🌿 Amla (Āmalakī) – The Elixir of Health

Botanical Name: Emblica officinalis Gaertn.

(Syn. Phyllanthus emblica Linn.)
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Common English Name: Indian Gooseberry / Emblic Myrobalan

🌸 Synonyms

• Āmalakī / Amala – Rejuvenative, sustains the body

• Vayasya – Promotes longevity

• Vayaḥsthā – Prevents ageing, preserves youth

• Vṛṣyā – Enhances fertility & vitality

• Śivam – Beneficial to health

• Dhātrīphala / Dhātrī – Nourishes and strengthens tissues

• Śrīphala – Improves complexion

• Amṛtaphala / Amṛtā – Divine elixir with rasāyana properties

• Tiṣyaphala – Auspicious seasonal fruit

🌍 Regional Names

• Hindi: Amalā, Amvalā, Āmvṛā

• Bengali: Amalā, Amaro, Amalaki

• Marathi: Avale, Avali

• Punjabi: Amala, Ambula

• Gujarati: Ambala, Amalā, Āmali

• Kannada: Nelli, Nellikāyi

• Telugu: Usarikaya, Usarika

• Tamil: Nelli-maram, Nellikāya

• Oriya/Rajasthani: Amla, Amvala

• English: Indian Gooseberry, Emblic Myrobalan

🌳 Botanical Description

• Type: Medium-sized deciduous tree (9–12 m tall)

• Bark: Grey, exfoliating in irregular patches

• Leaves: Small, linear-oblong, pinnately arranged

• Flowers: Small, yellowish clusters

• Fruit: Round, pale yellow, smooth, fleshy, ~2 cm in diameter

• Season:

  • Flowering: March–May

  • Fruiting: October–February

🧪 Key Chemical Constituents

• Richest natural source of Vitamin C (20× more than oranges)

• Carotene, Riboflavin, Nicotinic acid

• Phyllemblic acid, Emblicol, Ellagic acid, Lupeol

• Tannins (Gallic acid, Procyanidins)

• Minerals: Chromium, Zinc, Copper

• Superoxide dismutase – strong anti-ageing enzyme

💎 Properties

• Rasāyana – Rejuvenative & longevity-promoting

• Tridoṣa-hara – Balances Vāta, Pitta & Kapha

• Cooling & Digestive – Enhances metabolism

• Antioxidant & Immunity Booster – Protects against oxidative stress

• Cardioprotective & Hepatoprotective – Supports heart and liver health

🌿 Therapeutic Uses

• Digestive Health: Relieves acidity, dyspepsia, diarrhoea, dysentery

• Blood & Metabolism: Useful in anaemia, diabetes, bleeding disorders

• Immunity & Rejuvenation: Builds resistance, slows ageing, improves complexion

• Respiratory Care: Helpful in asthma, bronchitis, cold & cough

• Hair & Skin: Promotes hair growth, used in hair oils and shampoos; improves skin tone

• Other Uses:

  • Decoction with Daruharidra, Guduci, and Yaṣṭimadhu for diabetes & leucorrhoea

  • Eye inflammation (fruit exudation applied externally)

  • Seeds – in asthma & biliousness

  • Oil – strengthens hair roots

📏 Recommended Dosage

• Powder (Cūrṇa): 5–10 g with honey or water

• Fresh Fruit / Juice: 1–2 fruits daily (rich in Vitamin C)

• Decoction: Used in Ayurvedic formulations

✨ Why Choose Amla?

✔️ Richest natural source of Vitamin C
✔️ Powerful antioxidant & immunity booster
✔️ Traditional Ayurvedic rasāyana for vitality & longevity
✔️ Supports digestion, skin glow & healthy hair
✔️ Backed by ancient wisdom and modern science

📌 Amla – Truly a gift of nature for rejuvenation, vitality, and holistic health.

Ref: Bhavaprakash Nighantu