HERB HERITAGE: AMLA
In the Vishnu Puran, it is mentioned that when Lord Vishnu witnessed the world being enveloped in water during the Varaha avatar’s incarnation, when Hiranyaksha engulfed the earth in the cosmic sea, he was moved to tears. These tears landed on the ground and transformed into an Amla tree. Another tale suggests that this tree was born from the Amrit, or the elixir of eternal life, which was scattered across the earth during the Samudra Manthan (churning of the ocean).
It is also believed that the Amla tree was the inaugural tree to appear on the earth, hence it is referred to as Adiroha or the primordial tree. The tree is revered so highly that simply recalling the existence of this fruit imparts numerous spiritual benefits. This fruit is believed to have the power to heal various ailments. Consuming this fruit is believed to bring about three times the usual level of auspicious outcomes. Performing the Pindadaan ceremony under this sacred tree is said to free the ancestors. Consuming the fruit is also believed to confer the blessings of Godaan, or the act of donating a cow. This tree is honored during the month of Kartik, particularly on the auspicious Amlaka Ekadashi day.
Amalaki is one of the most important and widely studied herbs in Ayurvedic frameworks of pharmaceuticals. Amla fruit is broadly utilised within the Indian system of medication as diuretic, purgative, liver tonic, refrigerant, stomachic, therapeutic, anti-pyretic, hair tonic, ulcer preventive conjointly valuable for common cold and fever, as alone or in combination with other plants. The natural product is utilised as a major constituent in several formulations such as Chyavanprash and Rasayana which advances wellbeing and life span.
Customary utilisation of Emblica officinalis or Amalaki progresses resistance, battle against cancers, constant illnesses like hypertension, cholesterol, diabetes, flu, unremitting weakness and chronic inflammatory conditions. E. officinalis is additionally appropriate as anti‑aging, sunscreen and for skin care products. Emblica officinalis has antioxidant, immunomodulatory, adaptogenic, cardioprotective, nephroprotective, hepatoprotective, antipyretic, pain relieving, cytoprotective, antitussive, gastroprotective, wound recuperating and antidiarrheal properties. It is additionally utilized as a hair tonic. Its applications include memory improving, ophthalmic disarranges, decreasing cholesterol level, anticipate peptic ulcer, weakness, etc.
A few diverse uses of Amla include anticancer activity, antianaemic, hepatoprotective, antidiarrheal action, antimicrobial, hypolipidemic action, insecticidal action, antioxidant, anti-ageing activity, antidiabetic activity (hypoglycemic action), cardioprotective action, antiulcer action, hostile to pyretic, analgesic action, memory upgrading activity, radioprotective etc.
Vitamin C content of Amla increases in the sun-dried Amla. For example, if 100 gms of fresh Amla gives 600 mgs of Vitamin C, then when it is sundried, its content increases to 1500 to 1600 mg. One fresh gooseberry is equal to consuming 16 bananas or 3 oranges. In Charaka Samhita, Amalaki is prescribed in different kinds of diseases in different dosage forms. It is included in Kushthaghna (treatment of skin diseases), Virechanopaga (for purgation), Kasahara (respiratory diseases), Jwarahara (in context of various fevers), Vayasthapana Mahakashaya (rejuvenative/ anti-ageing herbs) and Amlaskandha (related to sour herbs). Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita mention the applications of Amla at more than 40 and 36 places respectively in various contexts of formulations, disease management, panchakarma, etc. Amla also finds mention in the following Nighantu:
- Dhanvantri Nighantu (10th century CE): Guduchyadi Varga
- Shodhala Nighantu (12th century CE): Guduchyadi Varga
- Madanpala Nighantu (14th century CE): Abhayadi Varga
- Kaiyadeva Nighantu (14th century CE): Aushsdhi Varga
- Bhavaprakasha Nighantu (16th century CE): Haritakyadi Varga
- Raj Nighantu (17th century CE): Amradi Varga
Amla is known by the following synonyms, some of which indicate various morphological characteristics as well as therapeutic properties of the plant.
