Amla
Meet this sour & bitter-tasting super fruit, incorporating this ancient superfruit into your diet may be the best decision you make, health wise. Ayurvedic healers started using Amla berry intermittently, records show the use of amla extracts in remedies for at least 1,000 years. Beyond its traditional and ancient use, at present many nutritionists and even scientific studies support the benefits of adding Amla in your diet, to help in the treatment and prevention of various diseases. Truth is, Amla consumed in any form is equally beneficial.
Amla: History
Cultivated throughout India and nearby countries, amla has gained great popularity throughout the world as a "superfruit." Amla, also known as Amalaki or Indian gooseberry, grows on a flowering tree of the same name. The small berries are round and bright or yellow green. Although they are quite sour, their distinct flavour can enhance the taste of a number of recipes. Amla is a highly potent medicinal plant for its innumerable healing properties. Amalaki, as it is popularly known in Sanskrit and in ancient texts of Ayurveda, means, mother, nurse, immortality and also ‘sour.’
This small, green, pulpy, juicy fruit is strongly recommended in the Ayurveda, consuming or adding amla extract in your day-to-day life can improve immunity, boost metabolism and promote longevity. Amla’s beneficial properties may also have great effects on skin and hair health.
Amla, is in fact known as a ‘divyaushada’ or a divine medicine as it contains five different tastes – sweet, sour, bitter, astringent, and pungent that promotes better functioning of both, the mind and the body. It is also no surprise that Amla is known as the super fruit, fresh Amla berry’s 100-gram serving contains as much vitamin C as 20 properly grown oranges.
Read along to know more about the health benefits of Amla and you would know why you should indulge in this sour treat daily, the wide range of amla extract products available and where you can buy amla power packed products.
Amla: Nutritional Values
Amla, Amalaki, Indian gooseberry or Emblica Officinalis is one of the most nutritional fruits available for consumption. Its beneficial effects are a parcel of all the antioxidants, high Vitamin C, Vitamin E and fibre contents that the fruit has to offer.
Amla is low on calories and power packed with a host of phenolic phytochemicals like flavonoids, anthocyanins. Amla extracts are also a potent source of vitamin C and A. 100 grams of raw or pure Amla contains around 478 mg Vitamin C (Vitamin C content in Amla also varies from 440 mg/100g to 800 mg/100g) and 5 grams of fibre content. Although the values may differ according to variety, season, and type of Indian Gooseberry. The host of plant compound found in Amla offers numerous healing benefits including delayed aging, fighting inflammation, boosting memory and promoting overall good health & wellness.
Amla extracts are also rich in Copper, its highly beneficial properties can have great effects on your heart, blood vessels, immune system, and brain. Vitamin B5 content may help in the creation of fatty acids, Vitamin B6 which supports the enzymes and cells in your body to function, helps convert food into energy, Manganese content can help support metabolism, bone formation, reproduction, and immune responses, whereas Potassium is essential for normal cell function
Amla: Different Parts of the Plant
In traditional ayurvedic use, dried and fresh fruits of the plant are used. Although all the parts of the plant are used in various Ayurvedic and medicinal herbal preparations, including the fruit, seed, leaves, root, bark and flowers. According to Ayurveda, amla fruit is sour and astringent (kashaya) in taste, with sweet (madhura), bitter (tikta) and pungent (katu) and other secondary tastes (anurasas).
• Amla Fruits:
Amla Fruits are used for making preserves and pickles, it is also used in several Ayurvedic medicinal preparations, hair wash powders, hair oils etc. The fruit is the most used part of the plant, it may help with diabetes, cough, asthma, bronchitis, cephalalgia, ophthalmopathy, dyspepsia, colic, flatulence, hyperacidity, peptic ulcer, erysipelas, skin diseases, leprosy, inflammations, anaemia, jaundice, diarrhoea, dysentery, cardiac disorders, intermittent fevers and greyness of hair. The Amla fruit extracts are a principal constituent of the famous Ayurvedic restorative preparation or tonic called Chyawanprash. The Amla fruit is also used in tanning of leather by the village tanners.
• Amla Root & Bark:
The root and the bark of the Amla tree is useful in ulcerative stomatitis and gastrohelcosis. The bark is useful in gonorrhoea, jaundice, diarrhoea, and myalgia.
