Trikatu Churna is a simple mixture of three Indian spices. Trikatu Churna is in powder form. It is widely used in Ayurvedic treatments and in Indian household. Trikatu Churna falls both under medicinal herbs and dietary herbs. Trikatu churna is also known as Trikatu choornam, Trikatu choorna, Katutraya churna, Kadutraya churna etc.
Chruna is a Sanskrit term meaning powder. Trikatu – Tri – means three, katu – herbs that are hot and pungent. Overall, Triaktu powder is a fine powder mix of three spices.
Table of Contents
What is Trikatu churna?
Trikatu powder contains three spices in equal proportions.
Black pepper – Piper nigrum
Long pepper fruit – Piper longum
Ginger – Zingiber officinalis.
If these spices are available, the Trikatu powder can be made at home, under hygienic conditions, using a mixer.
Trikatu synonyms, benefits
Synonyms: Trikadu, Katutraya, Vyosha, Trigadugam, Trikatukam, Trikatuka
Thirikatugu Chooranam – manufactured by SKM Siddha & Ayurveda Company.
Trikatu is hot in potency. Trikatu is stimulative in nature, good for liver, spleen and pancreas. Trikatu choornam stimulates stomach to produce enzymes. Hence it helps in digestion. Trikatu is also good for respiratory system.
Traditional references
Trikatu Churna is also known as Trayushana. Ushana means hot or pungent.
Deepana – it improves digestion strength.
Shleshmaghna – it balances Kahpa dosha.
Medoghna – it burns fat. Reduces cholesterol levels.
Kushta – useful in skin diseases.
Peenasa – useful in running nose, allergic rhinitis.
Jayet Arochakam – relieves anorexia.
Ama – useful to relieve Ama (a state of indigestion).
Meha – useful in diabetes.
Gulma – useful in abdominal tumor, bloating.
Galamaya – useful in throat infection and diseases.
Reference of Thirikatugu Chooranam:
Agasthiyar Paripooranam- 400.
Indication
Trikatu for liver, skin diseases, ascites:
Trikatu is experimentally proven to have liver protection activity against liver damage. (research). Its Deepana, Pachana effect (Carminative and digestive) can be understood as its ability to stimulate liver to produce enzymes. (Pitta = digestion capacity = digestive enzymes. Trikatu increases Pitta.)
Its one ingredient – Pippali (long pepper) is especially used in treating hepatomegaly and splenomegaly.
Black pepper is an excellent antiviral and antibacterial spice (research), Hence useful in liver infection.
For this reason, Trikatu is an ingredient of many Ayurvedic medicines targeted for liver disorders. For example:
Parpatakarishtam – Used in anemia, chronic liver disorders, hepatomegaly
Sarva Jvarahara Lauha – used in hepatomegaly
Gudapippali – used in infectious liver conditions
Other such examples (including, but not limited to) are – Patoladi Churna, Navayasa churna.
Trikatu for skin diseases:
Intake of Trikatu along with Harad (Haritaki), Jaggery and sesame oil for 1 month cures skin diseases. (reference: Charaka Chikitsa Sthana 7/61)
Trikatu for ascites:
Reference: Charaka Chikitsa Sthana 13th chapter)
For the patient suffering from Kaphaja type of Udara Roga (ascites with Kapha Dosha dominance, fat-less buttermilk added with Yavani, Rock salt, cumin seeds and Trikatu is administered.
Indications of Thirikatugu Chooranam:
- Kaichchal/suram [fever]
- Murai kaichchal/murai suram [intermittent fever]
- Sanni [delirium]
- Seethalam [cold]
- Irumal [cough/bronchitis]
- Seriyamai [indigestion]
- Agnimaandham [dyspepsia]
- Vayittru porumal [flatulence]
- Seriyamai vayittru vali [stomach pain due to indigestion]
- Seriyamai kazhichchal [diarrhea due to indigestion]
Dose, side effects, research
Dose: 500 mg to 3 grams in divided doses in a day, preferably after food. Trikatu Churna can be taken along with honey or water. If it is too spicy to taste as such, it can also be added to food and taken along with the food.
