Top Amla benefits as revealed by an MD in Ayurveda

An Ayurveda MD physician lists the many amazing health benefits of amla. Also known as Indian gooseberry, Amla is truly a superfood

Fresh Amla (Indian gooseberry)

Amla, or Indian gooseberry, is considered as dhatri which means motherly figure. Thanks to its amazing healing properties and other health benefits, 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.

Amla or Indian gooseberry in Ayurveda

Ayurveda describes Amla as a cooling, astringent, digestive, laxative, stomachic, and aphrodisiac medicine. It also has anti-pyretic (fever reducing), 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 of amla that make it 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 fiber 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. Amla 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

One of the many nutritional benefits of amla is its rich natural Vitamin C content. 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 for anti-ageing

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. Indian gooseberry reduces bad cholesterol

Amla is useful in reducing LDL [“bad”] cholesterol and thus preventing arterial blockages that may cause heart attack or stroke. In one study, treatment with amla produced significant reduction of LDL, triglyceride and VLDL; it also helped increase in HDL levels.

6. It 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. One of the important benefits of Amla is that it helps in elimination of toxins and strengthens the liver in the process. Regular consumption of amla results in an efficient defence system in the body against harmful substances.

9. It 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. Amla may prevent cancer and is also beneficial during chemotherapy and radiotherapy

Consuming amla may aid treatment and prevention of cancer. This is perhaps among the most critical benefits of amla. Due to its adaptogenic [balancing effect on your body’s systems] and rejuvenating properties, the Indian gooseberry is known to be beneficial during the chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments.

How to use amla for 7 common ailments

1. Dry Cough

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

2. Piles

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

3. White vaginal discharge [leucorrhoea]

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

6. Slow and burning urination

Amla juice, 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.


How to add Amla to your diet

In India, amla is available at most local fruit sellers during its season from October to January. You can buy fresh fruits and make a murabba [sugar syrup preparation] with grated or whole fruits. You could also make a pickle that is tangy and spicy. In case you prefer a drink, you can choose Amlana, which is a cool appetizer, or an amla-ginger punch.

You can easily find ready-to-eat packaged Amla in a number of stores. Normally, these are local brands. Amla is available in different form: dehydrated, powder, tablet, packaged juice, pickles, chutney or candy; any of these are a good bet for trial.

You could even start off on Triphala or Chyawanprash both of which contain amla as a major ingredient.


This is an updated version of the article that was originally published in the November 2007 issue of Complete Wellbeing print magazine

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83 COMMENTS

  1. Depends on ur usage:
    If u r using for hair then both eating and applying(amla juice) is best.
    If for any other reason consume it.
    If u cant consume bcoz of sour taste try amla murabba its easy to make and tastes sweet.

    • Making amla juice for applying on hair is easy:take 9-10 amlas cut it in small pieces add 2 tea spoons of water. Using mixture or grinder grind it filter the liquid.Apply it on scalp using cotton.

      Tried it: Hairfall reduced from 150-180 per day to 20-30 per day.

  2. I start taking daily RAW AMLAKI ( AMLA) . ONE AFTER BREAK FAST AND OTHER AFTER LUNCH. WILL IT INCRESASE MY IMMUNIZATION POWER. I AM HVING CHRONIC COLD PROBLEM AND LOW BLOOD PLATELATES COUNT
    . ALSO I AM TAKING DAILY PAPPIYA( RIPE) DAILY WITH MY BREAKFAST. I HV NO DIABATIC.

    A REPLY IN THIS REGARD WILL BE HIGHLY APPROPRIATED.

    REGARDS.
    SUNNY.

  3. I live in Cape Town. I would like to use Amla juice and powder for my health and hair loss. Please advise me on where in Cape Town I can purchase the products. My daughter in the UK also has major hair loss….pretty please send me advice at your soonest with much appreciation from me.

  4. I am 23yrs old. I have severe hair fall problem. hair getting thin and becoming bald spot.hair count becoming less in forefront of head.i am eating 2 raw amla daily..plz let me know the solution. Is amla effective for this problem?plzz awaiting for your reply

  5. i m 24. female. i wanna take amla in my diet. i wanna eat it as a raw fruit. i wanna take it only in lunch and dinner. can i take it after my meal? what is the right quantity to consume?

  6. I want to know if fresh amla juice [without adding anything] twice daily is good for health? That is in the morning empty stomach and at night when u go to be… pls sirs let me know.

    thanks regards,
    patci

  7. we have 100kg of amala(organic) with me i dont know what to do with them can u tell me where ican make juice n candy from them n preserve them for year in delhi

  8. hi,

    I just had my baby, she is seven months now and i am feeding her right now. I have heard much about amla, i have a major problem of hair falling and i have also gained 15 kg weight. I am eating two raw amla everyday, just started 3 days before.

