Triphala consists of the fruits of three plants: Terminalia belerica, Roxb. (bibhitaki), Terminalia chebula, Retz. (haritaki) and Emblica officinalis (amalaki or amla).

Over several months use, triphala is reputed to help tonify (increse the available energy of) the intestinal tract as well as help the liver to stay healthy.

It has also been used to treat diarrhea related to irritable bowel syndrome. While it contains anthraquinones (like those found in herbs like cascara and senna), triphala does not appear to have the same penchant for causing dependency.

Triphala's combination of three bio-extracts addresses the three main aspects of health in the Ayurvedic medicinal tradition of India known as doshas: vata, pitta and kapha. These describe characteristics of health that need to be in balance. Among other things, for example, they may be used to describe body types. Vata (air) is akin to very slender individuals. Pitta (fire) is more endomorphic. Kapha (earth/water) is a solid, heavier individual. It gets much more detailed than this, but that gives you a bit of an idea.

T. chebula or haritaki addresses the vata aspect and is known as the "Life Giver." Primary uses include for nervous disorders, chronic constipation and digestion.

T. belerica or bibhitaki helps to tonify kapha. It specifically is thought to exert its actions on the respiratory system and to remove mucous out of the digestive tract. This may improve motility and absorption.

E. officinalis or amla deals with the pitta and has a high concentration of vitamin C. This is the cleanser, tonifying the colon, while helping to relieve inflamed tissue in the stomach and bowel. It is often used to manage dyspepsia, whether arising from an ulcer or otherwise.

Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine on PubMed: "Triphala, an ayurvedic rasayana drug, protects mice against radiation-induced lethality by free-radical scavenging." Department of Radiobiology, Kasturba Medical College, Karnataka, India.