Amla, or Indian gooseberry, is
considered as dhatri, or motherly figure. Thanks to its health benefits, amla
has also been worshipped in Indian culture since ages.
Ayurveda, which is the oldest health system in the world, appreciates and uses
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 [fruit-bearing
plant species] as triphala. Amla is, indeed, the key ingredient in the popular
ayurvedic recipe, Chyavanaprasha. More than anything, it may be called as "King
of Rasayana" [rejuvenation], owing to its multiple health benefits.
Amla in ayurveda
Ayurveda describes amla as a cooling, astringent, digestive, laxative,
stomachic, and aphrodisiac medicine. It also has anti-pyretic, anti-inflammatory
and diuretic properties. Due to its numerous therapeutic effects on various
organs and systems, it has been found 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, cancer, eye diseases, allergic and other skin problems to
gynaecological problems.
Food and digestion
Amla 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 irritations, or increased acidity. It can also be used
to ease "too much heat" - a popular belief - 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 fibre 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. It
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.
Amla is one of the best sources of natural vitamin C. 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.
Health benefits.
Look good
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.
Amla 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.
Physiological benefits
Amla is useful in reducing LDL ["bad"] cholesterol and thus preventing arterial
blockages that may cause heart attack or stroke.
Amla, when consumed in its natural form, as raw fruit or dry powder, 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.
Amla is also known to act as a very good brain and nerve tonic. It improves
memory, tolerance, and nervous function.
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. Amla helps in elimination of toxins. It strengthens
the liver in the process. Regular use of amla will result in an efficient
defence system in the body against harmful substances.
The fresh juice of amla acts as a diuretic; it also normalises acidic urine. It
is helpful in burning urination and urinary infections.
It is known that amla is beneficial during chemotherapy and radiotherapy due to
its adaptogenic[balancing effect on your body's systems] and rejuvenating
properties.
Amla for common ailments
Dry Cough
Take half tsp amla powder mixed with a little ghee [liquefy the ghee]. Take
frequently.
Piles
Take amla juice, or powder, with cream top of yoghurt, twice a day.
Internal bleeding.
Amla one gm, with one tsp honey, thrice a day.
Hiccups
Amla powder with long pepper [or, black pepper]. One gm amla, with 3-4 pinches
of pepper.
Slow and burning urination
Juice of amla, half cup [approx 30 ml], twice a day. This should be supplemented
with extra fluid intake and/or liquid diet.
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.
FROM WHERE YOU GOT.(AMLA).
IN KARACHI YOU CAN GET FROM JODIA BAZAR ON CHEAP RATE OR FROM ANY HERBAL(JARI
BOOTI) MEDICINE SELLER.
HOW TO MAKE POWDER OF AMLA.
REMOVE THE SEED OF AMLA AND THROWN IT. ONLY USE THE UPPER PORTION OF AMLA (CHILKA).
WASH IT SLIGHTLY(DUE TO DUST PARTICLES) AND DRY IN SUN LIGHT / OPEN AIR.
NOW GRIND IT LIKE POWDER.
DOSE : 5-7 GRAM IN NORMAL WAY WITH WATER.