Aamalaki

Kashaayam Katu Tiktoshnam
Swaadu Chaamalakam Himam
Param Tridosha hrut Vrishyam.
Jwaraghnam cha Rasaayanam

Dhanvanthari Nighantu.

Amalaki is slightly astringent, pungent, stimulant, heating and sweet. It is cooling in action as compared with Hareetaki. Further, it is Tridosha hara and aphrodisac. It checks fever and is a tonic.

Amla is proving a useful tool in the fight against cancer

Chinese researchers have discovered that amla fruit is a rich source of therapeutic chemicals, including quercetin (which is also found in apples), gallic and ellagic acids (found in green tea), and other less well-known ones such as chebulinic acid, chebulagic acid, corilagin, and isostrictiniin (Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2003 Oct;28(10):940-3).

All of these chemicals are powerful antioxidants, which help protect you from harmful free radicals that can increase the risk of a wide range of serious diseases including cancer.

This is backed-up by preliminary research findings, which suggest that amla may play an important role in the fight against cancer.

For example, in a study carried out by scientists at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagasaki University, in Japan, amla extracts were found to be able to prevent the growth of cancerous cells in the stomach, skin and womb (Biol Pharm Bull. 2004 Feb;27(2):251-5).

Amla in Ayurveda

The Indian Gooseberry has been given a very important place in Ayurveda. In ancient India it was believed that Amrit/ Ambrosia (heavenly nectar) contained all rasas thereby, it could impart immortality. In that sense Amalaki and Hareetaki stand next to Amrit since they exhibit five rasas. In Ayurveda, the amla fruit by itself is considered a rasayana for pitta.

It has been mentioned in the Charaka Samhita that Of all the rasayanas (ayurvedic formulations revered for their positive influence on the physiology) Amalaki is considered one of the most potent and nourishing. The Charaka Samhita says, "Amalaki is the best among rejuvenative herbs." Charaka specifically mentioned that it is a great rasayana that helps protect people from disease and keeps away the manifestations of premature ageing. .

Amla,Bhumyamalaki,Guduchi, Tulsi, Ashwagandha Swine flu H1N1 immunity providers - Ayurveda experts

Medicinal herbs like tulsi, which is commonly found in people's homes, can help boost one's immunity and thus fight Influenza A (H1N1), say Ayurveda doctors.

Preeti Chhabra, an Ayurveda doctor in the capital, said that medicinal herbs like tulsi, ashwagandha, guduchi and amla can help boost one's immunity level, thus helping fight swine flu.

"Keeping the present scenario in mind, some medicinal herbs like ashwagandha, amla, guduchi and tulsi are very good to help boost the body's immunity and thus help fight diseases"

Have citrus fruits, particularly Vitamin C rich Amla (Indian gooseberry) juice. Since fresh Amla is not yet available in the market (not for another 1 to 2 months), it is not a bad idea to buy packaged Amla juice which is commonly available nowadays.

Plant anatomy and harvesting

The tree is small to medium sized, reaching 8 to 18 m in height, with a crooked trunk and spreading branches. The branchlets are glabrous or finely pubescent, 10-20 cm long, usually deciduous; the leaves simple, subsessile and closely set along branchlets, light green, resembling pinnate leaves. The flowers are greenish-yellow. The fruit is nearly spherical, light greenish yellow, quite smooth and hard on appearance, with 6 vertical stripes or furrows.

Ripening in autumn, the berries are harvested by hand after climbing to upper branches bearing the fruits. The taste of Indian gooseberry is sour, bitter and astringent, and is quite fibrous. In India, it is common to eat gooseberries steeped in salt water and turmeric to make the sour fruits palatable

Benefits of Amla An Indian gooseberry

1. Enhances production of Red Blood Cells. Strengthens teeth, hair and nails.
2. Regulates Blood Sugar and prevents lipid peroxidation in cell membranes.
3. Very Powerful anti-inflammatory herb. Useful in hemorrhoids, gastritis and colitis.
4. Useful in eye problems especially in inflammations. Improves nearsightedness.
5. Also useful for cataracts.
6. Prevents premature greying of hair and makes them strong and free from dandruff.
7. Increases immunity in the body. Protects against heart and nervous disorders.