Trikantakadi Guggulu--- Ingredients, Benefits, Dose, Limitations.
Just like any other disorders, Ayurveda expertises in the treatment of urinary disorders. We can find many effective formulations in the core of Ayurvedic treatises which are used in treating difficult diseases of urinary system. Trikantakadi Guggulu is one such wonderful formulation used in effective treatment of dysuria, urinary diseases and urinary stones. .
Meaning--
Trikantakadi Guggulu, this term can be split into 2 components:
Trikantakadi which means Trikantaka (Gokshura or Tribulus terrestris) and other herbs
Guggulu means Commiphora mukul
Thus Trikantakadi means a medicinal formulation or compound prepared with Trikantaka as the chief ingredient, with Guggulu as base ingredient (which is also other chief ingredient).
Trikantakadi Guggulu is one of the popular Guggulu Kalpas. Guggulu Kalpas are a set of formulations which are prepared with Guggulu or Commiphora mukul as the chief ingredient. The name of the Kalpas change according to the ingredients used the methods in which they are prepared or the diseases in which they are indicated.
Indications and benefits of Trikantakadi Guggulu--
Trikantakadi Guggulu is used to treat the below said conditions
Prameha – Urinary disorders, DiabetesPradara – Menorrhagia (excessive uterine bleeding)Mutraghata – diseases wherein there is obstruction to the free flow of urineMutrakrichchra – difficulty to pass urine or painful micturation (dysuria)Ashmari – urinary calculi (stones in the urinary tract)Shukra doshas – contamination and diseases of the semen (reproductive tissue)
Simily--
Trikantakadi Guggulu is said to ward off the above said diseases just like the wind with high velocity will scatter and destroy the clouds.
Trikantakadi Guggulu– Ingredients and method of preparation
त्रिकण्टकानां क्वथिते अष्ट निध्ने पुरं पचेत् पाक विधान युक्त्या।
फल त्रिक व्योष पयो धराणां चूर्णं पुरेण प्रमितं प्रदध्यात्॥
वटी प्रमेहं प्रदरं च मूत्राघातं च कृच्छ्रं च तथा अश्मरीं च।
अहुक्रस्य दोषान् सकलां च वातान् निहन्ति मेघान् इव वायु वेगः॥(यो.र.मूत्राकृच्छ्र चिकित्सा.१,२)
Trikantakaanaam kwathite ashta nidhne puram pachet paaka vidhaana yuktyaa
Phala trika vyosha payo dharaanaam choornam purena pramitam pradadhyaat
Vatee prameham pradaram cha mootraaghaatam cha kruchchram cha tathaa ashmareem cha
Shukrasya doshaan sakalaam cha vaataan nihanti meghaan iva vaayu vegaha (Ref – Yoga Ratnakara Mutrakrichchra Chikitsaa, 1,2)
The below mentioned are ingredients of Trikantakadi Guggulu:
Gokshura – Tribulus terrestris
Guggulu – Commiphora mukul
Haritaki – Terminalia chebula
Bibhitaki – Terminalia bellirica
Amalaki – Phyllanthus Emblica / Emblica officinalis (Indian gooseberry)
Pippali – Piper longum (long pepper)
Maricha – Black pepper
Shunti – Ginger
Musta – Cyperus rotundus
Method of preparation –
Preparation of Gokshura Kwatha – First the decoction of Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris) should be prepared. For this, 1 portion of coarse powder of Gokshura is boiled with 16 times water on moderate fire, until 1/8th portion of the liquid remains. This is filtered and the filtrate is collected.
Processing Guggulu – The Guggulu is heated in the above said Kashaya or Kwatha and is processed.
Adding other ingredients – When the Guggulu has been properly processed in the Gokshura Kwatha, the powder of Triphala (i.e. Haritaki, Bibhitaki and Amalaki), powder of Trikatu (Pippali, Maricha and Shunti) and powder of Musta are added and thoroughly mixed until a semisolid material is obtained. The quantity of all the powders put together should be equal to that of the quantity of Guggulu.
When the contents cool down, tablets should be prepared from them. Tablets should be dried in shade and stored in air tight vessels or containers. The tablets can be consumed fresh.
The tablets thus obtained are called Trikantakadi Guggulu.