    I want to know is it effective to have raw amla to reduce weight, and how much time it will take to reduce weight and also let me know is there any problem for baby as i am feeding her.

    Also let me know if any other better way is there to consume amla to reduce weight quickly.

    I am waiting for your reply desperately.

  9. You can buy amla powder at any indian spice shop . In cape town you can buy it at datar spice shop hajie ebrahim crescent gatesville it goes for R24.00 a pkt nd should be taken as follows a half teaspoon with a glass of water on an empty stomach first thing in the morning for weight loss good luck

  10. best way to get benefits of amala prepare its juice, pl do not asked for juicer, take 5or 6 piece of whole fresh green amla(available in nov,dec) grade gently from all the sides ,leave the seed behind ,take a small piece of gigenger and grade it, put all the graded stuff in side a fine, thin cloth and sequse in ball add equal quantity of water and take it in the morning do not take any thing else try it will give u wonder full result it is ramban medicine

  11. best way to get benefits of amala prepare its juice, pl do not asked for juicer, take 5or 6 piece of whole amla grade gently from all the sides ,leave the seed behind ,take a small piece of gigenger and grade it, put all the graded stuff in side a fine, thin cloth and sequse in ball add equal quantity of water and take it in the morning do not take any thing else try it will give u wonder full result it is ramban medicine

  12. well amla would be beneficial either as juice with anaar or gajar. and the result r not produced instantly.when used with shikakai and mehandi it would benefit to make hair black and strong but shampoos containing chemicals must be avoided for the result to appear in front of u. Amla is available at ur nearest sabzi market use aloe veera too to reap great .

  13. res. sirs
    i m 27 n have 70% grey hair. i m worried i m taking amla murabba since a month, early morning[empty stomach] once a day. Is it beneficial?
    plz tell
    waitng for yr reply
    can i get back black hair ?

  14. most of the questions/comments ask if amla can help with weight loss – and NO ONE is answering the question. can the producers just answer the question please!

  15. hey
    i just like 2 know where can i find the amla powder? I’ve been 2 a couple of places and they don’t know what im talking about. And i really need 2 lose some weight.

    thanks
    nicolene

  16. hi, my daughter hair are greying at a very early age, do u have the amla products in sydney, also pls let me know which one of the amla product is best for her.

  17. Hi,
    I want to ask one think. I took dry amla and soak overnight than next morning I took this drink, is it right for weight loss.

  18. Hi I have started drinking a teaspoon of Amla powder in half a glass of water twice a day for weight loss, is this the correct way to do it. Is there no amla juice we can buy

  19. Hello Everyone,I found most of the query are related to how to prepare amla juice?. its so simple take fresh amla from market and just remove the seed inside from amla and put the amla in grinder(remove seed),grind it until it become like paste and then mix water as required in it.
    Usualy warm water should be mixed and drink it like normal hot drink in morning.
    Amla is called “Amrit Fal” in ayurved and that means if you take it regularily you can fight with every desease.
    Regards
    Amit Katiyar

  20. My daughters is 4 and i wanted to giver her amla without the bitter taste. So I pureed it (3 berries) and mixed with honey. I let it sit in the fridge overnight and then I made a smoothie of strawberry’s, bananas, yogurt, honey and the pureed amla. I gave her a 4 oz cup and froze the rest in freezer pop molds. Now she can enjoy amla anytime without the bitter taste.

  21. I have amla at home and i kept them in salt water and eating every day may be 1 or 2.
    Is it ok i am 24 years old.i want to know when i can eat amla. so that it give a good results

    Thanks & Regards
    Priya

  22. Hi ,I live in Rhodes near Sydney.I wanna eat amla but don’t know where I can get it from.
    And my husband has got plenty of grey hair.I applied amla on his hair but nothing much happened.Can you please help me out.
    Waiting for your reply.
    Thank you.

  23. I live in USA. Recently I bought “Bhawani Amla Powder”. Does any one knows if it is a good powder to consume or is it only for hair and skin etc.
    thank you

  24. Yes u can apply raw amla juice on your scalp apply it with cotton then take it like oil and apply on your hair u can remove amla juice and refrigerate it and then use it

  25. i have diabetes and also need to reduce weight. will amla juice available in the market will help in triggering my process of weight reduction?

