Triphala: A Miracle Herb in the Field of Dentistry

Triphala is one of the well recognized Indian ayurvedic herbal formulation consisting of dried and powdered fruits of three medicinal plants namely Terminalia Bellerica Roxb (Bibhitaki), Terminalia chebula Retz (Haritaki) and Embellica officinalis Gaertn (Amalaki) [1]. There is a folk saying in India which says, “No Mother? Do not worry so long as you have Triphala”. This is insinuation to the belief that Triphala cares for internal organs, just as a mother takes care of her children [2], and among laxative herbs, triphala is the ‘safest and most strengthening. Triphala has been described in the ancient ayurvedic text as a Tridoshic rasayana, a therapeutic agent with balancing and rejuvenating effects on the three humours or constitutional elements in ayurvedic vata, pitta and kapha. Terminalia chebula Retz and Terminalia Bellerica Roxb have a warm energy, while Embellica officinalis is cool in nature. Triphala being a combination of all three, is balanced, making it useful as an internal cleansing, detoxifying formula. It is regarded as an essential rasayana and good purgative in ayurvedic medicine. Recipe for this traditional herbal supplement is described in the traditional Indian texts, the Charaka and Susruta Samhita [2].