AMLA

It is an important medicinal plant that is used in the treatment of various ailments. The botanical name for Amla is Emblica Officinalis or Phyllanthus Emblica which belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. It is also called Indian gooseberry which is a rich source of vitamin C and it helps to boost your immunity when you use in regularly 

Tamil:  Nellikaai

Telugu: Usirikkai

Hindi: Amlika

English: Indian Gooseberry

Malayalam: Nelli

Kannada: Nelli

Bengali: Aamla

Punjabi: Aamlaa

Gujarati: Aavla

Farsi: Amlaj

Konkani: Avalo

Urdu: Aamla

Marathi: Aouli

Manipuri: Heikru

Assamese: Amlaki

It is widely found in India and it grows in the Semi-arid region and plains in Northern India. It is cultivated in Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. The fruits of this plant are available from October to May

It is a medium tree that grows at a height of 8m. The leaves are very small. simple and it is attached with branchlets. The amla is yellow

Part Used: The whole plant except root

Taste: Sweet, sour, astringent

Potency: cold

On chemical compound analysis of Amla, it includes

Fruit: Phenolic constituents like gallic acid, L-malic acid, 2-o-gallate, Mucic acid 2-opgallate, corilagin chebulagic acid, putrajivain A, elacocarpusin, mucic acid 1-o-galloyl-β-D-glucose, Mucic acid 1,4-lactone 2-o-gallate, Mucic acid 1-methyl ester 2-o-gallate, mucic acid 1, 4-lactone 6-methyl ester 2-o-gallate, mucic acid1, 4-lactone 3-o-gallate, mucic acid1, 4-lactone3, 5-di-o-gallate

Action:

• Astringent
• Refrigerant
• Laxative
• Diuretic
• Skin emollient
• Anti-diabetic
• Cardioprotective
• Anti-ulcers
• Anti-oxidant
• Antipyretic
• Analgesic
• Cytoprotective
• Gastroprotective
• Anti-tussive
• Memory enhancing 

• In Indian medicine, dried and fresh fruits are used
• It is used to treat tridosha, diabetes, cough, asthma, bronchitis, dyspepsia, colic, flatulence, peptic ulcer, and many various diseases
• The dried fruits are used in the treatment of piles, diarrhea, and dysentery
• The fruit of amla mixed with lemon juice to treat acute bacillary, dysentery, and inflamed eyes
• The fruits along with seeds are used to cure asthma, bronchitis, and biliousness
• The decoction obtained from the fruit is considered effective for the urinary disease
• The juice obtained from the bark is mixed with honey and turmeric to treat gonorrhea
• The leaves infusion with fenugreek seed is used to treat chronic diarrhea
• The fruits of the amla plant act as an antidote for mineral poison
• The fruit pulp is used to reduce headache and dizziness

The dose of the drug used according to the physician

Powder: 1-3g

Juice: 10-20ml

Chyawanprash: 1 teaspoon

• Therapy should be administered with caution because the use of amla increase the risk of bleeding
• Kindly stop using amla before 2 weeks of surgery because the use of amla increases the risk of developing bleeding
• At high dose, the use of amla may cause dry skin
• Do not consume amla if you have a cough
• Do not take amla during nighttime because of its cold and astringent effect
• The use of amla may lower blood sugar. So, monitoring of blood sugar levels is required in patients who are taking the anti-diabetic drug

It is considered unsafe to use this herb while you are pregnant and breastfeeding

Indigestion:

The use of amla helps to control indigestion by improving the digestive fire and it also helps to pass the stool easily by its laxative effect

Obesity:

Obesity occurs due to lifestyle modifications which lead to poor digestive fire and this increases the accumulation of toxins in the body and causes an imbalance in the Meda dhatu which results in obesity. The use of Amla helps to reduce the body weight by its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) properties and it also helps to improve the metabolism and remove the extra fluid or toxins from the body

High Cholesterol

Traditional use: According to Ayurveda, high cholesterol occurs due to an imbalance of Pachak Agni (digestive fire). This impaired digestion occurs due to the accumulation of toxins in the body which leads to the accumulation of cholesterol and causes obstruction in blood vessels. The use of Alsi helps to improve the improper digestion by its Deepan (appetizer) and Pachan (digestive) produces which remove the accumulation of bad cholesterol and main normal cholesterol level

Modern view: PPAR-α is the protein involved in the metabolism of lipid and cholesterol. The use of amla increase the level of PPAR-α which helps to decrease the total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL, and triglycerides level in your body

Diarrhea:

Traditional view: According to Ayurveda, Diarrhea is called Atisar. Usually, diarrhea occurs due to mental stress, improper food, water, environmental toxins. Diarrhea occurs due to the imbalance of Vata. This brings the fluid into the intestines and mixes it with stool which leads to diarrhea. The use of Amla reduce diarrhea by balancing the Vata and it also improves digestion by its astringent and cold property

Modern view: Diarrhea occurs due to excessive smooth muscle contractions which leads to abdominal pain and cramping. The use of amla helps to relax the abdominal smooth muscles by its antispasmodic effect

