Triphala means three fruits. It is the best known preparation in classical Ayurveda and the basis of two of the ghees on our shelf. This article describes the trio as the texts record it.

The three

  • Haritaki, Terminalia chebula. Predominantly Kashaya, astringent; the texts note it carries five of the six tastes, lacking only salt. Described as warming.
  • Amla, Emblica officinalis. The sour one, Amla in both name and taste, and described as cooling.
  • Bibhitaki, Terminalia bellirica. Astringent, and described as warming.

Why the tradition keeps them together

Two warming fruits and one cooling one, two astringent and one sour: the classical argument for the trio is the balance between them rather than the merit of any single fruit. The texts treat Triphala as a unit and cite it as such inside longer formulas, which is why it appears in preparations that are not themselves Triphala preparations, such as Jeevanthyadi Ghritham.

The trio in a ghee

Triphala Ghritham is the plain ghee of the three fruits: ghee and Haritaki, Amla and Bibhitaki. Maha Triphala Ghritham is the greater preparation, distinguished in the classical record by its liquids rather than by more Triphala. Both are covered in the Triphala Ghritham guide, and the family as a whole in the range comparison.

Other forms on this site

The same trio appears as a powder and in capsules. The ghee is the form in which the fruits are cooked into fat by Sneha Paka rather than dried and ground.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which three fruits are in Triphala?

Haritaki, Amla and Bibhitaki.

Why are they used together?

The classical argument is balance: two warming fruits and one cooling, two astringent and one sour. The texts cite the trio as a single unit.

Is the ghee the same as the powder?

No. The powder is the dried fruits ground; the ghee is the fruits cooked into ghee by the classical Sneha Paka method.

This article is for educational purposes and describes the classical Ayurvedic record. The products mentioned are food supplements, not a substitute for a varied, balanced diet, and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Take classical ghee preparations under the guidance of a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner.