This Ayurvedic Supplement Can Help You Lose Weight, Lower Inflammation, and Regulate Gut Health

Ayurvedic treatments, or traditional Indian medicine, have become increasingly popular in recent years around the globe. You’ve probably heard more and more about ingredients like turmeric and ghee, but what about triphala? This supplement has been used in India for thousands of years as a medicinal combination of herbs, and it could help you with a number of health conditions.

What is triphala?

Triphala is a mix of multiple herbs and plants, and it often contains ingredients like amla, bibhitaki, and haritaki, all of which come from different dried fruits found in Southeast Asia.

Because its content are originally from fruit, this supplement is packed with powerful antioxidants, which all work to fight free radicals that can damage the cells and accelerate aging. These include flavonoids, vitamin C, polyphenols, and tannins. They’re also known for their anti-inflammatory benefits, and they can help everything from lessening arthritis symptoms to reducing the risk of heart disease. Results from early studies have also discovered that these antioxidants may prevent certain types of cancers as well, but scientists are still doing research into which types of cancer are impacted and how effective triphala may be as a treatment.

This combination of herbs has also been part of early animal and human weight loss trials, which showed that people who took triphala as part of a larger weight loss regimen lost more weight than those who didn’t take it.

Additionally, it’s a natural laxative that Ayurvedic practitioners have long lauded for its ability to “clear the system,” or in other words, clean the gut. Preliminary research showed that it can reduce symptoms like flatulence, constipation, and abdominal pain, while also decreasing strain in the lower body.

What are its side effects?

Most of the side effects that come with triphala are mild and have to do with subtle abdominal distress. However, because triphala is a natural laxative, regularly taking more the the recommended 500 to 1,000 milligrams per day could lead to more severe diarrhea and gastrointestinal discomfort. Moreover, women who are nursing our pregnant, as well as people on blood thinning medication or who have bleeding disorders, should steer away from it.

How should you take it?

Triphala supplements are best taken as a daily oral capsule, like Organic India Triphala (Buy on Amazon, $25.87). And as with all changes to your diet or supplement regimen, talk to your doctor before adding something new!