Amla, Emblica Officinalis or Phyllanthus Emblica is one of the richest sources of vitamin C on Earth. Amla grows in the season of spring and is hard, light greenish and yellow in color. The fruits, bark and leaves of Amla are of medicinal use. The tree grows mostly in Northern and Southern regions of India and reaches a height of 40-50 feet. The leaves of this plant smell like lemon and fruit itself is sour in taste. Amla herb contains plant chemicals out of which Phyllemblin is an active ingredient which plays most vital role in all the pharmacological actions this herb provides on its usage. Other prominent chemicals of Emblica Officinalis are gallic acid, tannin, ascorbic acid and pectin.
Emblica Officinalis has been used in traditional medicines since ancient times and its fresh fruit or dried fruit is used in most of the preparations. According to Ayurveda Amla or Phyllanthus Emblica is sour and astringent in taste, it has sweet, bitter and pungent secondary tastes with sweet post-digestive effects and cooling energy. Emblica Officinalis can pacify vitiating Pitta and balance Vayu. It has been used to improve immunity system and promote longevity, it has great properties to take care of hair health and scalp, and it also prevents premature graying of hair and is used in almost every natural cosmetic cream and hair nourishing oil. It is primary ingredient of an ancient preparation ‘Chyawanprash’ famous for providing upbeat health, digestion and immunity system.
Use of Amla or Amalaki casts revitalizing effects on human body, it promotes digestion and helps immensely in keeping the system clean, and it also works well for improving immunity system of the body and countering infections and other ailments. It also counters signs of ageing and promotes strength and vitality in old age.
Due to high rich contents of vitamin C in Phyllanthus Emblica, it is a perfect remedy for Scurvy, powdered herb with equal quantity of sugar mixed with a glass of milk and consumed thrice in a day is old and trusted remedy for curing Scurvy.
Amalaki is used in preserving hair health, promoting growth and preventing premature graying of hairs. It is also very useful and trusted herb for improving scalp health to increase growth of healthy hairs and prevent falling of hairs. Oil of Amla is an integral part of almost every oil or cream designed to promote hair health and growth, even dried powder of the fruit in raw form is used by Asian women since old times to keep hair growth and density healthy. Dried powder mixed with water to form a paste and applied as a pack on the head is a very good remedy for removing dandruff and promoting hair growth.
Another beneficial use of Amla herb is in the treatment of Diabetes. Due to high vitamin C content the regular intake of juice of Amalaki stimulates functioning of pancreas to produce insulin in larger quantity to bring down the sugar level in the blood. In the treatment of diabetes use of Amla or Emblica Officinalis has shown no side effects even after prolonged use and has shown effective results.
It helps in keeping heart healthy by its blood purifying and immunity boosting properties, it treats diarrhea, dysentery and is an excellent supplement to preserve eyesight. It is also used in the treatment of glaucoma and conjunctivitis.
Other names of Emblica Officinalis: Amla, Amalaki, Phyllanthus Emblica, Indian Gooseberry, Emblic myrobalan, Aonla, Aawallaa, Aamalaki, Nillika, Nellikai, Usareeka, Aamvala
