Trikatu
An Ayurvedic mix of black pepper, long pepper and ginger used as a digestive and as a bioenhancer. Its human evidence amounts to reviews and a trial that so far exists only as a published protocol.
Evidence last reviewed: August 2026
What the science says
- Digestive and flu-like illness use Limited evidence
A narrative review of Trikatu for flu-like illness collected traditional and preclinical support but identified no controlled clinical trial. The digestive use rests on tradition rather than data.
- Enhancing absorption of other compounds Limited evidence
The rationale is that its piperine content increases absorption of other substances, an effect demonstrated for curcumin in human volunteers. That finding belongs to isolated piperine and has not been shown for the Trikatu formula itself.
- Metabolic effects Limited evidence
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in dyslipidaemia has been registered and its protocol published, but no results are available yet. Earlier work is limited to network pharmacology and animal models.
Dosage & safety
Scientific references
- Is Trikatu an ayurvedic formulation effective for the management of flu-like illness? A narrative review
- Influence of piperine on the pharmacokinetics of curcumin in animals and human volunteers
- Efficacy and safety of the ayurvedic formulation 'Trikatu' as an add-on to standard care in dyslipidemia: Study protocol for a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating lipid parameters, and gut microbiota
Where to buy
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