Amla, also known as Indian Gooseberry, is a super-fruit of India. Yes, as it is native to India, the first name is ‘Indian’. It comes under the berry family used in many ways since ancient times for medicinal formulations due to their healing properties. The tree of Amla carries round shaped small berries of yellowish-green in colour. The leaves of the amla tree are green and tiny in size.
Interesting facts of Amla
Amla trees can give fruits for 65 to 70 years. Amla fruit is a rich source of vitamin C and carotene. Due to its high vitamin C content it is said that one amla fruit is equivalent to vitamin C as 3 oranges and 16 bananas.
The unique thing about Amla is it tastes in five different tastes like pungent, astringent, sweet, bitter, sour. It is known to be beneficial for mental and physical health. Amalaki is the sanskrit name or real name of amla, which means nectar of life. It is revered as a sacred tree in hindu religious faith.
Amla has powerful antioxidants that are beneficial to health in many ways. The fruit is very nutritious. You can get the benefit of amla in both dried and fresh forms.
It contains many minerals, vitamins and polyphenols such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, and vitamin B complex, ellagic acid, gallic acid, apigenin, quercetin, luteolin, and corilagin.
Health benefits of Amla
1. Hypertension
Antioxidants are known to scavenge the free radicals produced by the human body due to internal and external stress. Along with antioxidants amla contains a good amount of potassium. Potassium helps to regulate blood pressure. Potassium's main mechanism in treating hypertension is dilating blood vessels, which further reduces the possibilities of blood pressure. Hence, amla juice can be beneficial in managing hypertension or high blood pressure.
2. Diabetes
Including amla in your Diabetes Diet Plan can help in the effective management of diabetes. How? Many of you may not be knowing that the main reason behind diabetes is stress. Amla as a powerful antioxidant helps reverse the free radical generation and the effect of oxidative stress. Regular intake of amla can prevent the chances of diabetes. Also, Amla’s fibres can help absorb the excess sugar in the body to regular blood sugar levels.
3. Digestion
The soluble dietary fibres present in amla helps in regulating bowel movements, which could help relieve irritable bowel syndrome. Vitamin C in Amla helps absorb a good amount of essential minerals.
4. Mental health
Super antioxidants in amla have a strong free radical quenching ability, which can help avoid brain cells’ damage and enhance memory. Amla is known to be effective in treating patients who have dementia.
5. Weight loss
One of the main reasons for obesity is a slow metabolism. Amla helps in flushing out the toxins from the body and prevents fat formation. Very well known detoxifying and natural fat burner in ayurveda is Triphala, which contains three dried fruits, haritaki, Amla and Bibhitaki.
6. Hair health
For decades amla oil has been used as a natural remedy to promote hair growth and to keep hair black. Using a mixture of coconut oil and amla regularly for hair massage will result in better hair growth. Amla oil stimulates hair follicles to promote growth. Amla oil treatment improves hair length and volume. Contains vitamin C to help increase collagen levels. It directly affects new hair growth by replacing dead hair cells on the scalp. Vitamin C prevents itchy and dandruff hair due to its strong anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. As per Ayurveda the reason behind premature greying is due to excessive pitta. Amla helps to reduce the pitta dosha to slow down the process of hair greying.
7. Eye Health
Don’t forget that amla is also an excellent source of vitamin A, which is a very important eye vitamin. Vitamin A in amla berries helps improve vision. You can also avoid the risk of age-related macular degeneration and conjunctivitis with the help of amla. There are herbal eye drops with triphala that contain amla also. Such eye drops protect the eye from environmental and digital strain.
8. PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome)
Amla detoxifies the body during the menstrual cycle and maintains the hormonal balance, which helps improve women’s fertility. To know more about the essential vitamins and minerals needed to manage PCOS, click here. In the same way it helps men's health and fertility.
9. Skin health
Antioxidants help purification. Indian Gooseberry helps blood purification that helps skin to glow, promotes skin health by reducing different skin irritation issues. Vitamin C is good for you in any way as topical application and as oral consumption.
10. Immunity
Rich in vitamin C, amla helps protect your body from infections. During covid-19 we have seen the popularity of vitamin C as an immunity booster. Daily dose of vitamin C helps you stay safe from several infections.
Aside from the supplements stated above, there are other goods available in local stores, such as Amla Murabba, Amla-Carrot-Beetroot Juice, and Amla Chutney.