Amla - Ayurvedic / herbal medicines

What is Amla

Amla, also known as amalaki (Latin – Emblica officinalis) is an Indian gooseberry. It is the most famous Ayurvedic herb used in 100s of classical Ayurvedic medicines & in hundreds of patent Ayurvedic formula. The herb of amla is anti-aging, used for many purposes such as delaying the aging cycle, rejuvenating the body system, revitalizing body and top of all, very good for immune system.

Botanical name : Phyllanthus emblica Linn.

Amla in different languages

SANSKRIT SYNONYMS: Amalaki, Dhatri, Vayastha, Amritaphala

Hindi : Amalak, Amla

Marathi : Amla

Kannada : Nelli Kayi

Gujarati :Ambla

Malayalam : Nelli Kayi

Tamil : Nelli

Telugu : Usirikaya

Kashmir : Aonla

Arab: Amlaj

Punjabi: Ambli, Ambul,

Unani: Amia

Useful part

Root, Bark, Leaves, Fruits, and dried fruits also.

Ayurvedic properties

Rasa : Kashaya(bitter), Tikta(pungent or astringent), Madhura(sweet), Amla (sour)

Guna : Guru (heavy), Rooksha (dry)

Virya : Seeta (cold in potency)

Vipaka : Madhura (sweet)

Other properties like aphrodisiac, laxative, tonic, diuretic, and digestive also. Amla cures Thirst, vomiting, balances appetite, cures burning sensation all over the body, acts as detoxifier, prevents fever, improves immunity power.

As amla is rich source for vitamin C and it is having mineral like calcium, phosphorous, iron and other chemicals like carotene, thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin. Also Amalaki contains fixed oil, essential oil, phosphatides and tannin, which are having high medicinal values. Overall amla is having antioxidant property due presence of vitamin C.

Amla indications

Antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antioxidant, aphrodisiac, boils and spots, skin, skin sores, wounds, skin whitening, sore eyes, tonic, vaginal complaints, water purification, blood purification, chelating agent, diabetes, diuretic, fevers, gonorrhea, hair growth, inflammation, nose bleeds, respiratory problems.

Amla benefits

Cardiac system: It is best cardiac tonic due to combined tastes except salt. Controls blood pressure.

Respiratory system: Fresh juice is used for (Swasa) for breathing difficulty, cough, hiccough, asthma, dyspnea, productive cough. It is believed that if used as rasayana like Chyawanprash, it is helpful to overcome from respiratory problems and boost immunity power.

Digestive system: Appetizer, Dental problems, Mouth ulcers, Nausea, Constipation, Laxative, Diarrhoea, Indigestion, Worm infestation etc.

Musculoskeletal problems: Helps to strengthen the bones.

Reproductive system: It is having aphrodisiac property. Used in illness like vaginal complaints, gonorrhea, leucorrhoea, menorrhagia, and general body tonic, reduces excess weight, and even acts as blood purifier.

Nervous system: It is having Medhya property, that is memory booster.

Metabolism: For diabetes and found effective in diabetic neuropathy.

Amla strengthens teeth and bones. It increases the red blood cell count and helps to promote good health. It helps to reduce pitter. It also has antioxidant properties. Apart from vitamin C, amla also contains cytokine like substances such as zeatin. The dried Amla fruit is useful in the treatment of Hemorrhage, diarrhea, and dysentery.

• Amla is a daily health supplement and Ayurveda suggests that amla should be taken on regular basis. Whether the body is diseased or healthy, fruit of amla maintains health and treat diseases. Amalaki, or amla fruit is low in sugar but high in fiber content. This feature of amla makes the fruit an ideal daily health supplement to maintain the health & immune system.
• The fruit of amalaki, Indian gooseberry, has soothing effects on various vital organs of the body such as kidney, heart, lungs, liver and stomach. Amalaki helps in restoring the gut movements and can be taken in indigestion problems.
• Some very important indications for taking amla are as below:-
• Amalaki benefits in curing premature aging in person.
• Amla boosts immune power, helpful in tackling day-to-day infections and seasonal attacks
• Amalaki helps in overcoming hyper acidity and dyspepsia
• Amla churna benefits in healing skin ailments
• Amla, up to certain extent, regulates the bowel movements so useful in constipation.

Amla usage and dosage

Amla is used as single drug, or used in the combination form. In ayurvedic classics, it is used in many medicines. The best medicine explained in Ayurveda is AMLAKI RASAYANAM, CHYAVANPRASH, according to few authors, both are considered one and the same.

It is one of the ingredients in Triphala. Single drug is available in the form of fresh juice, fresh fruit extracts, dried fruit etc. Churnam (powder) is also available.

Dosage is different in different form.

Amla churna - One teaspoonful (5 gms.) Amalaki Rasayana - 1-2 teaspoons twice a day empty stomach with water.

Amla anti-oxident properties

The fruit of amalaki, Indian gooseberry, contains a lot of vitamin –ascorbic acid that possesses excellent antioxidant properties. Regular intake of amla juice or amalaki churna helps in fighting the free radicals those are very much responsible for developing different health ailments. The free radicals are unstable ions that roam in the bloodstream and are responsible for degenerating body tissues and promoting the age. Amla, being detoxifying agent, stabilizes free radicals and hence is considered to be the powerful antioxidant herbal fruit supplement.

In Ayurveda, the ancient healing science of India, describes amalaki as the mother of all the herbs curing almost all the human health ailments, right from the diabetes to acidity and indigestion to stubborn and incurable disease like cancer. It is called as amalaki rasayana dravya where rasayana means ‘rejuvenating and revitalizing’.