TRIPHALA
Help on accessing alternative formats, such as Portable Document Format (PDF), Microsoft Word and PowerPoint (PPT) files, can be obtained in the alternate format help section.
This monograph is intended to serve as a guide to industry for the preparation of Product Licence Applications (PLAs) and labels for natural health product market authorization. It is not intended to be a comprehensive review of the medicinal ingredient.
Notes
- Text in parentheses is additional optional information which can be included on the PLA and product label at the applicant's discretion.
- The solidus (/) indicates that the terms and/or the statements are synonymous. Either term or statement may be selected by the applicant.
- The name "Triphala" is restricted to combination that contains the three medicinal ingredients indicated in Table 1. Therefore, brand name and use or purpose can only mention the name Triphala if these three medicinal ingredients are present in the product.
Date
February 25, 2019
Proper name(s), Common name(s), Source information
Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source information | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Source material(s) | Part(s) | Preparation(s) | ||
Phyllanthus emblica |
|
Phyllanthus emblica |
Fruit |
Dried |
Terminalia chebula |
|
Terminalia chebula |
Fruit | Dried |
Terminalia bellirica |
|
Terminalia bellirica |
Fruit | Dried |
References: Proper names: IT IS 2018, USDA 2018, API 2001, McGuffin et al. 2000; Common names: ITIS 2018, USDA 2018, Martindale 2011, API 2001, McGuffin et al. 2000; Source information: API 2001, Kapoor 2001, Khory and Katrak 1999, Nadkarni 1954.
Route of Administration
Oral
Dosage Form(s)
This monograph is not intended to include foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of Monographs Guidance Document.
Acceptable dosage forms for the age category listed in this monograph and specified route of administration are indicated in the Compendium of Monographs Guidance Document.
Use(s) or Purpose(s)
All products- Traditionally used in Ayurveda as a laxative for the relief of occasional constipation (Chouhan et al. 2013; Murthy 2004).
- Traditionally used in Ayurveda as an eye tonic (Chouhan et al. 2013; Murthy 2004).
- Traditionally used in Ayurveda as Rasayana (rejuvenative tonic) (Murthy 2004; API 2001; Nadkarni 1976).
- Traditionally used in Ayurveda as a digestive tonic to promote digestive fire, increase appetite and aid in digestion (stomachic) (Paranjpe 2005; Sudarshan 2005; Warrier et al. 2003; Kapoor 2001; Gogte 2000; Khory and Katrak 1999).
- Traditionally used in Ayurveda to help relieve symptoms such as heartburn and indigestion associated with Amlapitta (hyperacidity/dyspepsia) (Warrier et al. 2003; API 2001; Gogte 2000).
- Source of/Provides antioxidants (Duke 2018, Paranjpe 2005; Williamson 2002; API 2001; Kapoor 2001).
- Traditionally used in Ayurveda to help expel intestinal worms (vermifuge) (Sukh Dev 2006; Kirtikar and Basu 1981; Nadkarni 1954).
- Traditionally used in Ayurveda to help relieve cough (Sukh Dev 2006; API 2001).
Traditionally used in Ayurveda to help relieve colic pain and flatulence (carminative) (Sukh Dev 2006; Khare 2004).
Permitted combinationsAll ingredients included in this monograph may be combined together as long as combined dose is within the dose limits indicated below.
NoteClaims for traditional use must include the term "Herbal Medicine", "Traditional Chinese Medicine", or "Ayurveda".
Dose(s)
Subpopulation(s)
Adults 18 years and older
Quantity(ies)
AntioxidantsMethods of preparation: Dry, Powder, Non-standardized Ethanolic Extracts (Dry extract, Tincture, Fluid extract)
Not to exceed 6 grams of Amalaki, per day (API 2001).
Rasayana; Digestive tonic; Eye tonic
Methods of preparation: Dry, Powder, Non-standardized Ethanolic Extracts (Dry extract, Tincture, Fluid extract)
Medicinal Ingredients | Dried fruit (grams/day) | |
---|---|---|
Minimum | Maximum | |
Amalaki |
3 |
6 |
Haritaki |
1 |
3 |
Bibhitaka |
1 |
3 |
Amalaki + Haritaki + Bibhitaki (Triphala) |
1 |
3 |
Amalaki + Haritaki or Bibhitaki |
2 |
3 |
Haritaki + Bibhitaki |
1 |
3 |
References: Amalaki: API 2001; Haritaki: Williamson 2002, API 2001, Gogte 2000; Bibhitaki: Williamson 2002, API 2001, Gogte 2000: Triphala: Tilloston et al. 2001, Gogte 2000; Amalaki + Haritaki or Bibhitaki: API 2001, Gogte 2000; Haritaki + Bibhitaki: Tilloston et al. 2001, Gogte 2000.
