The condition of our hair often reflects our internal health. Stress at work, pollution, poor diet, lack of exercise have all exacerbated our hair-related woes. From premature greying to hair fall, from rough frizzy hair to a dull lifeless mane, there seems to be no dearth of problems that can affect our hair. While cosmetic solutions help, what really gets to the root of the problem is focussing on internal health. Ayurveda does just that. It restores balance in the body and treats doshas using natural methods.

While there are several potent formulations in ayurveda, triphala is one that is used very commonly and is known to have a host of benefits.

Ayurveda describes it as a tridoshic rasayana, indicating that it is appropriate for people with vata, pitta, or kapha doshas. Studies have proven its benefits in maintaining gastrointestinal health, fighting diabetes, improving cardiovascular health, and more.^[1]Peterson, Christine Tara, Kate Denniston, and Deepak Chopra. “Therapeutic uses of Triphala in Ayurvedic medicine.” The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 23, no. 8 (2017): … Continue reading Let us delve a little deeper.

What Is Triphala?

Triphala is a potent combination of three fruits (tri = three and phal = fruits) that restores balance in the body and rejuvenates one’s health. Triphala has equal proportions of amla or Phyllanthus emblica, bibhitaki or Terminalia bellerica, and haritaki or Terminalia chebula.

Beneficial Components Of Triphala

Amla: The Vitamin C Powerhouse

• Amalaki or the Indian gooseberry is a rich, natural source of vitamin C, having about 600 to 700 mg per fruit.^[2]Goraya, Rajpreet Kaur, and Usha Bajwa. “Enhancing the functional properties and nutritional quality of ice cream with processed amla (Indian gooseberry).” Journal of food science and … Continue reading

• Amla has been traditionally used to treat various conditions including hyperacidity, anemia, ulcers, jaundice, and more.

Bibhitaki: The Anti-inflammatory Healer

• Research has proven Bibhitaki’s anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.^[3]Dharmaratne, M. Priyanga Jayamal, Amirthasingam Manoraj, Vasanthi Thevanesam, Asela Ekanayake, Nimal Savitri Kumar, Veranja Liyanapathirana, Eranga Abeyratne, and BM Ratnayake Bandara. … Continue reading
• The fruit is also used for treating inflammation, bronchitis, and sore throat; its oil is beneficial for hair.

Haritaki: An Antioxidant Par Excellence

• Haritaki is an antioxidant that has antimicrobial, antidiabetic, and hepatoprotective (liver-protecting) properties.^[4]Bag, Anwesa, Subir Kumar Bhattacharyya, and Rabi Ranjan Chattopadhyay. “The development of Terminalia chebula Retz.(Combretaceae) in clinical research.” Asian Pacific journal of tropical … Continue reading (The development of Terminalia chebula Retz. (Combretaceae) in clinical research (nih.gov))
• It is also useful in treating digestive, heart, and urinary diseases.
• The unripe fruit is used to treat dysentery and diarrhoea.

Why Should You Include Triphala For Hair Care?

Our skin and hair are mirrors of our health. Triphala’s antioxidant properties and its ability to maintain gastrointestinal health go a long way in ensuring that our body functions optimally, and this is reflected in the condition of our hair.

But before we look at how we can use triphala for our hair, let us understand what ayurveda reveals about the formation of hair.

What Does Ayurveda Say About Hair?

According to ayurveda our body is made up of seven dhatus or elements: rasa (internal and external fluid), rakta (blood), mansa (muscles), meda (adipose tissue), asthi (bone and cartilage), majja (bone marrow), and shukra (reproductive tissue). Most ayurvedic practitioners believe that the metabolism of one kind of dhatu leads to the formation of the next one through the action of their respective agni (fire). For instance, raktagni transforms parts of the rasa dhatu to rakta, and so on. As the next dhatu is created, the body also creates upadhatu or mala (waste) from the previous dhatu. When asthi dhatu is metabolized to form majja dhatu, hair and nails emerge as mala.

How Does Triphala Help In Hair Care?

1. Fights Scalp Infections Like Dandruff

The active ingredients in triphala, like amla, haritaki, and bibhitaki, have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that help in fighting scalp infections that often hamper hair growth.

2. Stimulates Hair Growth

Triphala is one of the best formulations used to restore gut health. Due to poor dietary habits and a sedentary lifestyle, almost every other person today suffers from irregular bowel movements and digestive issues. Triphala cures these ailments and ensures optimum nutrient absorption. This stimulates the growth of new hair follicles.

