What is it used for?
All products
Traditionally used in Ayurveda as a mild laxative for the relief of occasional constipation [Source note 2].
Traditionally used in Ayurveda as an eye tonic [Source note 3].
Products containing Triphala and/or Amalaki and/or Haritaki
Traditionally used in Ayurveda as Rasayana (rejuvenative tonic) [Source note 4].
Traditionally used in Ayurveda as a digestive tonic to promote digestive fire, increase appetite and aid in digestion (stomachic) [Source note 5].
Products containing Amalaki
Traditionally used in Ayurveda to help relieve symptoms such as heartburn and indigestion associated with Amlapitta (hyperacidity/dyspepsia) [Source note 6].
Source of antioxidants/Provides antioxidants [Source note 7].
Source of antioxidants/Provides antioxidants that help fight/protect (cell) against/reduce (the oxidative effect of/the oxidative damage caused by/cell damage caused by) free radicals [Source note 8].
Products containing Haritaki and/or Bibhitaki
Traditionally used in Ayurveda to help expel intestinal worms (vermifuge) [Source note 9].
Traditionally used in Ayurveda to help relieve cough [Source note 10].
Products containing Haritaki
Traditionally used in Ayurveda to help relieve colic pain and flatulence (carminative) [Source note 11].
Permitted combinations
All ingredients included in this reference may be combined together as long as combined dose is within the dose limits indicated below.
The laxative claim is based on the Ayurvedic Medicine; however, this is not a stimulant laxative nor a bulk-forming laxative. The mode of action is unclear and the laxative effect is mild.
The above uses can be combined on the product label if from the same traditional or non-traditional system of medicine (e.g. Traditionally used in Ayurveda as a mild laxative for the relief of occasional constipation and to help relieve symptoms such as heartburn and indigestion associated with Amlapitta (hyperacidity/dyspepsia)).
For multi-ingredient products:
To prevent the product from being represented as a "traditional medicine", any indicated traditional use claim must refer to the specific active ingredient(s) and recognized traditional system of medicine from which the claim originates when 1) both traditional and modern claims are present or 2) when claims originate from multiple systems of traditional medicine (e.g. Triphala is traditionally used in Ayurveda as a mild laxative for the relief of occasional constipation).
When ALL of the active ingredients (MIs) in the product are used within the SAME identified system of traditional medicine AND the product makes ONLY traditional claims, listing of MIs in the traditional claim(s) is not required
What this guide covers
this reference may be used to support single ingredient or multi-ingredient products containing any active ingredient from Table 1. However, the name "Triphala" is restricted to combination that contains the three active ingredients indicated in Table 1. Therefore, brand name and use or purpose can only mention the name Triphala if these three active ingredients are present in the product.
The solidus (/) indicates that the terms and/or the statements are synonymous. Either term or statement may be selected by the applicant on the label.
Who does this guide cover?
Adults 18 years and older
How is it taken?
Oral
Which forms are covered?
this reference is not intended to include foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of references Guidance Document.
Quantities
Antioxidants
Methods of preparation: Dry, Powdered, Non-standardized Ethanolic Extracts (Dry extract, Tincture, Fluid extract)
Not to exceed 6 grams of Amalaki, per day [Source note 12].
Rasayana; Digestive tonic; Eye tonic
Methods of preparation: Dry, Powdered, Non-standardized Ethanolic Extracts (Dry extract, Tincture, Fluid extract)
| active ingredients | Dried fruit (grams/day) / Minimum | Dried fruit (grams/day) / Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Amalaki | 3 | 6 |
| Haritaki | 1 | 3 |
| Bibhitaki | 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, Powdered, Non-standardized Ethanolic Extracts (Dry extract, Tincture, Fluid extract)
| active ingredients | Dried fruit (grams/day) / Minimum | Dried fruit (grams/day) / Maximum |
|---|---|---|
| Amalaki | 3 | 6 |
| Haritaki | 2 | 6 |
| Bibhitaki | 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
How is it used?
All Products
Take a few hours before or after taking other medications or health products [Source note 15].
How long is it used?
Vermifuge
For occasional use only.
Warnings and precautions
All products
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding [Source note 16].
Amlapitta; Stomachic; Carminative; Vermifuge
Ask a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen.
Laxative
Ask a healthcare professional if symptoms worsen or if laxative effect does not occur within 7 days [Source note 17].
Cough
Ask a healthcare professional if cough worsens or persists for more than 1 week.
When should it be avoided?
Laxative
Do not use if you have fever or any undiagnosed gastrointestinal trouble [Source note 18].
Possible side effects
All products except those making laxative claim
When using this product you may experience a laxative effect.
Storage
Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the applicable product regulations.
Preparation details
Ingredient identity, preparation requirements, and other details that define the scope of this guide.
Ingredients and preparations
| Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source information / Source material(s) | Source information / Part(s) | Source information / Preparation(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phyllanthus emblica |
| Phyllanthus emblica | Fruit | Dry |
| Terminalia bellirica |
| Terminalia bellirica | Fruit | Dry |
| Terminalia chebula |
| Terminalia chebula | Fruit | Dry |
References: Proper names: ITIS 2024; USDA 2024; API 2001; McGuffin et al. 2000; Common names: ITIS 2024; USDA 2024; API 2001; McGuffin et al. 2000; Source information: API 2001; Kapoor 2001; Khory and Katrak 1999; Nadkarni 1954.
Other ingredients
Must be chosen from the current source ingredient database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database
Preparation and quality requirements
The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the source authority source’s product quality guidance.
The active ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the source ingredient database.
Guide change history
Updates to this SupplementSafety.org guide.
Minor updates
Updated guide wording, organization, and source presentation. Added our editorial change history.
Initial release
Initial SupplementSafety.org guide prepared from source reference material.
Validation: Not yet completed. Editorial updates do not constitute clinical validation.
Sources
Source information
This guide organizes source material about uses, preparations, amounts, and precautions. Read the conditions alongside each statement; the information may apply only to particular preparations or populations.
The source document includes supporting references. We have not independently summarized or assessed every cited study for this guide.
- Source document version
- November 29, 2024
- Source captured
- Aug 15, 2026
- Editorial work
- Editorial preparation. Independent clinical review has not been recorded for this guide.
Full citations are available through the link above. Verification is required to open them; reading this guide does not require verification.
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Explore our supplement–medication interaction checker. Its coverage and review status are shown with the results; a missing finding does not establish that a combination is safe.