Rheumatoid arthritis:

According to Ayurveda, Rheumatoid arthritis is called Amavata. It mainly occurs due to the imbalance of Vata dosha and the accumulation of toxins that occurs due to improper digestion and this toxin is carried to different parts of the body through Vata and gets accumulated in the joints. The use of amla helps to improve digestion and reduce the accumulation of toxins by its hot properties. This also balances the Vata and reduces the symptoms associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Osteoarthritis:

According to Ayurveda, Osteoarthritis is called Sandhivata and it occurs due to the imbalance of Vata dosha which causes pain, inflammation, and joint movement. The use of amla helps to reduce the symptoms of arthritis by balancing the imbalance of Vata dosha

Pancreatitis:

Due to its protective effect, the use of amla helps to fight against the free radicals and decreases the inflammatory mediators

Cancer:

Amla is rich in vitamin C which inhibits the growth and multiplication of cancer cells and it also inhibits the topoisomerase and CDC 25 tyrosine phosphatase enzymes

Diabetes mellitus:

Traditional view: According to Ayurveda, diabetes is known as Madhumeha. It occurs due to the imbalance of Vata and Kapha dosh and impaired digestion. Impaired digestion leads to the accumulation of toxins in the pancreatic cells and affects insulin function. The use of amla control diabetes by maintaining the function of insulin normally by balancing the Vata-Kapha and improves impaired digestion by reducing the accumulation of toxins which is responsible for impaired digestion.

Modern view: The use of amla helps to increase the metabolism in diabetic patients which helps to reduce both fasting and postprandial blood sugar level and it also decreases the inflammatory mediators

Amla Improves Immunity:

Amla which is also rich in vitamin C and tannins, benefits include antibacterial & astringent properties which help improve the body's immunity system.

Indian Gooseberry also increases white blood cells which help flush out the toxins from the body.

Amla for Hair Care

The fruit is used in a lot of shampoos and conditioners owing to its rich antioxidant & iron content.

It also strengthens the roots & maintains hair color.

The antifungal properties of Amla help fight dandruff.

And gives strength to the hair ends due to the presence of Vit-C.

Amla for Eye Care:

Amla is rich in carotene content which is well known for its powerful effect on vision-related conditions.

Amla for Respiratory Health:

Amla proves beneficial against respiratory disorders. It helps to reduce cough, tuberculosis, throat infections, and flu.

Treats Anemia:

Amla is a rich source of iron, deficiency of which causes anemia.

Blood Purifier:

Amla acts as an active blood purifier when consumed with honey.

Anti-aging

Amla reduces the number of free radicals in the body through its antioxidant properties.

It helps reduce wrinkles, dark circles, and other signs of aging.

It also protects the body from radiation.

Amla Candy
a. Take 2-3 pieces of Amla candy.

b. Eat them before or after meals.

AmlaMurabba
a. Wash 20 pieces of Amla and prick them with the help of a fork.

b. Boil 1-2 cups of water in a pan add prickled Amla's to it, cook for 10 minutes till it becomes soft.

c. Now, make a sugar syrup by adding 2 cups of sugar in 2 cups of boiling water and simmer on a low flame till the consistency becomes thick.

d. Add boiled Amla to the sugar syrup

e. Let it stand for 1-2 hours till the Amla properly absorbs the sugar syrup.

f. This final product is known as AmlaMurabba. You can have them preferably before lunch and dinner.

Amla Chutney

a. Take ½ cups of Amla.

b. Add 1 cup of chopped coriander and 2-4 green chilies to it.

c. Also, add a pinch of hing (asafoetida) and salt as per your taste.

d. Have this Amla chutney with meals.

AMLA CHURNA:

Take ¼ to ½ teaspoon daily along with honey or hot water.

How to use Amla powder for hair?

Amla powder is dried amla fruit, ground into a fine powder. A thin paste can be made by combining amla powder in water. Apply the paste in the hair roots and scalp to provide nourishment to the hair. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes before washing off with a mild cleanser or running water. 

How to use raw amla for hair?

There are two ways to use raw amla for hair. One way is to prepare amla juice by putting the amla in a grinder and straining out the leftovers to obtain the juice. Amla juice can then be applied directly to the hair.

How many Amla should be eaten in a day?

It is usually recommended to eat about 1-2 Amla per day or you can take as per your taste as well. It can be either eaten raw or in the form of juice.

Who should not take amla?

Due to lack of scientific evidence, the medicinal use of Amla should be avoided if you are breastfeeding. Amla may lower blood glucose levels. So it is generally advisable to monitor the blood glucose regularly if you are taking Amla along with anti-diabetic drugs

Why does amla taste sweet after drinking water?

Amla or gooseberry in English has a lot of citric acids and Vitamin C which tastes sour. The chemical 'signature' of these is very similar to sugar and so when diluted it occupies similar receptors in the tongue for sweetness. Hence it tastes sweet at lower dilutions.

Can I eat raw Amla at night?

Avoid Amla in case of aggravated Kapha problems like coughing. 4. Avoid drinking Amla juice at night due to its cold potency and astringent taste