3. Prevents Hair Fall

Our body has an enzyme called 5⍺-reductase or 5-AR that converts the hormone testosterone into the more potent dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The more 5-AR our body produces, the higher are the levels of DHT, and this eventually causes hair loss. A study discovered that amalaki, one of the main components of triphala, inhibits 5-AR and helps prevent hair loss.^[5]Kumar, Naphatsorn, Wandee Rungseevijitprapa, Nual-Anong Narkkhong, Maitree Suttajit, and Chaiyavat Chaiyasut. “5α-reductase inhibition and hair growth promotion of some Thai plants … Continue reading

4. Breathes Life Into Dull Hair

Exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays, pollution and dust, and chemical treatments rob the hair of its natural luster, leaving it looking limp and lifeless. Triphala effectively gets rid of these external toxins. It closes the cuticles and locks the fatty acids inside the hair follicles, thus restoring its natural shine. This also helps in minimizing frizzy hair.

Recent experiments have proved how amla, a key component of triphala, enhances the tensile strength of virgin hair and bleached hair.^[6]Tiampasook, Pratya, Chaiyavat Chaiyasut, Bhagavathi Sundaram Sivamaruthi, Thanaroat Timudom, and Duangporn Nacapunchai. “Effect of Phyllanthus emblica Linn. on tensile strength of virgin and … Continue reading

5. Prevents Premature Greying

Oxidative stress is often the root cause of premature greying. But what is oxidative stress? The human body naturally produces free radicals, which are oxygen-containing molecules that have free electrons. These electrons make the molecules highly reactive. While free radicals can neutralize disease-causing pathogens, they can also be harmful to the body if they exist in excess. They need to be balanced by antioxidants. When this balance is off, it leads to oxidative stress, which can cause a lot of damage, including premature greying. Triphala has powerful antioxidant properties that fight free-radical damage and addresses the root cause of premature greying. Vitamin E in amla is a powerful antioxidant that battles oxidative stress effectively, while bibhitaki is known to nourish hair and prevent greying.^[7]Kumar, Narendra, and S. M. Khurana. “Phytochemistry and medicinal potential of the Terminalia bellirica Roxb.(Bahera).” Indian Journal of Natural Products and Resources (IJNPR)[Formerly … Continue reading

Does Triphala Have Any Additional Benefits?

Triphala, the commonly used Ayurvedic formulation, has a plethora of benefits. Here are a few of them:

• Works wonders for gastrointestinal health: Its antioxidant properties help it fight diseases in the GI tract and cure constipation, flatulence, hyperacidity, and so on. Triphala benefits the gut microbiome (the good bacteria in our gut) and inhibits the growth of undesirable gut microbes. It also stimulates appetite.
• Promotes cardiovascular health and fights obesity: Triphala naturally brings down the lipid levels, that is, lowers total cholesterol and triglycerides. It also naturally brings down blood sugar and is an anti-diabetic formulation.
• Antimicrobial agent: Triphala’s antimicrobial properties make it useful to fight against infections.
• Anti-inflammatory: While inflammation at a certain level is good for the body, it should be within certain limits. Chronic inflammation can make one very ill and exacerbate chronic health conditions like arthritis. Triphala can fight inflammation.^[8]Peterson, Christine Tara, Kate Denniston, and Deepak Chopra. “Therapeutic uses of Triphala in Ayurvedic medicine.” The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine 23, no. 8 (2017): … Continue reading

What Is The Best Way To Use Triphala For Hair?

• Orally as capsule/powder/juice:
  • Triphala can be consumed orally in the form of capsules, juice, or powder.
  • You can take about 3 to 5 grams of triphala powder, two capsules, or 30 ml juice with lukewarm water.

Precaution: Since triphala is known to bring down sugar levels, consult your physician if you are already on any kind of prescribed medication, especially for diabetes. Also, check for any allergic reactions.

• Topical application:
  • You can make a paste of triphala powder and curd or water. Leave it on as a hair mask for half an hour. Rinse it off. This can help with hair loss and grey hair.
  • Repeat this twice a week.

• Hairwash:
  • You can use triphala with reetha and shikakai powders to make your own natural hair wash. If you are facing dandruff, you can add neem powder to this paste.

Triphala is a powerhouse of nutrients that can resolve your hair-related woes. However, good hair depends on your overall internal health. A single herbal formulation is not a substitute for a holistic healthy lifestyle. So, make sure that you are eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and getting a good night’s sleep in addition to reaping the benefits of this wonderful herbal product!