Benefits Of The Superfood: Amla

Amla or Indian gooseberry is a seasonal fruit, it's the richest source of Vit C and is full of health benefits. Amalaki fruit is delicious and considered as one of the best medicinally important herbs of Ayurveda. To understand more about it and its benefits, we spoke to our Ayurvedic expert Dr. Ranganayukulu, PhD in History of Ayurveda.

Amla, Amalaki or the Indian Gooseberry is one of the three important myrobalans of Ayurveda. Amla is loaded with beneficial nutrients and is effective in multiple ways for our health. It is also considered as a superfood. It has been used in ayurveda to treat certain health conditions for over thousand years now. Ayurvedic expert Dr. Ranganayukulu, says, 'Amalaki' is an important herb that rejuvenates and boosts immunity.

Health Conditions And Amla Intake

Amla can treat or manage various diseases and its symptoms. Therefore, here are some of the health conditions, as explained by our ayurvedic expert, in which amla is effective and in what form and how it should be consumed in each condition.

Anaemia

• 10-20 ml of fresh juice is to be taken along with equal amounts of sugarcane juice.
• 3-6 gm Amalaki Churna mixed with 1 tablespoon of honey.
• Mix 50 gm Amalaki Churna with 250 gm of Loha Bhasma (iron cinder) and take 3-5 gm along with honey for 30 days.

Jaundice

• 10-20 ml of fresh juice of Amalaki and grape juice may be used in Jaundice. It has hepato-proactive activity. Amalaki reduces the levels of cholesterol in serum and liver.

Internal bleeding and heavy menstruation

• 3-6 g of Amalaki churna mixed with honey is useful.
• 5 gm of Amalaka fried with ghee applied on the head cures bleeding from nose, which generally happens during summers.

It is a rich source of calcium.

Diabetes and all types of Urinary Disorders

• Consume 10-20 ml fresh juice of Amalaki mixed with a pinch of turmeric to be taken every day to keep a check on blood glucose level.
• Amalaki fruit also helps reduce blood sugar levels. Nishamalaki Churna (gooseberry and turmeric) in diabetes proves the efficacy of the combination.

Hyperacidity

• Mix equal quantities of powders 3 gm Amalaki, 3 gm of Shatavari (asparagus) and 3 gm sugar and add honey. Take with ghee or milk once daily for seven days before food. It has anti-peptic ulcer activity. It is useful in ulcer and useful in indigestion.

Vomiting

• Mix 10-20 ml of Amalaki juice with cold soup of green gram to be taken daily on an empty stomach. It has antiemetic activity.

Greying of hair

• Use Amalaki and Japa (Hibiscus) paste as a hair pack for 45 minutes once in 10 days. It has antioxidant activity. It contains carbohydrates, protein, calcium and vitamin C and helps with greying hair.

Obesity and Heart Diseases

• Take one Amalaki fruit 4 times in a week for two months. It has hypo-lipidemic and anti-atherosclerotic activity. It reduces serum cholesterol.

Cough

• 3-6 gm of Amalaki Churna can be boiled with milk and taken with ghee until symptoms are pacified.

Hoarseness of Voice

• Daily consume one fruit with milk until symptoms are pacified.

Fractures

• Consume one Amla fruit daily. It is a rich source of calcium and antioxidants.

Aphrodisiac

• Consume 10-20 ml Amla juice mixed with sugar, honey and ghee with milk once a day for one month.

Promoting Intellect

• Take powder of sesame seeds and Amalaki mixed with honey and ghee in the morning for a month.

Rasayana (growth and longevity)

• Amalaki Rasayana can be consumed.
• You can also take 3-6 gm of amalaki powder mixed with gold bhasma (cinder) and honey. It promotes longevity.

Contraindications

• It has coagulant effect so avoid in blood clotting problems
• Long term use of Amalaki may cause upset stomach
• It might affect blood sugar levels, so stop its consumption at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery

Therefore, Amla is very beneficial for health and is also considered as the powerhouse of nutrients.