• Amla Leaves:
The leaves of this beneficial tree are useful in conjunctivitis, inflammation, dyspepsia, diarrhoea, and dysentery related health troubles.
• Amla Seeds:
Amla Seeds are packed with fixed oil, essential oils, and phospholipids that have great effects on inflammations, and infections around the uterus and cervix. Everyone knows that Amla fruit is famous for its highly beneficial properties, but the seeds too are no less. The seeds are both ideal for oral administration and external application.
Read our article on 10 Reasons to Add Amla in Your Daily Life
Amla: Health Benefits
1. Bolsters Immunity
Amla is known as the superfruit, it is a powerhouse of vitamin C which makes it an amazing immune booster. Amla is also rich in Vitamin A, polyphenols, alkaloids, and flavonoids, i.e quercetin and kaempferol. Amla is also known to have beneficial effects on raising the number of white blood cells in the body, which in turn can help boost the body’s defence mechanism to fight allergies, infections and to flush out toxins. Incorporating Amla extracts in your daily regime shields the body against harmful bacteria and inflammations.
2. Improves Liver Function
Amla is a great detoxifier for the body, it is packed with good amounts of phytochemicals like quercetin, gallic acid, corilagin and ellagic acids that help get rid of toxins from the body and help in fighting free radicals. Amla juice can also help improve liver functions, boost vitality, and provide energy.
3. Secretes Insulin
Amla extracts contain chromium, a mineral that helps in regulating carbohydrate metabolism and beta cells for the secretion of insulin. Consuming this citrusy fruit may not only help repair pancreatic tissues but may also help prevent the damage of insulin-producing cells.
4. Gut Health
According to the Ayurveda, starting your meal with a recipe made from amla helps in better detoxification and flushing out the wastes from the body. As this superfruit is rich in fibres it also helps regulate bowel movements and increase the production of digestive juices. It also helps the body in better absorption of the nutrients consumed. Amla extracts are great for people with constipation or other gut issues.
5. Helps Fight Against the Common Cold
Amla as we all know, is one of the richest known natural sources of Vitamin C, it is known to have excellent immunity boosting and antioxidant rich properties. The vitamin C content in Amla is absorbed quite easily by the body, as compared to store-bought supplements. Consuming vitamin C regularly may help with better performance of macrophages and other cells of the immune system, it keeps conditions such as common cold and flu at bay. The antioxidants in Amla extracts help boost metabolism of free radicals that form from reactions between oxygen and hydrogen from food and the environment. Free radicals are what are responsible for premature ageing and cell damage; consuming Amla extracts may also help in its reduction
6. Lowers Cholesterol Levels
Amla extracts can help reduce the accumulation of fats in arteries and veins, that may help in lowering bad cholesterol and keep the levels of good cholesterol optimal. Amla’s beneficial properties may also help lower the risk of getting atherosclerosis and promotes healthy circulation along with overall cardiovascular health.
7. Aids Weight Loss
Amla extracts are packed with high fat burning properties, its properties may help accelerate metabolism, improve protein synthesis, and reduce fat deposits in the body. Amla is also known to favour fluid reduction because it promotes diuresis with the excretion of organic toxins out of the body. Amla extracts may thus be useful for controlling obesity, especially in people with diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular problems.
The proteins present in Amla extracts can help curb or prevent cravings. Drinking a glass of amla juice before a meal fills up the stomach, helping you control the food intake and thus curbing your general diet without making you feel hungry or starved. Some nutritionists also believe that as amla boosts metabolism, it may help shed weight faster.
8. Improve Digestive Processes
This super fruit is highly fibrous, it may stimulate intestinal transit. Less fibre intake is one of the reasons why people tend to suffer from slow intestinal transit, constipation and other digestive discomforts. Amla’s rich fibre content may help with various digestive issues, it may help increase the action of gastric juices for the decomposition of food. Thus, it is also useful to relieve stomach heaviness and gases.
9. Excellent Anti-inflammatory Properties
There are a few studies that show the effectiveness of Amla extract on fever, arthritis, osteoporosis, and joint pain. Amla plant’s properties are capable of acting at a cellular level, reducing the expression of inflammatory cells and other mediators that are present in chronic diseases.