In case of gastritis patients, where Trikatu needs to be administered, it is administered along with Shankha Bhasma.
Trikatu Side Effects – Due to hot potency, Trikatu may worsen gastritis. May cause burning sensation in higher doses.
Research articles on Trikatu – Trikatu churna – action against intestinal worms (anthelminthic activity) – read here Anti bacterial effect of Trikatu churna – read here Liver protective activity of Trikatu churna – read here
Before food or after food?
what would be the best time to have trikatu churna, before meal or after meal to improve appetite and assimilation of food? and how much before or after i should take it?
Answer by Dr JV Hebbar
If the patient does not have heart burn, then before food. If patient has heart burn / sensitive stomach, then after food. Dose is 3 – 5 grams, based on doctor’s advice.
Ayurvedic medicines
Ayurvedic products with Trikatu Churna as ingredient –
Trikatu Ayurveda – Trikatu is a unique herbal combination. When used along with other herbs, Trikatu enhances the bio-availability of active constituents of the co-herbs in the target area of disease. Trikatu is used as an ingredient in many Ayurvedic medicines such as Kanchnar Guggul, Navayasa Lauha, Dashamoolakatutraya kashaya, Ashwagandharishta, Cofavin syrup, Cofavin DM syrup etc.
Herbal jams –
Chitrak haritaki
Dashamoola Haritaki
Vilwadi Lehyam
Haridra Khand
Tablets:
Gokshuradi Guggulu
Shiva Gutika
Yograj Guggulu
Herbal ghee with Trigadugam
Triphala ghrita
Vyoshadi Vataka
In Pittaja Udara (ascites due to Pitta), Buttermilk prepared from well formed curd along with the powder of Trikatu.
If the patient is suffering from Sannipatika Udara (ascites with all Three Dosha imbalance, then he should take buttermilk along with Tryusana, Yavakshara and rock salt.
Use of Trikatu in proprietary Ayurvedic medicines:
Trikadu is used as an ingredient in many Ayurvedic medicines such as
Pep-up tablet, which is used for the treatment of anorexia, flatulence, indigestion and dyspepsia.
Zeal Cough Syrup – Manufactured by Vasu Healthcare pharmaceuticals, Vadodara, Gujarat. Zeal cough syrup is a safe cough therapy with triple action formula.
Zeal Herbal Granules is a proprietary Ayurvedic medicine manufactured by Vasu Healthcare pharmaceuticals, Vadodara, Gujarat. Zeal Herbal Granules facilitates congestion free easy breathing.
Zeal Kid Drops – It is a safe and effective treatment for cold and cough in children under 3 years.
Presentation of Thirikatugu Chooranam:
Pack of 100 g & 500 g.
Hello Dr. Hebbar, I would like to know your thoughts on taking trikatu before meals. Also can this be taken with some guggul for a synergistic effect.
Trikatu before food may cause burning sensation. At the best it can be taken just 5 minutes before food.
Trikatu with guggulu can be taken after food as an anti inflammatory medicine. But again, it is not indicated for people with sensitive stomach.
Thank you for your response. I make my own trikatu in a coffee grinder. Since, I am a student in the USA, long pepper was hard (and expensive) to procure. For those reading this, I would like to suggest Banyan botanicals as a source for powdered long pepper (Pippali). Dried ginger (sonth) is easily available at Indian grocery stores, else you can dehydrate your own. Black pepper is easily available, thankfully.
Thanks. Hope the resource info helps many. 🙂
I also appreciate people making their own Ayurvedic products, in stead of buying readymade ones from the market. We never can know if they contain all the true ingredients.
Just a minute before food, Trikatu with ghee is best. if you feel any burning sensation, take quarter a cup of milk, after taking Trikatu with ghee. Then have food.
Is it treat Hay Fever?
Should i take trikutu with raw sugar after meals twice a day ?
If you do not have any gastritis issue, you can take it just 3 minutes before meals.
Better not. It will worsen it.
Read some of home remedies that you can try – https://www.easyayurveda.com/2011/01/05/ayurvedichome-remedies-for-acidity-and-gastritis/
How many does it work to lower cholesterol?
