Navin M. Geria, Senior Technical Advisor and Principal Doctors Skin Prescription05.02.16
Ayurveda is one of the ancient medical traditions practiced in India and other south Asian countries. Ayurvedic cosmetics founded on ancient principles of Ayurveda have seen a steady rise in sales in recent months and is emerging as a new growth frontier for beauty business.
The goal of the Ayurvedic treatments is not only to bring about the slowing down of the aging process but also to make the body work at its best and bring vitality and peace to individuals.
Herbal anti-aging treatments are now being accepted by the scientific communities with Ayurvedic treatment being the most well known.
According to Ayurvedic treatment experts, maintaining a perfect balance among three aspects of the body—vata, kapha and pitta—is the secret to staying young looking and healthy.
This column will briefly explore anti aging properties of Triphala and Chebula species of Terminalia because it has potent anti-aging benefits.1 Its other two species, which are stronger in health claims, are Arjuna and Bellevice.
Clinical Studies
In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, terminalia has been used for years as a health-harmonizer. Its wide array of benefits are mostly attributed to its high content of phenolic compounds, flavanol glycosides and other phytonutrients.2 It has both health and anti-aging benefits and has been used to treat chronic ulcers as well as dental caries and heart ailments.
Other traditional indications include asthma, urinary disorders, wound healing and for promoting overall health and vitality of the body. In one research study, T. Chebula fruit extract demonstrated an inhibitory effect on the age-dependant shortening of the telomeres and UVB-induced oxidative damage in-vitro.3
Another research study, “Evidence Based Complement Alternate Medicine (2014:2014:701656),” reported that T. Chebula extract effectively scavenged free radicals and enhanced proliferation of keratinocytes and fibroblasts— leading to the conclusion that it promotes cellular proliferation while also inhibiting production of free radicals.3
A 5% topical preparation of T. Chebula was evaluated in another research study on the cheeks of human volunteers for eight weeks. This study concluded that the product provided significant improvement in skin moisture content, erythema, and overall rejuvenated human skin.4 T. Chebula’s phenolic compounds gallic acid, chebulagic acid, and chebulinic acid were isolated and evaluated.
They exhibited greater radical scavenging and melanin-inhibitory activity than the reference compounds ascorbic acid, BHT, alpha-tocopherol, arbutin and kojic acid proving its anti-oxidant and de-pigmenting benefits.
Antioxidant-Rich Triphala
Triphala is an antioxidant-rich herbal composition that combines fruits of three Terminalia species. It is especially revered for its ability to aid in balancing the three doshas (vata, pitta and kapha). Any imbalance in the doshas can affect you not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well.
Several studies in Ayurveda have demonstrated that triphala is a strong source of natural antioxidants and exhibits a broad range of beneficial effects including free radical scavenging, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-bacterial and wound healing.
Ayurvedic spas offer triphala masks. The high levels of antioxidants give you an anti-aging boost while simultaneously helping to clear the skin.
Conclusions
The association between Ayurveda, anti-aging and cosmeceuticals is gaining importance in the health and wellness sector. There is ample evidence supporting multiple biologic and anti-aging properties of these Ayurvedic herbal preparations. In the West, it is not a standard ingredient in dermatology practice.
Additional human clinical studies might confirm the age-old medical and anti-aging benefits that Ayurvedic science have always practiced since time immemorial.
References:
Navin M. Geria
Senior Technical Advisor and Principal Doctors Skin Prescription
tokuho02@gmail.com
Navin Geria, ex-Pfizer Research Fellow, is senior technical advisor and principal of the dermatological research company, Doctors Skin Prescription (DSP), Boston, founded by dermatologist David J. Goldberg, MD JD and plastic surgeons William P. Adams, MD FACS and Jason Pozner, MD. Geria has more than 30 years of experience in the personal care industry and was previously with Clairol, Warner-Lambert, Schick, Bristol-Myers and most recently, Spa Dermaceuticals. He has earned nearly 20 US patents, has been published extensively and has been both a speaker and a moderator at cosmetic industry events. www.dspskincare.com
The goal of the Ayurvedic treatments is not only to bring about the slowing down of the aging process but also to make the body work at its best and bring vitality and peace to individuals.
