Certain formulas of the SVA tradition are highly versatile. They have been used for many generations for a wide range of imbalances and ailments. One such formula is called Tribindu – “tri” for three, and “bindu” for drop.
Tribindu is made of 3 ingredients: Camphor, Ajwain, and Peppermint.
Vaidya is bringing this ancient formula back for us, and adding another holy ingredient to it: Tulsi.
What is Tribindu used for?
In India, during the rainy season, disease can be rampant in village setttings because of the prominence of water and air-born infections. Vaidya’s ancestors used this formula to keep infections at bay within the individual or in the environment. They would recommend different ways of using it to either cleanse the environment or strengthen an individual’s immunity.
The ancestral SVA healers long knew about the powerful anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties of Camphor, Ajwain, and Peppermint. But they also used this formula to help with insect and mosquito bites. In addition, they recommended it for extreme cold weather conditions when the body’s physical circulatory channels are known to shrink. In this case, simply inhaling this Tribindu would help relax and open the channels and support overall immunity – open channels release toxins much more easily and readily. The SVA ancestors also used the Tribindu mixture for overall body aches, muscle stiffness, sprains, etc.
Vaidya Mishra says: “For a long time, I wanted to make this formula available. It can be used for so many different things. The only thing is it has to be used with caution because it is made of 100% pure essential oils. I have added no buffers and there is no adulteration at all. You should be careful not to apply it and then touch your eyes or sensitive parts of your body. If that happens, make sure you rinse with plenty of fresh cool water right away to wash away the essential oils.”
Here’s what the shastras or ancient ayurvedic texts have to say about the three – plus one – ingredients in Tribindu.
The first ingredient in Tribindu is Ajwain (Trachyspermum copticum).
Three prominent nighantu-s or commentaries have described the powerful bactericidal and thermogenic effects of Ajwain.
The Dhanvantri nighantu says:
This means Ajwain is “victorious” over the “krimi”s or bacteria. Then “vahnideepanee” means ignites or “deepani,” the “vani” or metabolic fire of the body – and thus creates thermogenesis.
The Raj nighantu, on the other hand, says it is “krimi mardini” as well as “deepani para:” again bactericidal and thermogenic.
The popular commentator Bhav prakash says Ajwain is: “tikshoshna” sharp and hot, and “deepani” and “krimi pranut” – thermogenic, bactericidal, and penetrating.
The second ingredient in Tribindu is Karpur or camphor (Cinamomum camphora). 
The Dhanvantri Nighantu describes it as “medoshagnam” – it melts and evacuates the toxins in the fat tissue:
Bhav prakash says it is: – mobilizes and evacuates the toxins:
it mobilizies and evacuates toxins.
It is also:
It eliminates “foul” smells and purifies the air.
The third ingredient is Peppermint or pootinah(Mentha 
piperita). The Raj Nighantu says it is:
That is: it pacifies the kapha predominant cough. It is also:
It gets rid of bacteria.
The Vanoshadidarpan text says it:
relieves pain related to kapha and vata imbalances.
The Tribindu formula is potent as is, but Vaidya Mishra has now added Holy Basil or Tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) to it, to give it further balancing and cleansing properties.
The Charak sutrasthan verse 271/64 says:
Tulsi takes care of hiccups, coughs, toxins, and breathing problems relating to all these. Tulsi is also a “deodorizer” on many levels:
Susruta, on the other hand, says: “kapha nila visha swasa khasa dorgandhya nasama” – pacifies kapha vata relieves toxins, helps in breathing trouble, cough, and removes bad smell.
This means: Tulsi pacifies Kapha and Vata, evacuates toxins, helps in breathing trouble, soothes, coughs, and removes bad odors.
In 46/234, Susruta also adds that Tulsi is:
That is: it relieves pain.
The Dhanvantri nighantu explains:
Tulsi is light and warm in nature, it is drying, it pacifies kahpa, it is bactericidal, as well as thermogenic.
The Raj nighantu says:
Tulsi takes care of “invisible” (microscopic) living organisms, or bacteria, and it pacifies vata dosha.
You can use the Tribindu to replicates the results that the ancient vedic texts have confirmed, but you can also be creative and incorporate this wonderful formulation into your daily life in a myriad of ways. Here are some practical ideas that you can put to action right away.
11 uses of Tribindu:
1) Use it to help support your sinus pathways and discourage potential bacterial growth in your oral cavity – apply on a scarf, wrap around your mouth and nose and gently inhale
2) Spray it in your room – on your couch, pillows, carpet, desk, or just in the air, to clean and refresh the air. You can also use an essential oil diffuser and squirt 2-3 times into the water and then plug it in for sustained delivery.
3) Apply a small amount on your feet and massage in: when you have fatigue, poor circulation, cold hands
and feet, the Tribindu will warm you up right away, enhancing circulation and thermogenesis.
4) Apply on sore achy muscles before and also after exercise to mobilize and evacuate toxic build-up and ease blow flow for enhanced mobility
5) Support your overall circulation and thermo-genesis, specially in cold weather, when you have to go out – apply on hands and feet before putting on gloves and socks.
6) Use it to ease away tension and stress from your neck and shoulder areas – spray 2-3 times and massage in. You can also use it on your lower or upper back areas
7) Use it to ward off insect bites or to soothe itchiness from bites: spray on insect bites or mosquito bites and massage – do not spray on an open wound or bite.
8) Spray on joints – knees, elbows, wrists, ankles, finger joints, etc, morning and evening, to help maintain healthy joints free from toxic accumulation, and enhance mobility. Spray and gently massage.
9) Use it to relax: spray a few times into your bath water in the tub, 
and dip in to relax.
10) Spray on your throat area when you feel you have an itchy throat and may be getting a cold. Spray and cover with a scarf, and inhale.
11) You can also use the Tribindu to help ward off infections, for example, apply on your nails and fingers after clipping them.
Whichever way you use it, it is a great and safe household remedy to keep close by, rain or shine!