10. Supports Healthy Blood Glucose
Amla extracts are known to have exceptional effects on metabolism, and therefore, it promotes glucose uptake and helps in maintaining optimal blood glucose levels in the body. Consuming this superfruit may also help reduce oxidative stress, protect pancreatic cells from oxidative damage and help in insulin release, preventing post-meal sugar spikes.
11. Helps Improves Eyesight
Amla extracts are packed with the goodness of carotene which may have great effects on maintaining good vision. Consumption of Amla extracts regularly has also been known to improve overall eye health. The beneficial properties of Amla may reduce cataract issues, intraocular tension (the pressure you feel) as well as prevent reddening, itching, and watering of eyes.
12. Helps Relieve Pain
Amla extracts have beneficial effects on relieving various kinds of body pains, be it arthritis-related joint aches or painful mouth ulcers, amla can provide relief to both, due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps strengthen bones and muscles, as you age your bones and muscles may become fragile and weak. Adding Amla juice to your regular diet can make your bones healthy and strong, and thus relieve the pain caused due to stiffness or tired muscles and bones.
13. May Help Protect Your Brain
There are a few degenerative brain diseases that are interlinked with overload of iron in the cells. If the iron levels in the body are too high, it can spur the creation of free radicals, which are molecules that damage your cells. Your brain cells are particularly high in iron, making them more vulnerable to damage. Amla or Indian Gooseberries are a natural source of organic acids, providing good amounts of citric acid. The Citric acid content can help block the accumulation of iron in cells, this may help reduce the risk of diseases like Alzheimer’s. The rich antioxidants and phytonutrients properties found in Amla may also be beneficial for age-related diseases of the brain.
Amla: Cosmetics Benefits
1. Promotes healthy Hair
Amla extracts, just like curry leaves, have been used for centuries for their beneficial effects on hair health. It is proven to be a great tonic for your hair, as Amla may help slow down the process of greying hair, prevent dandruff, strengthen hair follicles, and increase blood circulation to the scalp thereby improving hair growth and general hair health. Amla is also used as an amazing natural conditioner giving you soft, shimmering, and strong locks. You could apply amla oil or mix amla powder into henna for a hair pack and watch as it transforms your hair into what you’ve been wishing for. Amla is also a powerful hair regenerator, it stimulates the roots, strengthens it and promotes its growth. It also, in most cases, slows down hair fall.
2. Promotes healthy Skin
Amla isn’t called a superfruit for no reason, it also has great effects on skin related issues, and healthy skin conditions. It is also one of the best anti-ageing fruits, packed with exceptional qualities. Drinking amla juice regularly can promote blemish-free, healthy and glowing skin. The juice can also be consumed as a skin care tonic due to its astringent properties, it helps remove impurities, cleanses and purifies the skin, providing luminosity and promotes even toned skin. Amla is known to be suitable for all skin types, especially for dull or devitalized and mature skin.
As Amla extracts act as a natural blood purifier, its intake may help the skin glow from within, making it great for acne, pimples, blemishes & freckle prone skin. You can go for Amla extract cosmetic products or simply mix plain amla powder in water and apply it on your face as a face pack.
How to Add Amla in your Day-to-Day Life?
One of the most used presentations found in the market are the Amla capsules, Choosing an Amla presentation depends entirely on your personal need and preferences, Amla extracts are available in various forms. Let’s have a look at a few of the readily available amla extracts products that you can buy in no time.
The amla powder is usually made from the ground-up leaves of the Indian gooseberry or amla plant. This method has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine for treating a range of health conditions, from diarrhoea to jaundice. The amla powder also has anti-inflammatory properties, making it the next big thing in beauty or cosmetic products. Amla powder can also be used to make your own hair mask, and more. Here is one of the Amla Powder supplements available at Seniority
To avoid the classic sour & bitter taste of Amla; pure Amla extracts are made into powdered presentations and sometimes also mixed with other beneficial ingredients to help promote various health benefits. When purchasing Amla-based capsules, do verify that the proportion of amla extract is predominant in the mixture, so as to consume adequate and required amount extracts.
