Amla

Latin name : Emblica officinalis

Family : Euphorbiaceae

Folk / Common names : Amalaki , Dhatri, Amalik, emblic, Indian gooseberry , mirabolano emblico , amara, Phyllanthe emblic , nellikai , makarm pom

Actions: Blood and Yin tonic, Astringent, Aphrodisiac, Antioxidant, Anti scorbutic, hemostatic, laxative, nutritive tonic, refrigerant, rejuvenative,

Part used : Berries

Constituents : High Vit C , flavonoids, kaempferol, ellagic acid and gallic acid , polyphenols and tannins.

Uses : It is one of the main ingridients inChyavanprash, a paste used inAyurveda as a general tonic. It is used for anemia, debility, wasting diseases, as an antiaging remedy and for general convalescence. Its high Vit C content is extremely useful for treating scurvy and as an antioxidant. Other indications are - biliousness, bleeding disorders, colitis, constipation, diabetes, hemorrhoids, hepatitis, gastritis, gout, premature greying or hair loss, tissue deficiency, weakness of the liver or spleen. It may be effective for high cholesterol and prevention of atherosclerosis as well as helping to restore collagen.