Amalaki: It has the Rasayana property. It specifies doshas, sustains the body and is devoid of malas.
Amrita: It has Rasayana property (like a divine elixir).
Amritphalam: Its fruit has properties of a divine elixir.
Dhatri: It nourishes and maintains body tissues.
Dhatriphala: Its fruit sustains and promotes Dhatus (tissues) and nourishes body tissues.
Jatiphalarasam: Its fruit juice is beneficial.
Shivam: Beneficial to health.
Shriphalam: Its fruit improves the complexion.
Tishyaphala: Fruit ripens in the month of Pausa and it is auspicious.
Vayahsthah: Prevents the process of aging. Keeps or prolongs youthfulness.
Vrishya: Promotes virility.
Vyasya: Useful for longevity.
Other popular synonyms of Amalaki are Amalakam, Amritodbhawa, Andakam, Dhatreyi, Dhatrika, Divya, Jatiphalam, Kola, Nishka, Radha, Rasaphala, Rochani, Shaanta, Sheetaphala, Shiva, Shringi, Shukti, Sidhuphala, Sidhurasa, Tishya, Varshaphala, Vrishyaphala, Vrittphala and Seeta.
It is also known by the following vernacular names:
- Sanskrit: Amtaphala, Emalaka, Dhatriphala
- Assamese: Amlakhi, Amlakhu, Amlaku
- Bengali: Amla, Dhatri
- English: Emblic Myrobalan
- Gujrati: Ambala, Amala
- Hindi: Amla, Aonla
- Kannada: Nellikayi, Bela nelli, Pottadenollikayi
- Kashmiri: Amli, Embali
- Malayalam: Nellikka
- Marathi: Anvala, Avalkathi
- Oriya: Ainla, Anala
- Punjabi: Aula, Amla
- Tamil: Nellikkai, Nelli
- Telugu: Usirika
- Urdu: Amla, Amlaj
AMLA AND COMMON DISEASES
Piles: Amla juice taken with 250 mg of giloy extract is an effective remedy for piles.
Blood cholesterol level: Grind dried amla into a fine powder and mix it with rock sugar (mishri). Store this mixture in a glass bottle and take one teaspoon every day on an empty stomach.
Anti-diabetic: Prepare a mixture of equal parts of amla, jamun and bitter gourd powder. Take one teaspoon of this mixture once or twice a day.
Conjunctivitis and glaucoma: Mix equal parts of amla, jamun and bitter gourd powder. Take one teaspoon of this mixture once or twice a day.
Acidity: Take 1 gm of dry amla powder with a little sugar mixed in milk or water, twice a day.
Diarrhoea: One teaspoon of amla leaf powder mixed with honey is an effective remedy.
- Amla-rich oils and shampoos promote hair growth and prevent premature graying.
- Amla helps restore vitamin C levels in the elderly, diabetics, hypertensives, and women taking estrogen-containing birth control pills.
- Vitamin C deficiency makes people lethargic, susceptible to infections, and suffer from rheumatic pain and intestinal disorders. Consuming amla helps eliminate this feeling of lethargy and makes people energetic and optimistic.
Scurvy: Dried amla powder mixed with equal amount of sugar, taken in a teaspoonful three times a day with milk, provides enough vitamin C to overcome scurvy.
- Amla also works wonders for pregnant and lactating women.
- It also reduces the incidence of gastrointestinal and respiratory cancers.
- Amla is nature’s best antioxidant. Foods rich in antioxidants fight free radicals naturally and without any side effects.
Indigestion: Tender amla shoots in ghee cure indigestion and fresh green leaves combined with curd also have the same effect.
Nausea and vomiting: Amla powder mixed with red sandalwood and prepared with honey helps alleviate nausea and vomiting.
*The writer is an Ayurveda physician, DST Woman Scientist A, AIIMS New Delhi, and founder of Pratha Ayurveda.