Dose – 1-2 tablets per day or as directed by the physician
Vehicle (Anupana) –
The medicine should be taken with Ushnodaka (hot water) or any Kashaya / kwatha which act on the uro-genital system like Brihatyadi Kashayam, Sukumara Kashayam, Vidaryadi Kashayam, Nishakatakadi Kashayam, etc or as directed by the physician. The tablet shall be used with different vehicles in urinary disorders (mutrakrichra, mutraghata, prameha etc), diabetes (madhumeha), gynaecological disorders or diseases pertaining to uterus (pradara etc).
Specialty and probable mode of action of Trikantakadi Guggulu –
Trikantakadi Guggulu is a combination of Gokshura and Guggulu, with inclusions of Triphala, Trikatu and Musta.
Seeing the indications, it is clear that the medicine is prescribed in urinary and genital disorders.
The whole ingredients are processed in the decoction of Gokshura, which by itself is a good diuretic and aphrodisiac. Gokshura is also used extensively in the treatment of urinary disorders like Mutrakrichra (dysuria or difficulty in passing urine), Mutraghata (obstruction to passage of urine), Mutra ashmari (urinary stones) and Prameha (urinary disorders, diabetes mellitus).
Gokshura along with Guggulu and other ingredients have potential anti-inflammatory action.
Most of these diseases are caused by vitiated kapha with association of either morbid vata or pitta. The whole compound has potential kapha alleviating property. Morbid kapha tends to trespass into the sites of Vata wherein the urinary and genital apparatus are present, mainly controlled by Apana Vayu. Apana Vayu helps in easy discharge of urine, semen, stools and menstrual blood. The kapha gravitated due to the pulling effect of vata, blocks the apana vayu functions and blocks the excretion of all these elements. This is the cause of many urinary and genital disorders mentioned above. By clearing the blocks caused by morbid kapha, the whole compound clears the channels and pathways for these elements to be eliminated properly in proper time.
Triphala also clears the constipation and urinary blocks. Constipation is many times a causative factor for urinary obstruction and menstrual disorders, dysmenorrhoea, dysuria etc conditions.
Triphala, Musta, Trikatu and Triphala have good vata alleviating property. When Vayu gets controlled, all the activities will be conducted in a smooth way.
Triphala and Gokshura are very good herbs in dealing with the contamination of semen by doshas (veerya dosha). The compound as a whole will also act on endometrial functions and correct uterine disorders, menorrhagia and dysmenorrhoea. Pradara (menorrhagia) is caused due to apana vata dysfunctions being associated with either morbid kapha, which blocks the vayu functions or morbid pitta which causes inflammation. The whole compound acts effectively to reduce swelling and inflammation. This reduces the quantum of bleeding in the consecutive periods, but care should be taken not to administer it during the bleeding phase, it should be administered in inter-menstrual phase.
Apart from being a potential laxative, Triphala has Rasayana properties (rejuvenation, anti-ageing, immune modulator) which helps in effective healing and also in preventing relapses. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory and also reduces oedema in the genito-urinary passages.
Guggulu is the best in the business of rectifying and stabilizing the metabolic errors. It removes blocks in various channels of the body and facilitates easy transportation of nutrients and essentials. Guggulu effectively alleviates Vata which is basically the causative factor for all the painful and obstructive conditions.
The vata alleviating property of Trikatu, Guggulu and Triphala in the compound imparts a total and comprehensive effect on the morbid Vata. The laxative property of Triphala helps in pushing the vitiated Vata in a downward direction, hence clearing the lower passages and keeping the abdomen and pelvis clean and sterile.
Limitations of Trikantakadi Guggulu –
Trikantakadi Guggulu is an excellent remedy for uro-genital diseases but should be skilfully chosen. It is not wise to try this remedy in the presence of large urinary stones, when the causes of urinary obstruction is not known and if there is any serious disorder at the backdrop of urinary blockage, in conditions of heart diseases and kidney diseases and in kidney damage or failure.
It should be used under observation in people who are suffering from hypertension or any serious illness of chronic origin, in pregnancy and during active severe bleeding. It is not a single handed remedy in the mentioned disorders and shall need the support of co-prescriptions in the form of disease modifying formulations.
Its action will be enhanced when used along with or following Virechana (therapeutic purgation), vasti (therapeutic enemas), uttara vasti (enemas administered through urinary or genital passages) or external therapies like avagaha (tub bath) etc.
Just before finishing –
Try Ayurvedic way of treatment and medication to enjoy better quality and quantity of health.
Trikantakadi Guggulu might not be a universal remedy for the above said conditions in everyone, because the treatment and medication differs from person to person depending on their Prakriti (birth constitution) and Vikriti (nature of morbidity). Other disease modifying medicines might be required to enhance the effect of this compound
