Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) vs Triphala (Terminalia chebula blend)

Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis)

Triphala (Terminalia chebula blend)

About

Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) is an aromatic evergreen shrub or small tree that can grow up to about 65 ft (20 m). It features leathery, dark green, lance-shaped leaves, small yellow flowers, and shiny black berries. The plant is well known for its culinary use (“bay leaves”) as well as its medicinal history in ancient Greece and Rome.

Triphala is not a single herb but a traditional Ayurvedic blend of three fruits: haritaki (Terminalia chebula), bibhitaki (Terminalia bellirica), and amalaki or Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis). Haritaki is described in Ayurveda as having five flavors (bitter, sour, astringent, salty, and sweet). Bibhitaki is described as pungent and warming. Amalaki is also described as having five flavors (sour, astringent, sweet, pungent, and bitter) and contains small amounts of anthraquinones.

Safety & precautions

Essential Oil: Never take bay laurel essential oil internally. Topical Use: The oil should be used only in very dilute form to avoid skin irritation or allergic reactions.

Medicines: MSK notes that triphala may increase side effects from drugs processed by the CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 enzymes, so ask a pharmacist before combining it with medicines.

Safety text above is printed in full and is never abbreviated. For each plant’s complete precautions, drug and food interactions and preparation notes, open its own page - both are free.