Trikatu Churna: The “Amapachak” or Flusher of Toxins: Uses, Benefits, & Side-Effects

Trikatu Chuna
Trikatu Chuna

Did you know that there is one Ayurvedic herb that is present in most, if not all, Ayurvedic medicines with ingredients that can be easily sourced from your kitchen? Yes, you read that right. This all-important and extremely-beneficial herb that we’re going to discuss today is called Trikatu or Trikatu Churna as it is commonly known. Loosely translated, Trikatu means a powder (Churna) of three (Tri) hot and pungent herbs (Katu).

Trikatu Churna is a poly-herbal Ayurvedic medicine that is known world-over for its “bio-enhancing” after-effects. It works on the body to stimulate the production of digestive enzymes and aids in better bile secretion.

Like other churnas, Trikatu is also known by a variety of names such as Three Pungent Herbs, Trikatu Choornam, Three Peppers among others.

 

From its ancient origins in India, Ayurveda has now spread all over the world. Its teaching uses a blend of herbal medicine, massage, nutrition, spiritual insight, practical experience, scientific analysis, and artistic creativity to guide us to a balanced fulfilled life style. ― Sebastian Pole

 

List of Ingredients in the Trikatu Formulation

In essence, Trikatu comprises of three integral Indian spices in the same amounts, namely:

  • Black pepper/kali mirch (Piper Nigrum): Expels toxins from the body.
  • Long pepper/pippali (Piper Longum): Increases absorption of Selenium and aids in bio-activity of the thyroid hormone.
  • Dried ginger/sonth (Zingiber Officinalis): Rejuvenates the whole body.

 

Trikatu’s Physical Characteristics

  • It is pungent in taste.
  • It is light and dry in nature.
  • It comes with hot potency.
  • It is known to pacify the Vata and Kapha doshas while aggravating the Pitta dosha.

 

Trikatu’s Medicinal Properties: An Overview

  • Appetite-booster
  • Chemo-protective
  • Bio-enhancer
  • Carminative
  • Metabolic- and Digestive-stimulant
  • Anti-viral
  • Expectorant
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Anti-emetic
  • Hypoglycemic

 

Ayurvedic Preparations with Trikatu as the Main Ingredient

  • Parpatakarishtam: This liquid Ayurvedic medicine treats anaemia and liver issues such as jaundice, hepatomegaly, etc.
  • Sarva Jvarahara Lauva: This tablet – containing Iron Bhasma as the primary ingredient treats chronic fever, splenomegaly, liver disorders, etc.
  • Gudapippali: If you want to keep your liver in good shape, this medicine is for you. This jaggery-based medicine contains Long Pepper and helps treat liver issues, ascites, chronic fever, inflammation, etc.
  • Navayasa Churna: This 9-ingredient herbal medicine addresses liver, skin, and anaemia-related health issues.
  • Patoladi Churna: This herbal powder aids in the treatment of cardiac, liver, and digestive disorders.

 

Trikatu’s Uses & Applications: At A Glance

Trikatu Churna’s uses are therapeutic and multi-dimensional in nature. It is useful for the liver, digestive system, spleen, and the pancreas. Here’s a complete low-down of this dietary herb’s health benefits:

  • Aids in weight loss and increases your appetite.
  • Treats body pain and an overwhelming feeling of heaviness, fatigue, and restlessness by adding warmth to the body.
  • Treats high cholesterol levels as it aids in bile secretion and hence, promotes better utilization of cholesterol in the body.
  • Treats high blood pressure.
  • Helps in cases of the common cold and running nose.
  • Reduces incessant cough, body ache, and formation of thin, white phlegm.
  • Caters to asthmatic issues.
  • Treats constipation accompanied by mucous/sticky stool. (Note: In cases of constipation with hard or dry stool, it may not be helpful).
  • Treats digestive disorders such as gas, flatulence, indigestion, abdominal distension, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
  • Treats issues related to gout accompanied by fatigue, body-heaviness, laziness, stiff joints, inability to wake up in the morning or feeling uneasy upon waking up.

 

Recommended Dosage & Suitable Adjuvants

Trikatu can be taken along with honey, warm water, or with the decoction of Punarnava after consuming food. However, if you wish to take Trikatu before eating your meal, you can consume it with ghee. Make sure to have a quarter cup of milk if you end up experiencing any burning sensation. Moving onto its medicinal forms, it is available in three forms, namely:

  • Powder: Trikatu powder can be taken in doses of 125 mg-500 mg, 2X a day. The maximum recommended dosage is 1,000 mg a day.
  • Syrup: The suggested dosage for Trikatu syrup is 2.5 ml for children and 5 ml for adults, 2X a day. The syrup is generally administered as a cough syrup and helps to treat cold and related symptoms.
  • Tablet: 1 Trikatu tablet can be taken twice a day. The tablet is typically used to treat anorexia, indigestion, dyspepsia, etc.

Important: Please consult your doctor before consuming this medicine in any form as a safety measure.

 

Trikatu Churna’s All-Round Benefits

First things first, it is important to know that Trikatu is a bio-enhancer. Simply put, it means that it promotes better absorption and ensures the bio-availability of nutrients and medicines for general well-being and better health. One of its ‘star’ ingredients, Piperine performs a triple action on the human body:

  • It aids in better absorption of mineral-based medicines in the bloodstream.
  • It acts as a corrective and thermogenic agent promoting digestive fire and revitalizing metabolism.
  • It reduces AMA or unwanted toxins in the body that stem out of undigested food.

