ABSTRACT
Triphala (TPL) is a herbal formulation consisting of the dried and powdered fruits of three plants-Terminalia chebula, Emblica ofcinalis, and Terminalia bellerica-in equal proportions (Triphala is a Sanskrit word that means three [tri] fruits [phala]). It is an important medicine of the “rasayana” group and is believed to promote health, immunity, and longevity (Jagetia et al., 2002). TPL has long been known in India to be an excellent laxative and to cure several digestive problems and other ailments of the intestine. It even seems to work as an effective antidiarrheal agent (Biradar et al., 2007). This formulation, rich in antioxidants, is a frequently used ayurvedic medicine to treat many diseases, such as anemia, jaundice, constipation, asthma, fever, and chronic ulcers. Most people practicing ayurvedic medicine consume TPL as a “health tonic.” These properties of TPL that would have been otherwise just considered folklore are now being con‹rmed by scientists using the latest available technology. Furthermore, TPL is also under investigation for newer health effects.
