With COVID-19 infection still spreading like wild-fire and putting a pause on regular lifestyle, immense physical and emotional stress have unfortunately become a part of our daily life. Not only has this stress drained every individual mentally and physically but also brought about an imbalance of the doshas within the body causing sleep disturbances, vanquishing calmness of mind, and creating turmoil in the digestive and respiratory functions.
But with the altering concepts of health and disease, there has been an amazing awakening of interest towards Ayurveda. With a wealth of knowledge about ayurvedic herbs and spices, more and more people are getting drawn towards ayurvedic remedies for boosting immunity and ultimately treating several health anomalies. This article brings forth one such herbal concoction, known as ‘Trikatu’ that has literally been tagged as a ‘Panacea’ for most health irregularities.
What Is Trikatu?
Touted as the ‘Power Trinity’, Trikatu is a classical ayurvedic formulation that combines the goodness of three herbs or spices, mainly, long pepper, black pepper, and ginger to create an absolute remedy for most Vata and Kapha derangements like digestive anomalies, respiratory issues, inflammatory conditions, liver disturbances, various infections, sexual and reproductive oddities, hypercholesteremia, sluggish metabolism, and obesity. The holistic science of Ayurveda also knows this unique herbal blend by the names Trikatu Choornam, Trikatu Powder, Katutraya churna, Kadutraya Churna, Trikatukam churnam, Three Peppers, Three Pungent Herbs etc.
Trikatu chiefly works by stimulating ‘Agni’, i.e. the digestive fire, improves the assimilation of nutrients in the body and reduces Kapha. It is also famed as a rejuvenator and tonic which helps pacify the aggravated Kapha in the respiratory and digestive tract and also regulates the path for the Vata, thus reducing bloating and abdominal distension.
Composition Of Trikatu
Ingredients:
1 part Gaja Pippali/ Long pepper - Piper longum
1 part Kali Marich/ Black pepper – Piper nigrum
1 part Shunthi/ Adrak/ Ginger – Zingiber officinalis
Method:
Dry all the herbal ingredients separately till there is no moisture remaining.
Put them together in a blender and make a powder of it.
Now again keep the powder under direct sunlight to remove the presence of moisture.
Pass the entire powder through sieve no. 100 to remove any impurities or hard particles.
Store it in air-tight containers for future use.
Therapeutic Benefits Of Trikatu Churna
Bolsters Immunity
Thanks to the presence of antioxidants and Vitamin C, Trikatu offers an absolute remedy for improving the immune system, fighting microbes and shielding the body against various microbial invasions. It also portrays the presence of strong anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and antifungal properties, which is extremely effective in preventing infections like fever, common cold, sore throat, and other respiratory anomalies.
Promotes Digestion:
Renowned as a powerful digestive stimulant, all the three herbs in Trikatu help in breaking down of food particles in the stomach and intestine, while facilitating the secretion of the digestive juices and thereby increasing the absorption of essential nutrients through the intestines. It helps to eliminate abdominal gas and in turn reduces abdominal distension, bloating and gaseous cramps. It is also extremely pivotal in treating a wide range of gastrointestinal disorders like constipation, gastritis, heartburn, diarrhoea, flatulence, peptic ulcer and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Also Read: 5 Herbs For A Healthy Digestive System
Take trikatu churna along with shankha bhashma to get relief from gastritis.
Relieves Pain And Inflammation
The abundance of anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties of the bioactive components in this magical herbal blend makes it the ultimate choice for providing relief from pain and inflammation due to arthritis. It is also extremely effective against Rheumatoid arthritis which is known as Amavata in ayurveda. Amavata is mainly caused due to the vitiation of Vata doshas and accumulation of Ama or toxins in the joints.
Enhances Cardiac Functioning
The extensive heart-healthy properties of the herbs used in Trikatu, plays a quintessential role in treating a host of heart anomalies. It relaxes the cardiac system, by calming the mind, which is extremely beneficial for patients suffering from arrhythmias and palpitations. It is also extensively used for strengthening the heart muscles, lowering cholesterol levels in the blood and preventing lipid build-up, which in turn reduces the risk of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, heart blocks, blood clots, etc.
Remedies Respiratory Anomalies
Trikatu churna offers a one-shot herbal remedy for all sorts of Kapha aggravating disorders. The bulk of active constituents in this herbal blend provides relief from respiratory disorders like asthma, bronchitis, COPD, cough and cold symptoms. It also helps in removing phlegm deposits from the respiratory tract, provides relief from a sore throat, cough and congestion and eases breathing.
Aids In Weight Loss
The abundance of alkaloids and flavonoids in the power trinity increases heat helps the body shed excess weight faster by improving metabolic transformation and preventing further accumulation of fats. Owing to its property to vitiate AMA doshas from the body, it effectively removes unwanted toxins from the body.
Augments Liver Functions
Imbued with powerful hepatoprotective properties due to the presence of the compound ‘piperine’, Trikatu churna, helps in detoxifying excess toxin and enhances overall liver health. Regular consumption of trikatu helps in the regeneration of liver cells, restores normal liver functions and helps in bringing back liver enzymes that are high during liver disease or infections within a normal range. It is also beneficial in treating liver diseases like hepatitis and jaundice.
Effect On Doshas:
Trikatu Churna is blessed with Katu Rasa (i.e. pungent taste) and Laghu (i.e. light), and Rukshna Guna (i.e. rough quality). It inherently portrays Ushna Virya (i.e. hot potency) and Katu Vipaka (i.e. pungent metabolic taste). Being rough and light, it appeases the Vata doshas (i.e. air) and Kapha (earth and water) doshas, whereas having a pungent metabolic taste, it aggravates and detoxifies the Pitta (fire and air) doshas. Also Read: Introduction To Ayurveda: Learn About Vata, Pitta And Kapha Doshas
Therapeutic Dosage
The effective therapeutic dosage of Trikatu churnam may vary from person to person depending upon the age, severity, and condition of the patient. Consultation from an ayurvedic doctor is a must, as he or she will thoroughly examine the indications and prescribe the correct dosage for a specific time period.
Adults: ½ - 2 gram twice a day preferably after meals alongside lukewarm water or honey.
Side Effects
Trikatu, though an absolute remedy for a host of health anomalies, can cause certain alter indications if taken more than prescribed. The side effects are usually noticed in the form of heartburn, burning sensation, hot flushes, mouth ulcers, excessive sweating, bleeding disorders and even redness in the eye.
Conclusion
Trikatu Churna is an age-old ayurvedic remedy that is extensively used for treating umpteen health problems including indigestion, gastritis, constipation, obesity, asthma, cough and cold, arthritis, infections, ulcers, etc. Imbued with potent herbal ingredients, seek benefit from this powerful immune booster with proper doctor recommendation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Prepare Trikatu Churna At Home?
Trikatu Churna can be made at home by combining equal parts of Piper nigrum (Kali Mirch), Piper longum (Pippali), and dried Zingiber officinale (Saunth). In a mortar and pestle or grinder, finely grind all of the herbal ingredients separately. The powder is then sieved and stored in an airtight container.
Is Trikatu Churna Effective For Sinus Problems?
Trikatu Churna's three constituents are warm and expectorant, making it beneficial against respiratory infections or sinus problems. It also contains Rasayana, which helps improve the immune system and prevent respiratory infections.
Can Trikatu Churna Be Used To Treat Diabetes?
Yes, Trikatu Churna contains components that aid in blood sugar control and the management of type II diabetes mellitus. However, it is not encouraged to self-medicate and instead visit a doctor for effective diabetic treatment.