It helps to improve fat utilization by the body, hence helping in fat burning.
Hi, might help only to a small extent. Please consult an Ayurvedic doctor in person.
Hi Dear,Is it possible cardiac patients and dietary take Trikatu?
If the patient can tolerate hotness of Trikatu, then surely cardiac patients can have it. It helps to improve metabolism, stomach and intestine enzyme levels and to reduce cholesterol levels as well.
does trikatu help with weightloss? if so, how should it be administered? thanks.
A very small dose of quarter a teaspoon along with a teaspoon of honey, in the morning, after food, for a period of two months, is helpful in weight loss. But care should be taken not to go beyond this dose. or else, it may increase appetite and may eventually cause weight gain.
However, people with sensitive stomach should exercise precaution.
Can you perhaps elaborate on how trikatu helps the spleen and liver? (particularly the former)
thank you.
This question is so important, I included this topic within the article above. Thanks for asking.
hello dr. hebbar
I like your words.. guide us . thanks .
I preparae one mixture of dry black grapes + almonds + honey +sunthi, pimpali , miri _, dalcjini , amala juice , — grind together + cow ghee…. nice flavor and very good teste c an i take after food for good health
Thanks
sneha
Combination looks good. You can take it after food. Best regards.
Dr.Hebbar, is Trikatu helpful in treating Jaundice?
Spices sound good, could they be used in a pickle of mango or limes or amra instead of taking as powders of medicine?
Sure! You can use these spices to make pickles and use it. But it is not good to use spicy pickle on a daily basis. Once in a while, say, three days a week is fine.
Hello dr. Is Trikatu powder helps in asthma problems? I have breathing problems as well allergies from dust and pollution . Can it helps .?
Because of Trikatu’s hot nature, it balances Kapha and Vata doshas, both of which are imbalanced in asthma. Hence, it is very useful. It is also very useful for dust allergy. But care should be taken in its usage, as it may cause gastric irritation.
Good article.Thanks u very much Dr.
It helps to improve digestion strength and metabolism. It also useful in treating obesity, associated with Hypothyroidism. But it may not directly cure hypothyroidism.
Hi, I am unaware of any Ayurvedic medicine, which once taken will cure diabetes forever.
But with exercise, active lifestyle, healthy diet, you can keep sugar levels under good control. Read more about Ayurvedic treatment for diabetes here – https://www.easyayurveda.com/2013/11/25/madhumeha-ayurvedic-understanding-diabetes-mellitus/
i want to drink a healthy one instead of coffee in empty stomach.can u suggest any combination of mixture. i am also overweighted person.
Dear Dr Hebbar, I am Kapha dominant. I take 1 capsule of Triphala with 1 capsule of Shuddhu Guggula for detoxification and weight reduction. When should I take Trikatu?
paralysis pt can take trikatu churna and how much quantity
Dr Hebbar it is very kind of you to give such information to public.. Thank u for that..u say trikatu helps in digestion strengthens stomach.. IBut it may trigger gastritis.. But isn’t that opposite. I have gastritis becoz of weak digestion.. Constipation n bloating.. So now am confused.. I am also kapha natured person and overweight.. What dosage shud I take?
Hi, if someone has weak digestion strength but not gastritis / high acidity, then Trikatu can be useful.
In your case,. Trikatu helps with Kapha and overweight. Hence, you can take half a teaspoon (small spoon) along with half a teaspoon of ghee in the morning, after food.
Can diabetic patient can take trikatu
My sister is obese (100+kg) with very high B.P and cholesterol. Please let me know whether taking Trikatu regularly will help her to reduce her weight, B.P and cholesterol. She had undergone gall bladder operation long back.
Hi Dr,
Thank you for such a wonderful website. I really appreciate it.
My constitution is Vata/Pitta and at the moment I have teeth indentations on the outer edges of my tongue so I understand this means malabsorption issues. The rest of my tongue is fine. I have low thyroid and low adrenals but they are getting better with the right vitamins, minerals and daily yoga. I have had magnesium absorption issues for sometime and was wondering if trikatu can help with general malabsroption issues? I’ve also started making Vasant Lad’s Agni tea to sip throughout the day.