Here are a few Amla Capsules available at Seniority:
• Amla 500 mg (60 Capsules) - Seniority:
Formulated from pure Amla extracts, this 100% vegetarian supplement is made without any additives and harmful chemicals in it. These amla capsules may help protect the cells against damage caused by free radicals and help the body develop resistance against various illnesses. These amla extract capsules are packed with anti-inflammatory properties which may support healthy metabolism, digestion and elimination.
• Amla Extract (500 mg - 60 Veg Capsules) - Morpheme Remedies:
These 100% vegetarian capsules are packed with the goodness of Amla extracts. They are nutrient-rich and loaded with vitamin c, minerals, amino acids and flavonoids. The amla capsules offer multiple benefits including better immunity, vigor, maintained blood sugar level, and great digestive and cardiovascular health. The supplement is safe and effective and is free from harmful chemicals.
• Amla Tablets (Immunity Booster) 60 Tablets - One Life:
These amla tablets have a rich content of Vitamin C and act as a great immunity booster for the body. These amla tablets may help increase iron absorption and act as a powerful antioxidant. These amla extract tablets are 100% vegetarian and contain around 1000 mg of natural vitamin C in one tablet.
Our country has an abundance of food items that are nutritious, healthy and available in local markets without pinching your pocket. One of these many food items is amla or the Indian gooseberry. Although the amla fruit is available easily in local markets, the fruit, like any, is seasonal. But no worries, there are a number of Amla blends available very easily in the market, making it easy to fit in its goodness in your daily diet. These blends or mixtures are not only healthy, but also tasty!
• Amla Special Chyawanprash – Baidyanath:
Chyawanprash as we know is made from the unique combination of herbs and extracts that are beneficial for our health. Chyawanprash is a rich formulation of Amla extracts, mixed with other ingredients to help boost immunity and act as an energizer. This nutritive mixture nurtures and strengthens the body, providing energy, vitality, and strength. Chyawanprash can be consumed separately or with milk or water. Drinking it with warm milk helps carry its tonifying and rejuvenating qualities deep into the tissues.
FAQ's
1) What are the benefits of amla?
Right from its pulp of the fruit to the seed, every part of the amla plant comes packed with beneficial nutrients that are great for your health. Some of the health benefits include:
• Boosts immunity levels
• Improves liver function
• May help secrete insulin
• Promotes gut health
• Great for overall hair care
• May delay premature greying
• May help control blood sugar levels
• May help in lowering blood pressure
• Promotes healthy weight management
• Great addition to skin care regime
2) What is amla good for?
Amla has a unique taste and is packed with the goodness of a number of nutrients and vitamins, consuming amla or its extracts on a daily basis can help in improving brain, gut, hair, skin health and also helps in protecting against free radicals that cause cell damage. What's more, according to Ayurveda, amla fruit can naturally heal all the three types of dosha in our body, which are vata, pitta, kapha.
3) What is the use of amla?
Amla Extracts or the Indian gooseberry fruits are used or consumed for its highly beneficial and amazing health benefits. The Amla extracts can be consumed raw, although as they’re very sour and may not be appealing to most people, they are usually pickled, candied, made into simple syrups or turned into capsules, tablets, health drinks, powders and much more.
4) What is the use of amla tablets?
Consuming Amla tablets has a lot of health benefits, few of them have been listed below:
• Promotes better eyesight • Purifies blood & helps in detoxification • Helps in burning excessive fats • Relieves from constipation and piles • Prevents hair loss and premature greying • Strengthens liver functions • Strengthens bones and muscles • Improves oral health • Acts as a cooling agent for the body • Helps cure gastric or digestive disorders • Soothes inflammation • Provides anti-aging benefits • Helps relieve cough & cold
5) Where to buy amla tablets or capsules?
Amla tablets and capsules are both readily available in the market, in the form of concentrated formulas or powders. Check out Seniority’s range of Amla tablets, capsules, powders and much more, and choose the best according to your needs.
6) Where to buy amla?
Native to India and surrounding countries, Amla is a fruit that is available in abundance in local food/vegetable markets without pinching your pocket. Although the amla fruit is seasonal, that doesn’t mean you can enjoy the benefits of the fruit throughout the year. Browse through Seniority.in>> for a variety of amla extract products and much more.
Data last updated on 11/06/2021