That’s not all. Trikatu Churna comes in handy if you’re facing any of the following health concerns:

Trikatu Churna For Thyroid

Trikatu is used as a dietary supplement for treating thyroid and is extremely beneficial in treating issues that creep up due to hypothyroidism such as obesity, puffy eyes, lethargy, body-heaviness etc. Plus, it helps in reducing TSH levels as well.

Suggested Remedy: You can take the Churna along with warm water. Please consult your doctor for understanding the correct dosage and appropriate frequency.

 

Trikatu For Weight Loss

If you’re someone who has struggled with obesity all your life, it’s time to try this miraculous herbal medicine. Trikatu addresses the root cause of obesity and corrects the body’s metabolic rate. Plus, it prevents the accumulation of fat and burns the already-present fat deposits, thereby ensuring you stay fit and fine always!

Suggested Remedy: You can take the Churna along with warm water. Please consult your doctor for understanding the correct dosage and appropriate frequency.

Important: Trikatu is known to boost your appetite levels. In such a scenario, it is highly recommended that you opt for a well-balanced diet comprising of fruits and vegetable to curb those hunger pangs instead of eating junk food. In a couple of days, the body’s appetite naturally lowers as it becomes accustomed to the effects of this churna.

 

Trikatu For Cough And Cold

Trikatu Churna is often paired with honey and Tulsi to treat cases of ongoing cough and cold. Ideally, it is most effective in the first two days from the onset of cold and congestion.

Suggested Remedy: You can take 250 mg of Trikatu Churna, 500 mg of Pushkarmool (Inula Racemosa) and 1 tablespoon of honey, twice a day for relief. Alternatively, Shree Nityanandam Shree suggests you consume Trikatu tea by taking black pepper, dried ginger, and long pepper in equal amounts. Simply mix all the three ingredients and consume 1/2 teaspoon of this mixture in 1 glass of lukewarm water. You can also add honey to enhance its taste. This remedy is particularly useful if the cold and cough happens overnight with a running nose and excessive congestion.

 

Trikatu For Skin Issues

Trikatu can treat various skin diseases.

Suggested remedy: You can take Trikati, Haritaki, sesame oil, and jaggery for at least a month to see any noticeable differences. Please consult an expert to understand the appropriate dosage for this remedy.

 

Trikatu For Ascites

There are three kinds of ascites people suffer from.

Suggested Remedy: In cases of ascites due to a dominant Kapha, you can take fat-less buttermilk, yavani, rock salt, and cumin seeds. For ascites with a Pitta dominance, you can consume full-fat buttermilk and Trikatu powder. For ascites caused due to an imbalance in all the three doshas, you can take buttermilk, tryusana, yavakshara and rock salt. Please seek expert advice on the appropriate dosage for both the measures mentioned above.

 

Trikatu For Constipation

Trikatu is helpful in treating sticky constipation.

Suggested remedy: You can grind 30 gms each of trikatu and Triphala, 50gms of five salt (Saindhava, Sauvarchala, Vida, Samudra, and Audbhida Lavana), 10gms of pomegranate seeds, and 10gms of myrobalan chebulic together to make a mixture. Then, mix 6gms of this mixture with water and consume twice a day.

Note: However, it is important to note that if you’re experiencing throat rashes or have a dry cough, Trikatu may not be suitable. Please consult your doctor to understand the best way forward in such a condition.

 

 

Trikatu’s Side-Effects & Precautionary Measures

Consuming Trikatu in excess amounts (more than 1-3 gm a day) can have the following side effects:

  • Acidity and heartburn
  • Burning after-taste in the mouth
  • Burning sensations in the throat
  • Increased feelings of heat sensations in the body
  • Mouth ulcers
  • Excessive sweating
  • Redness or burning in the eyes.

 

Precautionary Measures to Keep in Mind

It is safe to use during pregnancy (500 mg at maximum) and lactation (1,000 mg at maximum). That said, please consult your doctor to understand the correct dosage basis your health history, the progress of the pregnancy, etc. If taken in excess, Trikatu may cause miscarriage, spotting, or bleeding.

 

Where You Can Buy It Online?

If you’re wondering about Trikatu’s price, we’ll put your concerns at ease. Here are the top-three brands you can try for Trikatu medicine:

    • Trikatu Himalaya: This medicine in the tablet form helps to treat dyspepsia and respiratory disorders such as cough, dyspnoea, etc. It can be taken twice daily or as directed by your doctor. It contains 60 tablets and is priced at INR 468 only.
    • Trikatu Churna Patanjali: This churna acts as a raambaan for health issues relating to indigestion, dyspepsia, and cough. Perhaps the best part is that it is priced at INR 14 only for a packet of 10 gm.
    • Trikatu Churna Baidyanath: This churna comes power-packed with ingredients such as Piper Nigrum, Piper Longum, Zingiber Officinalis etc. and helps to treat the liver disorders, indigestion, and amoebiasis. In terms of the dosage, you can take 1 teaspoon a day or as directed by your physician. This 100gm pack is priced at INR 120.



 

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Trikatu Churna: The "Amapachak" or The Flusher of Toxins Benefits: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects
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Trikatu Churna Powder Amapachak, Uses, Benefits, Side-Effects, Price, Trikatu Churna For Thyroid, Himalaya Trikatu Benefits For Weight Loss
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