Concerns About Using Triphala for Constipation Relief - #46013
Reddit fear driven question about Triaphla, I have received some excellent advice on this page particular using Triaphla at night to support my magnesium oxide taper since I last wrote I managed to reduce my oxide dose by 50% over about 5 weeks, I was using 4 tablets a night since September due to chronic constipation brought on in August by male catheter and prolonged strong antibiotics and stimulant laxatives for 3.5 weeks. Since sept I have been building a routine oxide at night use of the bathroom in the early morning, all was working well until a few weeks ago when I picked up a really nasty male urinary infection and I had to once again go back on a course of cexafime antibiotics, which has disrupted by gut again. During uti blood tests, magnesium, phosphate and creatine were elevated so it prompted me to reduce to three magnesium a night which still worked for 3 weeka, for the last 2 week's I have again tapered it down to 2 a night, yes it worked but I had often feelings of incomplete emptying, last night I added to organic India Triaphla tablets along side and this mornings bathroom experience was much better however when I visited the reddit forum to discuss this I was told that Triaphla is also a stimulant laxative and it will cause me dependency and also stop working over time unless I increase the dose. I was really disappointed as I was hoping Triaphla would support my continued withdrawal from magnesium oxide. What is the Ayurvedic truth about Triaphla in regards to it being a stimulant laxative and my body becoming dependant? Kind regards Aaron
How frequently do you experience constipation?:
- DailyHave you noticed any specific triggers for your constipation?:
- Dietary changesWhat other treatments have you tried for constipation?:
- Herbal remedies

Doctors' responses
Thank you contacting Ask Ayurveda.I can understand why the comments you read created fear and disappointment, especially when you finally experienced a better bowel movement after so much struggle.
First of all Triphala is NOT a stimulant laxative in the way modern medicine defines stimulant laxatives (like senna, bisacodyl, cascara, or sodium picosulfate). This is a very important distinction that often gets misunderstood …
Stimulant laxatives work by forcefully irritating the intestines creating an artificial contraction. Over time, the gut becomes lazy, dependent, and requires higher doses to respond. Magnesium oxide also falls closer to this category because it works oamatically and can alter electrolyte imbalance, which you have already seen reflected in your blood report .
In Ayurveda, Triphala is classified as a Rasayana and Anulomana dravya, not a harsh purgative.Its role is to restore the natural downward movement of Apana Vata, gently tone the colon, improve digestion, and correct gut ecology over time.
Yes, one component of Triphala I.e has mild laxative action , but this is self limiting and regulatory, not forcing. It does not whip the bowel into motion. Instead, it: Improves colon sensitivity Reduces dryness and inflammation of the gut lining Supports nerve coordination of bowel movements Helps the colon remember its own rhythm
This is why Triphala has been safely used daily for months and even years in classical Ayurveda texts including in elderly patients and those recovering from illness — without dependency. It will stop working unless you increase the dose.
The statement is not true according to Ayurvedic clinical experience. In fact, in many patients, the opposite happens: The Dose can usually be reduced over time and eventually in some patients do not need it daily at all
You reduced magnesium by 50% over 5 weeks ,which is excellent progress, especially considering Prolonged antibiotics Catheter-related trauma Recurrent UTI Electrolyte imbalance Stimulant laxative exposure
Your recent antibiotic course disrupted your gut again , this is totally expected because Antibiotics reduce gut flora and increase dryness I.e vata and disturb function of vata. Adding Triphala at night supporting magnesium taper was actually a very sensible step, not a mistake.
If Triphala were a true stimulant laxative, it would cause: Cramping,Urgency,Burning sensation,Sudden watery stools
You did not experience this. Instead, you experienced better completeness and comfort , that itself tells us the mechanism is corrective, not forcing.
Ayurveda is about right dose and patience. The goal is not to push stools out but to teach the bowel to function again.
Triphala is not dependency forming,not a harsh stimulant and does not damage bowel intelligence when used correctly. It is often used specifically to help people withdraw safely from stronger laxatives, including magnesium-based ones.
Healing the gut after antibiotics and catheter trauma takes time.
With regards Dr prasad

100% Anonymous
600+ certified Ayurvedic experts. No sign-up.
About our doctors
Only qualified ayurvedic doctors who have confirmed the availability of medical education and other certificates of medical practice consult on our service. You can check the qualification confirmation in the doctor's profile.
