Amazing health benefits of Amla.

Vitamin-C is needed to maintain good health of all of us. In such a situation, amla, rich in vitamin C, is not only beneficial for eyes, hair and skin, but it has many other benefits which we are going to tell you today. Let's know.

Amla, or Indian gooseberry, is considered as dhatri, or motherly figure. Thanks to its amazing healing properties, amla has been worshiped in Indian culture since ages and is now also being recognised as a super food across the world.

Ayurveda, which is the oldest health system in the world, appreciates and uses the amla to treat a host of diseases and promote positive health.

Amla [Emblica officinalis, or emblic myrobalan], is called amalaki in Sanskrit. It is extensively used as a rejuvenator in Ayurveda. It is also used widely in combination with other two [chebulic and belleric] myrobalans or fruit-bearing plant species as triphala. Amla is the key ingredient in the popular Ayurvedic recipe, Chyavanaprasha. More than anything, the Indian Gooseberry may be called as “King of Rasayana” [rejuvenation], owing to its multiple health benefits.

Indian gooseberry in Ayurveda

Ayurveda describes Amla as a cooling, astringent, digestive, laxative, stomachic, and aphrodisiac medicine. It also has anti-pyretic (reduces fever), anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties. Due to its numerous therapeutic effects on various organs and systems, research has found it to be useful in problems ranging from chest diseases such as cough, asthma, and bronchitis, digestive ailments like dyspepsia, hyperacidity and ulcers and anaemia, jaundice, diabetes, bleeding conditions, eye diseases, allergies and other skin problems, and gynaecological problems.

The amazing health benefits of amla

Let’s look at the amazing health benefits that makes the Indian gooseberry a super food.

1. Amla aids digestion

Indian gooseberry strengthens absorption and assimilation of food. It improves digestion and stimulates our taste buds to relish food better. It can be used by everyone without fear of gastric irritation, or increased acidity. You can also also use it to ease “too much heat” in the body. It aids in better absorption and assimilation of iron from the gut. It also acts as a laxative in large doses due to its high fibre content.

Amla is best used as an ingredient in our diet regularly. It can be used as an alternative to tamarind, lemon or such other fruits to add flavour to food. It can be used as dry powder, fresh juice; or for dressing, by grating it coarse, or fine. It can also be used to prepare chutneys [paste] to be used as an adjuvant in our meals. It can be preserved for a long time in sugar syrup or as pickle and used regularly.

2. Amla is an excellent source of Vitamin C

Amla is one of the best sources of natural vitamin C. It contains 20 times more vitamin C than an orange. Even when it is dried, or baked, it contains tannins, which prevent loss of vitamin C. Vitamin C, an anti-oxidant, fights free radicals, which cause many chronic and grave diseases like arthritis, high blood pressure, heart problems, Alzheimer’s, cancer, and so on. Vitamin C is also required for our body’s natural defences and healing mechanisms.

3. Amla has anti-ageing properties

Amla boosts absorption of calcium. Thus, it helps in the formation, maintenance, and repair of bones, teeth, nails and hair. It also helps maintain youthful hair colour and retards premature greying. In addition, it supports the strength of the hair follicles. This translates to less thinning of hair with age.

4. Amla enhances protein synthesis

The Indian gooseberry enhances protein synthesis by means of which bodily tissues, especially the muscles, are strengthened and toned up. It is, therefore, very useful to athletes and those who exercise regularly for maintaining muscular health and eliminating toxic products, the result of muscle activity.

5. Reduces bad cholesterol

Amla is useful in reducing LDL [“bad”] cholesterol and thus preventing arterial blockages that may cause heart attack or stroke.

6. Eases chest congestion

When it is consumed in its natural form, as raw fruit or dry powder, amla can reduce chest congestion and facilitate the removal of sputum from the respiratory tract. It can soothe and heal inflamed airways and thus, is useful in cough, bronchitis, and other problems of the respiratory system.

7. Amla is excellent brain and nerve tonic

Amla is also known to act as a very good brain and nerve tonic. It improves memory, tolerance, and nervous function.

8. It improves immunity

Exposure to chemicals and consumption of chemically-treated food or drinks results in the accumulation of toxins in body tissues. This affects the functioning of the liver. Amla helps in elimination of toxins. It strengthens the liver in the process. Regular use will result in an efficient defence system in the body against harmful substances.

9. Can be used as a diuretic

The fresh juice of Indian gooseberry acts as a diuretic; it also normalises acidic urine. It is helpful in burning urination and urinary infections.

10. It’s beneficial during chemotherapy and radiotherapy

Indian gooseberry is known to be beneficial during chemotherapy and radiotherapy due to its adaptogenic [balancing effect on your body’s systems] and rejuvenating properties.

How to use amla for these 7 common ailments

1. Dry Cough

Take half tsp powder mixed with a little ghee [liquefy the ghee]. Take frequently.

2. Piles

Take wild amla juice, or powder, with cream top of yoghurt, twice a day.

3. White vaginal discharge [leucorrhoea]

Take 1gm powder with one tsp honey and one tsp crystal sugar mixed together, thrice a day.

4. Internal bleeding [Rakta Pitta]

Wild amla 1gm, with 1tsp honey, thrice a day.

5. Hiccups

Wild amla powder with black pepper. 1gm amla, with 3-4 pinches of pepper.

6. Slow and burning urination

Juice of amla, half cup [approx 30ml], twice a day. This should be supplemented with extra fluid intake and/or liquid diet.

7. Diabetes

Amla and turmeric, as juice or powder, twice a day, before food; use two tsp each for juice and half tsp each for powder.

Despite its supreme safety and therapeutic value, I recommend that you consult an expert in Ayurveda or herbal medicine for a more specific and individualised prescription to suit your needs—especially if you have medical, or surgical, concerns.