Trijata – Health Benefits, Synonyms, Qualities

Article By Dr. Shilpa Ramdas

The combination of 3 aromatic medicinal herbs, Tvak – Cinnamon,  Patra – Bay leaf and Ela – Cardamom is known as Trijata. It is also known as trisugandhi, Trisamyuktam and Trigandhakam. The collective term ‘Trijata’ is not explicitly described in the Brihat Trayi Samhitas. The nomenclature is clearly encountered in the Nighantu literature, particularly in the Dhanvantari Nighantu, where Tvak, Ela, and Patra are grouped under the name Trijata.

The collective term ‘Trijata’ is not employed by Vagbhata in the Ashtanga Hridaya. However, its constituent drugs—Tvak, Ela, and Patra—are repeatedly prescribed together in Chikitsa Sthana, particularly in the management of Kasa, Shwasa, Rajayakshma, Grahani, and Chardi.

त्वगेला पत्रकं चैव त्रिजातं परिकीर्तितम्। (Dhanwantari Nighantu)

Twak – Cinnamomum zeylanicum
Patra – Eletteria cardamomum
Patra – Cinnamomum tamala)

Sanskrit Shloka
वराङ्गपत्रकैलाभिस्त्रिसुगन्धि त्रिजातकम् ।
त्रिगन्धकं त्रिसंयुक्तं चतुर्जातं सकेशरम् ॥
त्रिसुगन्धि चतुर्जातं तीक्ष्णोष्णं रोचनं लघु ।
रुक्षं पित्ताग्निक्द्वर्ण्यं कफवातविषापहम् ॥ (KN Oshadhi varga)

Synonyms
Trisugandhi – Because of its aromatic smell
Trisamyuktam – It’s a combination of three
Trigandhakam – Group of three aromatic herbs

Trijata, when combined with Nagakesara (Mesua ferrea), forms the classical Ayurvedic formulation known as Chaturjata.

Qualities
Rasa – Pungent (Katu) and Bitter (Tikta)
Karma – Rochana, Mukha dourgandhya hara, Agni vardhaka, Varnya, Vishapaha
Rogaghnata – Indicated in Kasa, Swasa – Respiratory disorders
Guna – Ruksha (Dry) Tikshna (Penetrating), Laghu-Light to digest,
Virya – Ushna
Dosha Action – Increase pitta, pacify vata and Kapha dosha
Action on Agni – Increase agni
Action on Skin – Varnyam – Enhance complexion

त्वगेला पत्रकैस्तुल्यौस्र्तिसुगन्धि त्रिजातकम् ।
नागकेशरसंयुक्तं चातुर्जातकमुच्यते ॥
स्वरभेद श्वासकासमुखदोष विनाशनम् ।
वृष्यं बल्यं च योगार्हं चातुर्जातं रसायनम् ॥ (DN 7 Misrakadi Varga)

According to the references in Dhanwantari Nighantu, it is indicated in respiratory disorders such as cough, asthma, and hoarseness of voice, as well as in diseases affecting the oral cavity.
Trijata forms an important ingredient of the classical Ayurvedic preparation Chaturjata Rasayanam, known for its aphrodisiac and rejuvenative properties that help enhance strength and vigor.

त्वगेलापत्रकैस्तुल्य्यैस्त्रिसुगन्धि त्रिजातकम् ।
नागकेशरसंयुक्तं चातुर्जातकमुच्यते ॥
तद् द्रव्यं रोचनं रुक्षं तीक्ष्णोष्णां मुखगन्धहृत् ॥
लघुपित्ताग्निक्द्वर्ण्यं कफवातविषापहम् । (BP Purvakhandam misrakaprakaranam – karpooradi vargam)

It helps to improve appetite, digestive fire, light to digest, hot and pungent reduce excess mucosal secretion, pacify kapha and vata dosha, and Varnya – promote complexion.

It is used as an ingredient in several classical Ayurvedic formulations. Some examples include:

1. Chaturjata Rasayanam – Used as a rejuvenative, aphrodisiac, and strength-promoting preparation.
2. Sitopaladi Churna – Commonly used in cough, other respiratory disorders.
3. Talisadi Churna – Indicated in cough, asthma, anorexia, and digestive disturbances.
4. Eladi Churna – Used in digestive and respiratory ailments.
5. Lavangadi Churna – Beneficial in throat disorders, cough, and hoarseness of voice.
6. Kalyanaka Ghrita – Used in neurological and psychiatric disorders.
7. Mahatiktaka Ghrita – Employed in chronic skin diseases and systemic disorders.
8. Sukumara Ghrita – Used in gynecological and gastrointestinal conditions.

Trijata possesses significant antimicrobial activity, which supports its role as a preservative and justifies its inclusion as a Prakshepa Dravya in various medicinal formulations.

The verse मरिचं त्वगेलापत्रकेसरम् । मधु शर्करया युक्तम्… is explained in Ashtanga Hridaya Chilitsa Sthana 3^rd chapter while Describing Amrutaprasa Ghrita.