Laxative; Amlapitta; Carminative; Cough; Vermifuge
Methods of preparation: Dry, Powder, Non-standardized Ethanolic Extracts (Dry extract, Tincture, Fluid extract)
Medicinal Ingredients | Dried fruit (grams/day) | |
---|---|---|
Minimum | Maximum | |
Amalaki |
3 |
6 |
Haritaki |
2 |
6 |
Bibhitaka |
3 |
6 |
Amalaki + Haritaki + Bibhitaki (Triphala) |
2 |
6 |
Any 2 combined together |
3 |
6 |
References: Amalaki: API 2001; Haritaki: API 2001, Murthy 1994; Bibhitaki: API 2001: Triphala (Amalaki +Haritaki + Bibhitaki): Tilloston et al. 2001, Murthy 1994; Any 2 combined together: Murthy 199
Direction(s) for use
All Products
Take 2 hours before or after taking other medications (HC 2009; Martindale 2008).
Laxative
Allow at least 6 to 12 hours for laxative effect to occur (APhA 2002).
Duration(s) of Use
Laxative; Vermifuge
Consult a health care practitioner/health care provider/health care professional/doctor/physician for use beyond 7 days (HC 2009; Pray 2006; CPhA 2002).
Vermifuge
For occasional use only.
Risk Information
Caution(s) and warning(s)
All products
- Consult a health care practitioner/health care provider/health care professional/doctor/physician prior to use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or if you have abdominal pain, nausea, fever or vomiting (HC 2009; McGuffin et al. 1997).
- Reduce dose or stop use if you experience abdominal pain, cramps, spasms and/or diarrhoea (Murthy 2004; McGuffin et al. 1997).
Amlapitta; Stomachic; Laxative; Cough; Carminative; Vermifuge
Consult a health care practitioner/health care provider/health care professional/doctor/physician if symptoms persist or worsen.
Products providing more than 4 g of Triphala dried fruit or more than 4 g of Haritaki dried fruit
- Consult a health care practitioner/health care provider/health care professional/doctor/physician prior to use if you are taking cardiac medications such as cardiac glycosides or antiarrhythmic medications, thiazide diuretics, corticosteroids, licorice root or other medications or health products which may aggravate electrolyte imbalance (Murthy 2004; McGuffin et al. 1997).
- Consult a health care practitioner/health care provider/health care professional/doctor/physician prior to use if you have a kidney disorder (McGuffin et al. 1997).
Contraindication(s)
Products providing more than 4 g of Triphala dried fruit or more than 4 g of Haritaki dried fruit
Do not use this product if you have abnormal constrictions of the gastrointestinal tract, potential or existing intestinal blockage, atonic bowel, appendicitis, inflammatory colon disease such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, abdominal pain of unknown origin, undiagnosed rectal bleeding, severe dehydration with depleted water or electrolytes (Murthy 2004; McGuffin et al. 1997).
Known adverse reaction(s)
All products except those making laxative claim
Stop use if laxative effect occurs.
Non-medicinal ingredients
Must be chosen from the current Natural Health Products Ingredients Database (NHPID) and must meet the limitations outlined in the database
Storage conditions
No statement required.
Specifications
- The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (NNHPD) Quality of Natural Health Products Guide.
- The medicinal ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the NHPID.
References Cited
- APhA 2002: Berardi RR, DeSimone EM, Newton GD, Oszko, MA, Popovich, NG, Rollins, CJ, Shimp LA, Tietze KJ. Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs: An interactive approach to self-care, 13th Edition. Washington (DC): American Pharmaceutical Association; 2002.
- API 2001 [1990]. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, 1st edition, Part I, Volume I. Delhi (IN): The Controller of Publications; [Reprint of 1990 publication]; 2001.
- Chouhan B, Kumawat RC, Kotecha M, Ramamurthy A, Nathani S. Treiphla: A Comprehensive Ayurvedic Review. International Journal of Research in Ayurveda and Pharmacy; 2013;4(4): 612-617.