  26. Sir, I have pre diabetes with 180/190 as the PP levels. I would like to know if taking Amla juice everyday would bring down my sugar level? Also, please advice if that would also cause loosing weight since i understand that people take amla juice to get rid of excess body weight

  27. Does anyone know of a recipe for amla? I bought some fresh amla and interested to make a good dish out of it…

  28. You can take amla juice with aloe vera [if you are not affordable to have Aloe Vera , then amla is enough] in empty stomach that could be a good remedy for b/p and heart related deceases.You can prepare it in your home itself. You should not any other food for half an hour after taking this combination of juice.
    I’m sure you can feel the change in your stamina.

  29. i am suffering high b.p , knee pain and cholesterol not severe , can i take raw aloe vera with amla juice home made daily as tonic. pls advice

  30. I am suffering from ulcerative colitis and it is under control with allopathy treatment. Please suggest how to increase my hemoglobin level with gooseberry.

  31. Due to diabeties, i’m eating 2 or 3 amlas after every meal. Is it good? and work for my diabeties and hope no harm to the body taking too much.

  32. Really, Amla is a good source of every problem related to human body. It rejunvate entire system & make helathy immune system
    Really it is great fruit from nature

  33. i m 24. male. i wanna take amla in my diet. i wanna eat it as a raw fruit. At what time in a day shall i take. can i take it after my meal? what is the right quantity & right time to consume?

  34. HEllo there,
    I wanna know where I can buy this amla. I live here in Gladesville, NSW which is 15-20 minutes away from the Sydney CBD. Thank you. I look forward to having this amla in my diet.

    Jenny

  35. sir
    plz tell me i have 80%grey hair at the age of 30. how can i use amla.i am taking raw amla daily for the past 2 month.is it helpful

  36. For healthy hair eat lots of protein rich food like
    sprouted grains, dry fruits, etc. Also drink lot of water, min 4 liters per day increase according to climatic conditions.

    After extracting the juice, you can apply the leftover pulp onto your hair and rinse off, do not use any shampoo. You can also use the leftover pulp for bathing
    instead of soap.

  37. Is it ok to have amla after lunch and not in the morning? pls tell me the recipe of amla juice & were it wil be get? waiting for reply

  38. Does Amla cure urine problem,like urine hesitation,feeling of residual urine in the bladder and air locked sensation in the urinal track ect.?

  39. Dear Sir.

    I like Amla very much.Pls send me details that How to make amla juice easily at my home?

    Thanks MAHENDRA KAPADIA

  40. Dear Sirs,
    I have been readingon the value of Amla as a health preserving food. Some literature say Amla can be preserved in sugar syrup,
    my question is how about sun drying and preserving in bee’s Honey? does it augment the medicinal value of Amla due to the theraputic value of honey. Pls give yr views.

  41. Actually we have extracted juice from Amala, it is fully raw juice, we havent add any preservatives and nothing else,
    I want to know that how to use this raw juice of amala& how many days it can be put in freeze without any damage.

  42. Four amlas a day are more than sufficient for any age. Two per day are also enough. Keep it up.
    If hair is your concern, then a balanced diet is the best bet. Vitamin B-complex supplements are also known to help in reducing hairfall.

  43. yes u can take baba ramdev amla and aloe vera juice twice at night and in the morning u will see after two months your problem will be solved

  44. Dear sir
    Article is very good.I also started taking daily in the morning.
    Sir can you send me details about anti microbial activity of Indian Gooseberry on pathogenic microorganisms.

    Thanking you sir

    Regards
    Rajendra goud.
    nr*****@gm***.com/yahoo.com

  45. sir,
    can we apply raw amla juice on the hair to blacken my hair.
    my hair is damaged due to the bad water and it has become red.
    pl let me know asap.
    thank you
    devi

  46. Hello

    I am eating 4 raw amla per day, 1 before breakfast and then after breakfast,lunch and dinner. I want to have good hair growth and to stop hair falling problem.Is this quantity sufficient for my Body(23 Age).

  47. Actually we have extracted juice from Amala, it is fully raw juice, we havent add any preservatives and nothing else,
    I want to know that how to use this raw juice of amala.
    Presently we are taking 1 or 2 teaspoon daily morning including my son aged 3 years. I want to know more usage of this juice and also the fibres which is dried without fruit juice…
    please guide me..
    waiting for your reply,
    my mail Id is pr***********@ao*.in

    Sanjay Prajapati

  48. i am a regular user of amla juice . please tell me how to make amla candies since children don’t drink juice .
    waiting 4 reply
    reema

  49. A highly useful article on Amla.
    Just for minor correction, In Sanskrit Amla is known as Amalaka and not Amalaki as mentioned in the article.In Bengali, Amla is known as Amlaki.

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