Herbal anti-aging treatments are now being accepted by the scientific communities with Ayurvedic treatment being the most well known.
According to Ayurvedic treatment experts, maintaining a perfect balance among three aspects of the body—vata, kapha and pitta—is the secret to staying young looking and healthy.
This column will briefly explore anti aging properties of Triphala and Chebula species of Terminalia because it has potent anti-aging benefits.1 Its other two species, which are stronger in health claims, are Arjuna and Bellevice.
Clinical Studies
In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, terminalia has been used for years as a health-harmonizer. Its wide array of benefits are mostly attributed to its high content of phenolic compounds, flavanol glycosides and other phytonutrients.2 It has both health and anti-aging benefits and has been used to treat chronic ulcers as well as dental caries and heart ailments.
Other traditional indications include asthma, urinary disorders, wound healing and for promoting overall health and vitality of the body. In one research study, T. Chebula fruit extract demonstrated an inhibitory effect on the age-dependant shortening of the telomeres and UVB-induced oxidative damage in-vitro.3
Another research study, “Evidence Based Complement Alternate Medicine (2014:2014:701656),” reported that T. Chebula extract effectively scavenged free radicals and enhanced proliferation of keratinocytes and fibroblasts— leading to the conclusion that it promotes cellular proliferation while also inhibiting production of free radicals.3
A 5% topical preparation of T. Chebula was evaluated in another research study on the cheeks of human volunteers for eight weeks. This study concluded that the product provided significant improvement in skin moisture content, erythema, and overall rejuvenated human skin.4 T. Chebula’s phenolic compounds gallic acid, chebulagic acid, and chebulinic acid were isolated and evaluated.
They exhibited greater radical scavenging and melanin-inhibitory activity than the reference compounds ascorbic acid, BHT, alpha-tocopherol, arbutin and kojic acid proving its anti-oxidant and de-pigmenting benefits.
Antioxidant-Rich Triphala
Triphala is an antioxidant-rich herbal composition that combines fruits of three Terminalia species. It is especially revered for its ability to aid in balancing the three doshas (vata, pitta and kapha). Any imbalance in the doshas can affect you not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well.
Several studies in Ayurveda have demonstrated that triphala is a strong source of natural antioxidants and exhibits a broad range of beneficial effects including free radical scavenging, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-bacterial and wound healing.
Ayurvedic spas offer triphala masks. The high levels of antioxidants give you an anti-aging boost while simultaneously helping to clear the skin.
Conclusions
The association between Ayurveda, anti-aging and cosmeceuticals is gaining importance in the health and wellness sector. There is ample evidence supporting multiple biologic and anti-aging properties of these Ayurvedic herbal preparations. In the West, it is not a standard ingredient in dermatology practice.
Additional human clinical studies might confirm the age-old medical and anti-aging benefits that Ayurvedic science have always practiced since time immemorial.
References:
- Int. J. Mol Med. 2011 DEC, 28(6): 10134-8
- Evid. Based Complement Alternat Med. 2014: 2014:701656
- Phytother Res 2004 Sep : 18 : 737-41
- Pak J. Biol Sci 2007 Jul 1:10 (13) 2241-56
Navin M. Geria
Senior Technical Advisor and Principal Doctors Skin Prescription
tokuho02@gmail.com
Navin Geria, ex-Pfizer Research Fellow, is senior technical advisor and principal of the dermatological research company, Doctors Skin Prescription (DSP), Boston, founded by dermatologist David J. Goldberg, MD JD and plastic surgeons William P. Adams, MD FACS and Jason Pozner, MD. Geria has more than 30 years of experience in the personal care industry and was previously with Clairol, Warner-Lambert, Schick, Bristol-Myers and most recently, Spa Dermaceuticals. He has earned nearly 20 US patents, has been published extensively and has been both a speaker and a moderator at cosmetic industry events. www.dspskincare.com