How to take trikatu as I was under the impression 2 capsules 1 hour before food was the norm.
Thank you for your time.
Krishna Das
Hi, in your case, it is best to take Trikatu capsule – 1 capsule 2 times a day, 10 minutes after food. Please consult an Ayurveda doctor directly, as trikatu in some may cause burning sensation in stomach.
Hello!
My ayurveda doctor passed me trikatu before and after the main meals of the day in 3 days. For detoxification. But I suffer from acid reflux. Is it a good option? At lunch I did not felt any burning sensation, but then when I made a meal in the afternoon I felt.
I think it really helped for gases and digestion tough.
Thanks for your time.
Please read effective kidney stone remedies here – easyayurveda.com/2013/10/24/kidney-stones-urinary-calculi-ayurveda-remedies-treatment-detail/
I do not recommend Trikatu for your son. Please consult an Ayurveda doctor directly. Online advice for children can be dangerous.
Thanks!
I suffers from chronic asthma can you tell how to take trikata in what quantity & when?
Hi,
How can we use Trikattu for breathelessness.Since 2-3 months I am facing breahtlessness.I live in USA.Can you please tell what should I take for it.I have started pranayama for it.
It should be taken after food, with ghee.
Let her stop it for now.
dear sir meri fioncee ko thyroid he hiski vajese weight badhta nahi he ekdam se single body hogai he.. kya trikut davai se thyroid thik ho sakta he??? body badh sakti???
I have a friend who is a pitta-kapha constitution and has some lower abdomen weight that won’t go. Is it safe to take triaktu powder for a couple of months or will aggravate his pitta too much? He has no digestive issues or acid/stomach issues.
Thank u Dr for replying back. Actually just wanted to know how to take Trikatu not personal advice.
Hello,
I’m taking trikatu tablets (125 gr) for my undiagnosed digestive issues, 2 tablets 15 minutes before each meal as per recommendation of a ayurveda doctor. I feel some improvements – namely no vertigo and less bloating -, but may have become slightly constipated? The sides of my abdomen kind of hurt, front and back, more to the left side.
I’m thinking it’s working, but my question is, will the results only last as long as I keep on taking the tablets? That is, do I have to take it forever?
That doctor mentioned something about feeling warmed and that I eventually could stop… but can’t confirm it.
Hi Dr Hebbar, I’m pitta/kapha with some digestive issues and some skin problems (rosacea) and have excess abdominal fat. I’m wondering if taking Trikatu and Triphala would help to get rid of the excess internal abdominal fat but in the meantime don’t want to further aggravate the pitta. Any advice would be appreciated.
Better to take it for 2 months, then give a month gap and continue again for 2 months.
Not to a great extent. 2 grams at night after food for a month can be tried.
Being asthmatic and anosmic prescribe me for ayurvedic treatment besides trikatu what are other natural antihistamines to help in above mentioned desease.
IF AN ALLOPATHIC ANTIHISTAMINE (CETRIZINE/LAEVO CETRIZINE ) DOES HAVE EQUIVALENT IN AYURVEDA,IF SO PLS. WRITE WHAT ARE THEY?
Thanks a lot Doctor sahib,pls. let me know how I have to consume Haridrakhand with milk or with hot water?
Hot water
Sir, I am having cough from last 4 month. I feel nausia , continuous irritation in the throat, cough will be some time dry or with mucus.mucus is white in colour. No temperature. Some fiscomdisc in chest. I consulted physical he told it’s is bronchitis. As I could not comfortable with antibiotics. Now I think it’s become Cronin bronchitis.please help me.
No. Better to stop it.
Sir. I am nursing mother for 3month old..how effective is Triphala n trikatu choorna together for weight loss and does it effect lactation
Sir I have low stomach acid. I tried taking trikatu before meals and it burned. Should the 1/2 teaspoon of trikatu with 1/2 teaspoon of ghee be taken immediately after food or 10-15 minutes after food? Thank you.