- CPhA 2002: Repchinsky C, editor-in-chief. Patient Self-Care: Helping Patients Make Therapeutic Choices. 1st edition. Ottawa (ON): Canadian Pharmacists Association; 2002.
- Duke 2018: Dr. Duke's Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases. Chemicals and their Biological Activities in: Phyllanthus emblica L. (Euphorbiaceae) -- Emblic, Myrobalan, 2018 [Internet]. [Accessed 2018 December 19]. Available from: https://phytochem.nal.usda.gov/phytochem/search
- Gogte VVM. Ayurvedic Pharmacology and Therapeutic Uses of Medicinal Plants. Mubai (IN): Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan; 2000.
- HC 2009: Laxatives: General - Laxatives - Labelling Standard [Internet]. Ottawa (ON): Drugs and Health Products; Health Canada; 2009. [Accessed 2018 December 19]. Available from: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/applications-submissions/guidance-documents/nonprescription-drugs-labelling-standards/laxatives-labelling-standards-non-prescription-drugs.html
- ITIS 2018: Phyllanthus emblica [2011] Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS) [Internet]. [Accessed 2018 December 19]. Available from: https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=504352#null
- Kapoor LD. Handbook of Medicinal Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants. Boca Raton (FL): CRC press LLC; 2001.
- Khory RN, Katrak NN. Materia Medica of India and Their Therapeutics. Delhi (IN): Komal Prakashan; [Reprint of 1903 publication]; 1999.
- Kirtikar KR and Basu BD. Indian Medicinal Plants. Dehra Dun (IN): International Book Distributors; 1981.
- Martindale 2008: Sweetman SC, editor. Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference [Internet]. London (GB): Pharmaceutical Press; 2012. [Laxatives: latest modification: 31-Jul-2008; Accessed 2012 May 18]. Available from: http://www.medicinescomplete.com
- Martindale 2011: Sweetman SC, editor. Martindale: The Complete Drug Reference [Internet]. London (GB): Pharmaceutical Press; 2012. [Indian gooseberry: latest modification: 2011 December 5; Accessed 2012 May 18]. Available from: http://www.medicinescomplete.com
- McGuffin M, Kartesz JT, Leung AY, Tucker AO, editors. Herbs of Commerce, 2nd edition. Silver Spring (MD): American Herbal Products Association; 2000.
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, editors. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press; 1997.
- Murthy KRS. Bhavaprakasa of Bhavamisra. Volume 1. Varanasi (IN): Chowkhamba Krishnadas Academy; 2004.
- Murthy KRS. Bhavaprakasha of Bhavmisra, Volume 1. Varanasi (IN): Chowkhamba Krishnadas Academy; 2004.
- Nadkarni AK. India Materia Medica. Volume 1, 3rd edition. Panvel, Bombay (IN): Popular book depot, Dhootpapeshwar Prakashan Ltd.; 1954.
- Paranjpe P. Indian Medicinal Plants: Forgotten Healers: A Guide to Ayurvedic Herbal Medicine. Delhi (IN): Chaukhamba Sanskrit Pratishthan; 2005.
- Pray WS. Non-Prescription Product Therapeutics, 2nd edition. New York (NY): Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2006.
- Sudarshan SR. Encyclopaedia of Indian Medicine, Materia Medica - Herbal Drugs. Volume 4. Banglore (IN): Popular Prakashan; 2005. Sukh Dev. Prime Ayurvedic Plant Drugs. New Delhi (IN): Anamaya Publishers; 2006. Tillotson A, Khalasa KPS, Caldecott T: Triphala. Canadian Journal of Herbalism; 2001 22(2): 16-44.
- USDA 2018: United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). [Internet]. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville (MD). [Phyllanthus emblica L. Last updated: 25-Aug-2005; Accessed 2018 December 19]. Available from: https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?28119 USDA 2018: United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). [Internet]. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville (MD). [Terminalia chebula Retz. Last updated: 17-Oct-2001; Accessed 2018 December 19]. Available from: https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?36335
- USDA 2018: United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). [Internet]. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville (MD). [Terminalia bellirica (Gaertn.) Roxb. Last updated: 27-Oct-2006; Accessed 2018 December 19]. Available from: https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?36329
- Warrier PK, Nambiar VPK, Ramankutty C, editors. Indian Medicinal Plants: a compendium of 500 species. Volume 4. Chennai (IN): Orient Longman Private Limited; 2003.
- Williamson EM, editor. Major Herbs of Ayurveda. Edinburgh (GB): Churchill Livingstone; 2002.