TRIKATU : The Three Spices
- Dry Ginger - Zingiber officinale
- Black pepper - Piper nigrum
- Pippali - Piper longum

Energetics :
- Rasa (taste) : Pungent
- Virya (action) : Heating
- Vipaka (post-digestive effect) : Pungent
- Guna (quality) : Light, Dry

Doshas : VK=, P+, can aggravate Vata in excess

Dhatus (tissues) : Plasma, Blood, Muscle, Fat

Srotas (systems) : Digestive, Respiratory, Fat, Colon

Action :
Carminative, appetiser, digestive, expectorant, bronchodilator, diaphoretic Stimulates sluggish digestion, clears mucus and increases circulation.

Indications :
GIT :
Use Trikatu whenever there is low digestive activity with sluggishness, bloating, abdominal pain and flatulence due to stagnant food from kapha or vata.
Also helps in conditions of poor assimilation due to parasites, leaky gut or low enzyme secretions. May help in Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Candida albicans, diarrhoea from cold, food intolerances to damp, wet and heavy foods.
It is a specific remedy to help burn ?ama? and undigested toxins in the digestive tract and blood stream. When there is nausea due to excess phlegm this can help.

LUNGS :
As Trikatu rejuvenates the lungs it is used whenever there is a cough, wheezing or breathing difficulties with clear, sticky and white phlegm. Used in asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, cough and colds.
It is a superb remedy for hay fever and acute allergic rhinitis as an immediate way of drying up the copious nasal secretions - it has anti-allergenic effects. Also used in sinus congestion and chronic nasal blockage. It has an affinity for all the orifices of the head, clears a muzzy headed feeling, can help clear blocked ears and treat sore throats.

METABOLIC :
With low metabolism, hypothyroid and the concurrent increase in weight, low energy and lowered immunity Trikatu can be part of a treatment strategy. Where there is high cholesterol it may be used to encourage digestion of the excess lipids.
With any feeling of coldness Trikatu can help to warm the body.

Traditionally taken with honey to make a paste.
Honey is said to clear mucus and help with cleansing.

Use before meals as a digestive stimuant (deepaniya) and after meals as a an aid to digestion (pachaniya).

Contra-indications :
- Pregnancy
- High pitta
- Hyperacidity in the stomach

Dosage :
1 - 5g per day