Mahatriphala Ghrita in classical Ayurveda

What it is

Mahatriphala Ghrita (also called Maha Triphaladya Ghrita) is a classical Ayurvedic medicated ghee, a ghrita kalpana, in which cow's ghee is processed with the decoction and fresh juices of Triphala (Haritaki, Bibhitaki, Amalaki) together with Bhringaraja, Vasa, Shatavari, and Guduchi, plus goat milk. A paste of Pippali, rock sugar, Draksha, Nilotpala, Yashtimadhu, Kshirakakoli, and Kantakari is added during preparation (Pentacare product monograph).

The commonly cited classical reference is the Bhaishajya Ratnavali's eye-disease chapter (Netra Rogadhikara, verses 173–180), and the formulation is listed in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India, Part I (p. 78), per a published review of ocular Ayurvedic therapies (Singh et al., WJPR 2015). One classical listing worth flagging: a DAV Pharmacy label traces its Mahatriphala Ghrit to the Chakradatta's Apasmara (epilepsy) chapter instead: so different sources anchor the "same" name in different classical contexts (DAV Pharmacy). The eye-disorder framing comes from the Bhaishajya Ratnavali/AFI lineage.

Classical properties

• Taste (rasa): astringent (Kashaya), sweet (Madhura)
• Qualities (guna): oily (Snigdha)
• Potency (virya): cooling (Sheeta)
• After digestion (vipaka): sweet (Madhura)
• Doshas: traditionally said to settle Vata and Pitta; may increase Kapha

Traditional use

In the Bhaishajya Ratnavali lineage, Mahatriphala Ghrita is classed among eye preparations (netra roga): traditional indications named across sources include night blindness (naktandhya), dim vision (timira), burning sensation of the eyes, and, on manufacturer labels, myopia, hypermetropia, and cataract (Pentacare, DAV Pharmacy). It is traditionally taken internally with warm milk or water, and also used in oleation procedures (snehakarma) and eye tarpana (Nidco Herbal). These are traditional indications, not clinical proof.

What research has looked at

No randomized trials of Mahatriphala Ghrita itself were found. The closest human evidence concerns the simpler Triphala Ghrita, a different, less complex formulation, and cannot be transferred to Mahatriphala Ghrita:

• An open-label randomized comparative trial (30 patients, 15 per group; PMID 34566385) tested eye-tarpana with Triphala Ghrita versus ghee supernatant for dry eye syndrome (Shushkakshipaka) over 7 days. Moderate relief (50–75%) was seen in 73.3% of patients in both groups (Timmapur & Fiaz, AYU 2021). Small, unblinded, and not this formulation.
• In rats, lab-prepared Triphala Ghrita given orally delayed the onset and progression of galactose-induced cataract in a dose-dependent manner, an effect the authors attributed to antioxidant constituents such as gallic acid, ellagic acid, and ascorbic acid (animal study, DOI 10.1155/2011/571627) (Mahajan et al., E-J Chem 2011). Animal data on a related formulation: not evidence it treats cataract in people.
• A 2015 review of Ayurvedic ocular therapies reports older small clinical studies in which eye-tarpana with Mahatriphala Ghrita, combined with oral Punarnava decoction, was associated with reduced intraocular pressure in chronic simple glaucoma: but the review gives sparse methodological detail, so this remains very weak evidence (Singh et al., WJPR 2015).

Bottom line: the formulation's eye indications rest on classical tradition; modern evidence is indirect, small, or animal-based.

Safety notes

• Safety data for the finished product in pregnancy and breastfeeding is limited: talk to a clinician.
• As a ghee-based preparation it is calorie-dense and rich in saturated fat; people with gallbladder disease or markedly elevated cholesterol should use it only with medical guidance.
• Eye procedures (tarpana) with any ghrita should be done only by a trained practitioner; do not put the product in your eyes on your own.
• No drug-interaction studies exist for this formulation: safety data is limited, so talk to a clinician. (Nidco Herbal usage disclaimer)

FAQs

What is Mahatriphala Ghrita?

