Abstract

REVIEW OF TRIPHALA: AN AYURVEDIC HERBAL COMBINATION WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE RATIO OF ITS CONSTITUENTS

Vaidya Bhargav Vishwas Jategaonkar* and Vaidya Sharayu Kore

ABSTRACT

Ayurveda is an ancient science and Triphala is one of the most famous and common Ayurvedic herbal combinations. It has thousands of uses mentioned in the Ayurvedic classical texts – Brihattrayee (Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita and Ashtangahridayam) and Laghutrayee (Sharangadhara Samhita, Bhavaprakasha and Yogaratnakara). It is popularly considered as the combination of Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Bibheetaka (Terminalia bellirica) and Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) in the ratio 1:1:1 by weight. Though a lot of research work is already done on its uses, there is a great need to explore Triphala as a combination with respect to the ratio of weight of its contents. The study will help in better understanding of Triphala and the rationale behind adding its three ingredients. This study is a literary study which is an honest effort towards that direction. The study consists of collection of references from Brihattrayee and Laghutrayee which comment about the ratio of the three constituents of Triphala. In Brihattrayee, all three contents are taken in equal amounts by weight with an exception whereas in Laghutrayee the ratio is altered in some formulations. References where the 1:1:1 ratio by weight is altered are the golden opportunity towards understanding the Samyoga (Combination) of Triphala or the logic behind its formation.

Keywords: Triphala, Ayurveda, Samyoga, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellirica, Emblica officinalis.