Amla

Amla is a household name in India. It is known to impart good health. It is highly reputed for its rejuvenative properties. Amla is consumed as a coolant in summers in the form of 'murabbas' or refreshing drinks and during winters as pickles.
Amla imparts youthful vigor, strength, promotes health and longevity.

Amla - Phyllanthus emblica; family - Euphorbiaceae

This fruit is highly prized both for its high vitamin C content and for the precious oil which is extracted from its seeds and pulp and used as a treatment for hair and scalp problems. It is the world's richest source of vitamin C. Amla fruit is also known as "Indian Gooseberry".

Amla oil is prepared from dried amla berries which have been soaked in coconut oil for several days in order to extract the oil soluble vitamins from the fruit. The filtered and purified oil is commonly called "amla oil". This oil has a long history of use as an aid for improving the health of hair and scalp. In fact, it is one of the world's oldest, natural hair conditioners.

 Amla forms the major ingredient of popular indian remedies like 'Chyavanprash' and 'Trifla'.

Active Principles - Tannins such as emblicanin A and B, punigluconin, quercetin (flavonoid) and Vitamin C.

Antioxidant Activity - In the present day scenario of high pollution and stress. Amla can be helpful by countering the free radical induced changes.

Cytoprotective Activity

Hepatoprotective Activity - Protection of liver against liver toxicants like country made liquor and paracetamol was observed with 50 % ethanolic extract of Amla.

Hypolipaedemic Activity - Lipid lowering effect of Amla has been shown in rabbits.

Clinical studies conducted on patients with allergic and respiratory infections showed that Chyavanparash ( which contains high content of Amla ) caused decrease in the IgE levels. This was shown more pronounced in the allergic groups. Hence, Chyavanprash helps in controlling allergic respiratory problems.

Effects of Amla on Smokers showed that it helped in improving the quality of life and general well being.