The magic of aralu, bulu, nelli Triphala…gut instinct!

By Emme Haddon

It used to be said that you are what you eat. Science now tells us that we are what the bacteria living in our gastrointestinal (GI) tract eat and this has an influence on how well we age.

Both Ayurveda and Western medicine agree that health and disease begin in the gut which is often referred to as the second brain. The gut–brain axis is a bidirectional communication system between the central nervous system and the GI tract.

Studies have shown the gut-brain axis to be involved in neuropathological changes and a variety of conditions such as neurodegeneration, autism, chronic inflammation, immune issues, depression as well as irritable bowel syndrome. Regulation of the microbiota–brain–gut axis is essential for maintaining homeostasis, and plays a vital role in a myriad of age-related health conditions.

It is not uncommon for older people to become preoccupied, almost obsessed, with their bowel movements or lack of them. Well, as it turns out they have good reason to be, as chronic constipation is a clear indicator that one’s GI tract is not in check and can be a manifestation of many diseases including depression, hypothyroidism, Parkinson’s disease and cancer. As unsavoury as it may seem, paying attention to our bowel habits is something we should do to retain optimal health.

Triphala, considered a cornerstone of Ayurvedic GI treatment, is one of the best Ayurvedic remedies for constipation, gastritis, dyspepsia, hyperacidity and detoxification of the stomach and colon by cleansing metabolic and digestive wastes from the body.

From the Sanskrit tri = three and phala = fruits, triphala is a revered and highly efficacious Ayurvedic blend of the dried fruits of three rasayana plant species, namely, Phyllanthus emblica (nelli), Terminalia bellerica (bulu), and Terminalia chebula (aralu). It promotes efficient digestion, absorption and elimination and is known as a tri-doshic rasayana that promotes longevity and rejuvenation in patients of all constitutions and ages – nelli supports intestinal repair and balances the pitta dosha; bulu removes the build up of old mucus of the GI tract walls and balances the kapha dosha; and aralu strengthens the intestinal muscles which contract when the bowels need to move and balances the vata dosha.

In Ayurveda it is described as a wonder drug and universal panacea. It is referred to extensively in three ancient Ayurvedic treatises: Charaka Samhita, Sushrut Samhita and Ashtanga Hridayam, as a highly effective treatment for diabetes, as well as fever, obesity, heart disease, fistula, eye diseases, snake bites, and as a rasayana for longevity, to reverse and halt ageing, to rejuvenate and strengthen the body and prevent neurodegeneration. The Charaka Samhita which is thought to date back to at least 500BC, claims that by taking triphala daily with honey and ghee it is possible to live to 100 years free from disease!

Science is now validating what Ayurveda has known for thousands of years. Triphala has been shown to increase telomerase activity and DNA repair, and in doing so promote healthy ageing. Triphala-derived polyphenols act as prebiotics which modulate the human gut microbiome promoting the growth of healthy bacteria such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus, while inhibiting the growth of undesirable gut residents such as E. coli.

In turn, the human gut microbiota transform the polyphenols into metabolites which reduce inflammation and oxidative damage. Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the development of age-related diseases. Antioxidants inhibit the formation of free radicals and subsequently reduce oxidative stress, improve immune function, and increase healthy longevity. Triphala stacks up a staggering ORAC value of 706,250 making it one of the world’s most powerful antioxidants!

Scientific studies carried out over the past two decades have validated many of the Ayurvedic uses of triphala – research has shown it to possess gastroprotective, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, free-radical scavenging, neuroprotective, anti-aging, cardioprotective, hepaprotective, radioprotective, chemoprotective, antidiabetic, chemopreventative, anti-mutagenic, anti-carcinogenic, anti-microbial, analgesic antihyperlipidemic, detoxification, anticataract and immunomodulatory effects. Clearly triphala has huge potential for use in treating a wide-array of health issues and to protect against many chronic diseases associated with the ageing process.

Several emerging clinical studies have produced interesting findings. In a 12-week, double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled trial, human subjects treated with triphala lost ∼5 kg with reduced mean fasting blood sugar and fasting serum insulin levels compared with control subjects. Numerous controlled clinical trials have shown that a triphala mouthwash significantly reduces the abundance of several oral bacteria and fungi responsible for tooth decay, gingivitis, periodontitis, halitosis, oral candida and it is also an effective as a root canal irrigant.

The natural compounds in triphala have been shown to decrease the exacerbation of inflammatory response and oxidative stress that lead to the development of allergic rhinitis (hayfever). Triphala extract has also been shown to exert highly protective antiaging effects on human skin cells: it exhibits significant free radical scavenging activity, affects the gene expression of human skin cells, stimulating collagen-1 and elastin-synthesizing genes, increases cellular antioxidants, and inhibits melanin production and hyperpigmentation.

With a growing ageing population around the world, and increased interest and awareness of the importance of personal well-being, anti-ageing herbal supplements are in high demand. In the cosmetic industry, there is a growing demand for naturally-derived antioxidants which are widely used in various anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, UV protection, moisturizing, skin and hair conditioning products. As one of the world’s highest antioxidants, triphala has a huge potential as a functional food, a dietary supplement, a herbal supplement and in the cosmetic market.