A medicated ghee in which cow's ghee is processed with Triphala decoction and juices plus Bhringaraja, Vasa, Shatavari, and Guduchi, with goat milk, Pippali, and rock sugar. The Bhaishajya Ratnavali's eye-disease chapter (verses 173–180) is the commonly cited classical reference, also listed in the Ayurvedic Formulary of India. (Pentacare, Singh et al., WJPR 2015)

What is the difference between Triphala Ghrita and Mahatriphala Ghrita?

Triphala Ghrita is the simpler preparation, essentially Triphala processed in ghee, while Mahatriphala (Maha Triphaladya) Ghrita adds many more ingredients: Bhringaraja, Vasa, Shatavari, Guduchi juices, goat milk, and a paste of Pippali, Yashtimadhu, Nilotpala, Draksha, and others. Most published research is on the simpler Triphala Ghrita, so its results cannot be transferred to Mahatriphala Ghrita. (Pentacare)

Is there proof it helps cataract or glaucoma?

No: for Mahatriphala Ghrita itself, none. A 2015 review reports studies of eye-tarpana with Mahatriphala Ghrita in glaucoma noting lower eye pressure, but details are sparse. An animal study of the simpler Triphala Ghrita delayed cataract in rats. Neither proves this product treats these conditions in people. (Singh et al., WJPR 2015, Mahajan et al., E-J Chem 2011)

Can it help dry eyes?

Possibly as part of a procedure, but the evidence is for a different formulation. A 2021 open-label trial (30 patients) tested eye-tarpana with Triphala Ghrita versus plain ghee supernatant for dry eye; about three-quarters in both groups got moderate relief. It proves nothing about Mahatriphala Ghrita. (Timmapur & Fiaz, AYU 2021)

Is Mahatriphala Ghrita safe in pregnancy?

Safety data for the finished product in pregnancy is limited: talk to a clinician. It is a ghee-based preparation, so people with gallbladder disease or very high cholesterol should be cautious, and anyone using it in the eyes (tarpana) should do so only under a trained practitioner. No interaction studies exist for this formulation. (Nidco Herbal)

What are its traditional uses?

Classical sources place it among eye remedies: the Bhaishajya Ratnavali chapter lists night blindness, timira (dim vision), and other netra roga, and one classical listing also connects a Mahatriphala Ghrita recipe with the epilepsy chapter of the Chakradatta. Manufacturers additionally list burning eyes, myopia, and hypermetropia. All of these are traditional indications, not clinical proof. (Pentacare, DAV Pharmacy)

Sources

Tier 1 — peer-reviewed journals

• Timmapur GM, Fiaz S. "Efficacy of Triphala Ghrita and Goghrita Manda Tarpana in the management of Shushkakshipaka w.s.r. to dry eye syndrome: An open labelled randomized comparative clinical trial." AYU 41(1):52–57 (2021). PMID 34566385, PMCID PMC8415239. Full text
• Mahajan KN, Singhai AK, Vadnere GP. "Investigation on Anticataract Activity of Triphala Ghrita." E-Journal of Chemistry 8(3):1438–1443 (2011). DOI 10.1155/2011/571627 (animal study). Record

Tier 2 — peer-reviewed reviews

• Singh et al. Review of contemporary pharmacological perspectives on tarpana, incl. reported glaucoma studies with Mahatriphala Ghrita (Bhaishajya Ratnavali Netra Rogadhikara 173–175; AFI Part-I, p. 78). WJPR 4(6), 2015. PDF

Tier 3 — classical aggregators and manufacturer labels (labeled as such)

• Pentacare — Maha Triphaladya Ghrita monograph: Bhaishajya Ratnavali Netra Rogadhikara 173–180 reference, full composition, traditional indications. Page
• DAV Pharmacy — Mahatriphla Ghrit label: Chakradatta Apasmara Rogadhikara reference, composition, therapeutic uses. Page
• Nidco Herbal — Mahatrifala Ghritam product description and physician-consultation disclaimer. Page

This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult a qualified practitioner before using any Ayurvedic formulation.