Kerala Ayurveda – Amla or Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis) which improves your health in a natural and ayurvedic way.

Amla or Indian gooseberry is good for a better healthy life and it grows on a tree of medium size. The fruits of amla are spherical in shape and greenish yellow in color. Amla is sour, bitter and astringent.

Health benefits and medicinal qualities of Amla in Ayurveda.

According to Ayurveda all parts of the Indian gooseberry or amla has medicinal value. Charaka and Susuhurta the great acharyas of Ayurveda have widely mentioned about the curative benefits of Amla. Amla balances the Tridoshas namely Vata, Pita and Kapha. It has rejuvenating properties and promotes longevity and hence forms an important ingredient in health tonics, chavanprash and many ayurvedic preparations. Amla is an abundant source of vitamins, minerals, proteins and fiber. Amla helps in combating the free radicals with the antioxidants present in it. The antioxidants reduce aging process. It enhances metabolism and helps in reducing body weight. It also helps the body to flush out toxins and purify the blood. These qualities make it good for healthy skin. It is found to increase the blood count and hence used in cases of anemia. Amla is known to enhance absorption of food and the rich vitamin content is easily absorbed by the body. Amla calms gastro intestinal problems like mild acidity caused by excess Pitta. Regular intake of Amla juice helps to reduce cholesterol level in blood. It can stimulate the pancreas to secrete insulin and regulate blood sugar level. It can also improve the function of liver. Amla reduces Kapha. So it is used in treating respiratory infections. Amla is known for its ability to promote hair growth. It also delays pre mature graying of hair. This makes Amla an important ingredient in many ayurvedic hair tonics. The fiber content of the fruit helps to relieve constipation.

Amla in Ayurveda, herbal remedies using Amla.

Regular intake of Amla boosts immunity and prevents diseases from affecting you easily. It is good in cases of anemia. Amla powder and asafetida mixed in warm water is good to treat acidity in stomach. Amla promotes hair growth and reduces dandruff. Crush three to four amlas and put it in a glass of milk for few hours. Apply this on scalp and hair. It works as a good hair conditioner. Amla mixed with honey can be consumed to alleviate the irritations caused due to conjunctivitis.
Take the juice of one or two amlas. Dilute it with water and drink it regularly. This will help to regulate high cholesterol level. Regular intake of Amla juice mixed with juice of bitter gourd helps to reduce the blood sugar level.

PREPARATION OF AMLA OIL.

Coarsely grind few amlas and mix it with coconut oil. Boil the oil till it becomes dark in color. Cool it. Strain the oil and store it in a bottle. This oil can be applied on scalp to promote the healthy growth of hair.