What is Triphala?

Triphala is a powder made from three different (dried) fruits from the Himalayan region. It is a well-known herbal medicine from the Aryuvedic tradition. The fruits in Triphala are: Amalaki or Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), and Haritaki (Terminalia chebula). Research in recent years has shown that Triphala is effective in treating various conditions. Indian gooseberry stimulates digestion, acts as a laxative, and has anti-inflammatory properties. Bibhitaki is used for bacterial and viral infections, supporting the intestinal mucosa and lung tissue. Haritaki is used in India for constipation, dementia, and diabetes, promoting metabolism and nutrient absorption.

Triphala for Horses with Insulin Resistance

Triphala can influence sugar metabolism and is being investigated as a potential alternative for diabetes treatment in humans. Several studies have been done on animals showing that Triphala affects fat storage, fat percentage, and leads to weight loss. Blood values for cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipoproteins decreased significantly after 45 days of Triphala use. The impact on insulin levels is particularly interesting, showing better insulin levels after fasting and sugar consumption. This suggests that this herbal powder can improve sugar processing and reduce issues related to insulin resistance. Many horses can benefit from this as their blood sugar levels do not spike significantly after consuming carbohydrates. Triphala also inhibits certain enzymes that cause damage in blood vessels by binding proteins and sugars.

Triphala and the Intestines

Triphala is rich in antioxidants, especially flavonoids, supporting overall stomach and intestinal health. Studies have shown that Triphala can suppress stress-related stomach issues in rats and reduce colic in another study. In humans, it was found to have a positive effect on abdominal pain, constipation, excessive acidity, and gas. Triphala can help horses maintain a balanced stomach pH level and can benefit horses with excessive gas.

Triphala for Stress

Studies have shown that Triphala can play a role in managing stress. Acute stress is usually not a big issue for horses as they quickly recover. However, chronic stress can have a significant impact on various body processes. Triphala can help restore balance in the body, reduce cortisol levels, and strengthen the immune system, providing protection against stress-related imbalances.

Conclusion: Triphala Beneficial for Intestines and Blood Sugar Levels

Triphala is a powder made from three types of dried fruits traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine. It can support digestion in horses by maintaining stomach pH balance, supporting intestinal mucosa, improving glucose processing, and reducing insulin response. Triphala helps keep blood sugar levels balanced, improves hormone levels, promotes weight loss, and has anti-inflammatory properties. It's a great supplement for horses prone to weight gain, digestive issues, or insulin resistance.

Sources:

Christine Tara Peterson, Kate Denniston, and Deepak Chopra. Therapeutic Uses of Triphala in Ayurvedic Medicine. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.Aug 2017.607-614. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/acm.2017.0083

Rayudu V, Raju AB. Effect of Triphala on dextran sulphate sodium-induced colitis in rats. Ayu 2014;35:333–338. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4427837/

Nariya MB, Shukla VJ, Ravishankar B, Jain SM. Comparison of gastroprotective effects of triphala formulations on stress-induced ulcer in rats. Indian J Pharm Sci 2011;73:682–687. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3480757/

Dhanalakshmi S, Devi RS, Srikumar R, et al. Protective effect of Triphala on cold stress-induced behavioral and biochemical abnormalities in rats. Yakugaku Zasshi 2007;127:1863–1867. https://www.jstage.jst.go.jp/article/yakushi/127/11/127_11_1863/_article/-char/ja/

Rajan SS, Antony S. Hypoglycemic effect of triphala on selected non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus subjects. Ancient Sci Life 2008;27:45–49. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3330861/pdf/ASL-27-45.pdf

Ganeshpurkar A, Jain S, Agarwal S. Experimental studies on glycolytic enzyme inhibitory and antiglycation potential of Triphala. Ayu 2015;36:96–100. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4687248/

Kalaiselvan S, Rasool MK. Triphala herbal extract suppresses inflammatory responses in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages and adjuvant-induced arthritic rats via inhibition of NF-kappaB pathway. J Immunotoxicol 2016;13:509–525. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.3109/1547691X.2015.1136010