Monday, May 25, 2009

Amla (Emblica Officinalis)

This amazing fruit has many names some of the common names are Amalaki, Emblic Myrobalans, and Indian Gooseberry. It is native to India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, southern China, and Malaysia. Most commonly cultivated throughout India, below elevations of 3,000 ft.

The benefits of Amla have been used for untold centuries. Its origins go back as far in time as Hindu mythology. In modern Hindu practice, the tree that bears the fruit is considered to be sacred to both Vishnu and Shiva. Amla is one of the most commonly used rasayanas. A rasayana is a rejuvenative remedy. It restores appetite, relieves nausea, stops vomiting, helps with bleeding issues and helps with liver dysfunction. Its name in Sanskrit means "the sustainer" and it traditionally is used to provide nourishment to all the tissues. Research has shown that amla has adaptogenic qualities, which in many ways is the modern equivalent of the ancient Indian concept of rasayana. This modern research has confirmed many of amla's traditional uses.

Amla fruit is rich in vitamin C and antioxidant flavonoids and polyshenols. These compounds are what would make this fruit an anti-inflammatory and help stabilize connective tissue, blood vessels, bones, hair & eyes.

Properties: Mild adaptogen, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, aperient (mild laxative), diuretic, and lowers cholesterol.
Constituents: Amla is rich in antioxidant polyphenols, including ellagic acid, phyllemlin, quercetin and emblicol. It also contains significant amounts of vitamin C as well as condensed tannins and flavonoids.

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