Amla a Day Keep the Doctor Away

Health Capsule - Robust Source of Vitamin C

Indian Gooseberry or Amla Amlaki or Nellikai (Botanical name Emblica Officinalis of Euphorbiaceae family) is the most popular herb since from the ages of saints and rishis. Ayurveda and Siddha systems of medicine have recognised the importance of this herb. The documentation made by the ancient physicians of India has recognised that Indian Gooseberry is enriched with Vitamin C. Modern nutritionists equates Amla's most abundant source of Vitamin C with as much as 20 times of an orange.

You may be astonished to hear that your gooseberry does not diminish its vitamin C content with cooking. This property makes this fruit more extraordinary. Gooseberry has many other nutritious benefits. Another extraordinary feature of gooseberry is the presence of antioxidants as the main factors of sourcing back your energy. Gooseberry has an excellent antibiotic properties against all kind of viruses like that of Hepatitis, AIDS, Influenza and many others and the herb builds immune system to fight against the viruses.

Medicinal Properties

Though the physicians find that every part of the tree possesses therapeutic potentials, they are more attached to its fruit since it has amazing rejuvenative properties. It forms an indispensable part of the ayurvedic and unanai medicine. Siddha system of medicine regards this her as 'Kayakalpa'. It is an essential ingredient of various Ayurvedic medicines i.e. Brahma Rasayana, Chyavanprasha and Dashmula. Triphala churana is the famous Ayurvedic preparation comprising equal parts of Chebulic Myrobalans (Hartaki), Belleric Myrobalans (Bibhitaki) and Indian Gooseberry.

It is used for treating fever, liver disorder, anaemia, heart conditions and urinary problems. Due to its strong, cooling and laxative properties it has been widely used in hemorrhage, diarrhea and dysentery.

The gooseberry is one of the most ideal food-medicine for diabetes. It stimulates secretion of natural insulin. It increases red blood cell count and regulates blood sugar. It removes worms. It also acts as an antacid and antitumorganic agent. You can alleviate some of the common ailments through some time-tested decoctions.

Gooseberries are very good for those suffering from respiratory problems. It also prevents infection due to the antibacterial and astringent attributes present in it. It has been widely used for treatment of leucorrhea and atherosclerosis. It is considered as one of the most rejuvenating drugs, imparting a long healthy life and weight gain.

Losing hair? Amla or Indian gooseberry can save you from this. You can either eat amla everyday or apply its paste on your hair roots. First boil six amlas with a cup of milk, till they are soft. Remove the seeds and mash it into a pulp. Apply this paste to your hair roots and leave it for 20 minutes before washing your hair. You can make a good conditioner by mixing Indian gooseberry, shikakai powder and curd.

Nutritional Properties

You might have tasted gooseberry. If not you taste it. You will find that this fruit includes gamut of taste i.e. shows sourness as the foremost taste and also includes salty, astringent, bitter and pungent taste. At the end you will be left with some sweet taste for a longer time. Gooseberry comprises protein, carbohydrates, fiber, Vitamin C and B complex; the minerals mainly include calcium, phosphorus, iron, and carotene. The active ingredient in gooseberry is 'phyllemblin'. It also contains ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), gallic acid (polyphenol), tannin and pectin. It is one of the strongest rejuvenatives among Indian medicinal plants.

Habitat

Indian Gooseberry, the medium size deciduous tree, is found in tropical regions of Indian subcontinent. Useful parts of gooseberry includes the fresh and dried fruits, the seeds, leaves, root, gray colored bark and flowers and red colored wood. The pale yellow colored gooseberry fruit has depressed globose shape with six vertical furrows.

Indian Gooseberry(Amla)-a Potent Medicinal Herb!!!!

Amla also know as amalaki,dhatriphala in Sanskrit,Indian Gooseberry in english and Emblica officinalis scientifically, is the most widely used herb in the ayurvedic system of medicine. It effectively controls digestive problems, strengthens heart, builds up and sustains defence mechanism, improves eye sight, imparts a natural glow to hair and body and a store house of Vitamin C, a powerful anti oxidant that prevents premature ageing.

Amla fruit is acrid, cooling, refrigerant, diuretic, laxative, antipyretic, aphrodisiac , tonic. It is the richest natural source of Vitamin C.In adition to Vitamin C, it also contains calcium, iron, protein and tannic acids, sugar, phosphorus, carbohydrates etc. The juice of fresh amla fruit is given as tonic, diuretic and anti-bilious remedy. It is also helpful in burning sensation, over thirst, dyspepsia and other complaints of digestive system.

The powder of the dried amla fruit is an effective remedy of hyperacidity, ulcers and blood impurities. It is also used both internally and externally as a decoction and paste.