasting glucose fell in participants with diabetes but not in those without.

Vegan note

Triphala itself is a powder of three dried fruits and is plant-based; the classical Triphala Rasayana preparation adds honey and ghee, which are not vegan.

Safety note

Trials reported no serious adverse events; one trial reported loose stools, nausea, taste changes and tiredness. Herbal product quality varies.

Sources

As part of regular oral hygiene, triphala mouthrinse may help reduce dental plaque and gum inflammation scores, performing similarly to chlorhexidine mouthrinse in short trials.

Low certaintyFurther research is likely to change this.
No known concerns at usual amountsBenefit

Who this is about

children and adults with plaque-associated gum inflammation

Practical note

Graded low: meta-analyses of randomised trials (7 trials in mixed populations, 5 in children) compared triphala with chlorhexidine rather than placebo; downgraded for very high heterogeneity (I2 above 90%) and small, short trials with risk of bias.

Vegan note

Triphala itself is a powder of three dried fruits and is plant-based; the classical Triphala Rasayana preparation adds honey and ghee, which are not vegan.

Sources

Some Ayurvedic herbal products sold online, including those made in the US, contain detectable lead, mercury or arsenic.

Low certaintyFurther research is likely to change this.
Take care: see the safety noteRisk

Who this is about

adults buying Ayurvedic herbal products online

Practical note

Graded low: a single 2008 cross-sectional survey of 193 products bought online in 2005; indirect to triphala because it sampled Ayurvedic products in general, with metals more common in rasa shastra preparations that combine herbs with metals.

Safety note

Product quality is the main safety concern: metal-containing products in the survey exceeded acceptable daily intake standards, and three quarters claimed Good Manufacturing Practices.

Sources

What the tradition holds

Ayurveda uses triphala to support regular, comfortable bowel movements in adults.

Take care: see the safety noteBenefit

Who this is about

adults

The tradition's frame

Ayurveda

Ayurveda uses triphala as a pillar of digestive care, describing it as digestive, a bowel tonic at low doses and a mild laxative at normal doses that supports elimination.

Practical note

This is a claim of the tradition; human evidence for bowel regularity is limited to small, mostly uncontrolled studies, and reviewers call for well-designed trials.

Vegan note

Triphala itself is a powder of three dried fruits and is plant-based; the classical Triphala Rasayana preparation adds honey and ghee, which are not vegan.

Safety note

Loose stools were among the adverse effects reported in a trial of triphala; herbal products vary in quality.

Sources

Ayurveda classes triphala as a rasayana and holds that regular use supports healthy ageing and vitality in adults.

Take care: see the safety noteBenefit

Who this is about

adults

The tradition's frame

Ayurveda

Ayurveda classifies triphala as a tridoshic rasayana, a rejuvenative suited to all constitutions that supports strength, immunity and longevity.

Practical note

No human trials of triphala on ageing outcomes were found; this remains a claim of the tradition.

Vegan note

Triphala itself is a powder of three dried fruits and is plant-based; the classical Triphala Rasayana preparation adds honey and ghee, which are not vegan.

Safety note

Herbal products vary in quality; contamination with heavy metals has been found in some Ayurvedic products sold online.

Sources