Amalaki (Phyllanthus emblica L.)
Amalaki (Phyllanthus emblica L.)
- Local name: Amla (Hindi), Indian Gooseberry (English)
- Habitat: Found all over India
- Part used: Fruit
- General description: Amla is a medium-sized deciduous plant that grows to a height of 8–18 meters. It has a crooked trunk and spreading branches. Its flower is yellow-greenish in color. The fruit is spherical, pale yellow with six vertical furrows. It has gray bark and reddish wood. The leaves are feathery and linear-oblong in shape with a peculiar smell. The wood is hard in texture and wraps and splits when exposed to sun or excessive heat.
Uses of Amalaki:
- Enhancing immunity: The fruit is used in the form of juice, powder, food recipes, or formulations to enhance immunity against diseases.
- Urinary problems: 10 to 20 ml of fresh juice of Amalaki with jaggery is beneficial in relieving burning micturition.
- Reproductive problems: Fresh juice or powder of Amalaki is useful in treating menorrhagia and leucorrhoea.
- Diabetes / Prediabetes: Powder of Amalaki and turmeric (2–4 gm each in equal quantity) with water is an effective remedy.
- Anemia: Juice of Amalaki is beneficial.
- Acid peptic disorder: Amalaki powder (2–3 gm) with warm water helps in reducing hyperacidity.
