Amla: An Ayurvedic Herb
Emblica officinalis Gaertn. or Phyllanthus emblica Linn, commonly known as Indian gooseberry or amla, used as one of the anti-aging and rejuvenating herbs in Ayurvedic Medicine.
Most of the plant parts are used for medicinal purpose, most widely the fruits are used either alone or along with other herbs to treat conditions such as cold and fever, for constipation, stomach ulcers, anti-inflammatory and hair tonic. Most of the pre-clinical studies have indicated that AMALAKI can be used as antipyretic, analgesic, healthy blood sugar level management, neuro-protective, nephro-protective and hepatoprotective.
The most important photochemical constituents such as gallic acid, ellagic acid, pyrogallol and some norsesquiterpenoids such as corilagin, geraniin, elacocarpusin and prodelphinidins B1 and B12 seems to possess neuro protective, anti-neoplastic and chemo and radio protective properties. Along with that it has potential effect on free radical scavenging, antioxidant, antimutagenic and immunomodulatory properties. However, most of the preclinical studies indicated the enormous amount of benefits, still further research is warranted to see the clinical effect of AMLAKI.
One of the major ingredients in Triphala
Scientific Evidence:
Hepato-Protective Properties:
Thilakchand KR, Mathai RT, Simon P, Ravi RT, Baliga-Rao MP, Baliga MS. Hepatoprotective properties of the Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis Gaertn): a review. Food Funct. 2013 Oct;4(10):1431-41. doi: 10.1039/c3fo60237k.
Sultana S, Ahmad SN and Khanand T Jahangir. Effect of Emblica officinalis (Gaertn) on CCl4 induced hepatic toxicity and DNA synthesis in Wistar rats. India J Exp Biol. 2005;43(5):430-6.
DOSAGE: 100mg per Kg body weight
Anti-neoplastic properties:
Baliga MS, Dsouza JJ. Amla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn), a wonder berry in the treatment and prevention of cancer. Eur J Cancer Prev. 2011 May;20(3):225-39. doi: 10.1097/CEJ.0b013e32834473f4.
Anti-Diabetic Properties:
D’souza JJ, D’souza PP, Fazal F, Kumar A, Bhat HP, Baliga MS. Anti-diabetic effects of the Indian indigenous fruit Emblica officinalis Gaertn: active constituents and modes of action. Food Funct. 2014 Apr;5(4):635-44. doi: 10.1039/c3fo60366k.
Anti-Cancer Properties:
Baliga MS, Dsouza JJ. Amla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn), a wonder berry in the treatment and prevention of cancer. Eur J Cancer Prev. 2011 May;20(3):225-39. doi: 10.1097/CEJ.0b013e32834473f4.
Anti-Bacterial and Anti-Fungal Activity:
Khorana ML, Rao MRR and Siddiqui HH. Antibacterial and antifungal activity of Phyllanthus emblica Linn. Indian J Pharm. 1959;21:331
Anti-Inflammatory Activities:
Asmawi. Anti-inflammatory activities of Emblica officinalis, Jorn. Pharm. Pharmacol. 1993;45(6):581-584.
Traditional Ayurvedic Reference:
GANA: Vayahsthapan, Virechanopag and Parushakadi
KULA: Eranda Kula (Euphorbiaceae)
FAMILY: Euphorbaceae
SANSKRIT NAMES: Shriphala, Dhatrika, Amrutha, Sheeta, Gayatrei
PROPERTIES:
GUNA: laghu, rooksha and sheeta
RASA: Pancharasa (except Salty)
VIPAKA: Madhura
VEERYA: Sheeta (Cooling)
ACTION ACCORDING TO AYURVEDA:
Tridoshahara: able to balance the three doshas
Vata Balance: by its sour taste
Pitta Balance: by its sweet taste and cooling property
Kapha Balance: by its rough property and astringent taste
External Uses: Used for hair growth, complexion and as a refrigerant
Internal Uses:
Nervous System: Strengthens nervous system, bone marrow and sense organs. Promotes memory.
Digestive System: Promotes taste, helps with loss of appetite and anorexia, relieves constipation, liver disorders, acid peptic diseases, ascites, and piles. Best Rasayana (Rejuvenator).
Circulatory System: Along with Iron (Loha), used to treat anaemia due to its high natural Vitamin C content which promotes iron absorption.
Respiratory System: Used in diseases like cough, asthma, tuberculosis, etc.
Reproductive System: Used in low sperm count, spermatorrhoea, menorrhagia and uterine debility.
Urinary System: Used for diabetes along with turmeric.
DOSAGE: 6–11 grams per day dry powder
Reference:
- Chakara Chikitsa Sthanam & Charaka Sutrasthanam
- Bhavaprakasha
- Sushruta Sutrasthanam
