Amalaki

English: Emblic Myrobalan (Indian Gooseberry)

Hindi: Anola

Latin: Phyllanthus Emblica L. (Euphorbiaceae)

Introduction:

Amalki is most common herbal drug known in Indian tradition. Their utilization in the form of murabba and powders of fruit for beauty purposes in Indian household is well known.

In history of Ayurvedic Classics, their comes a description of Ancient Sage's Maharshi Chyavan, who lost his youth due to in order to restore his youth Vaidya's of God, "Ashwini Kumar"-The twin Vaidya's, prepared Chavanaprasha for him, which has the main ingredient Amalaki in it.

Amalki is one of the best Rasayana's "Rejuvenator" in Ayurvedic Medicine. It prevents aging and thus restores Youth.

Habitat & Morphology:

Amalki Plant grows nearly in all parts of India, mostly Uttarpradesh, Bihar and Eastern States. It is medium Height plant "8-20mts". Leaves are simple, are closely set along the branches, like Temerindus leaves. Fruits in unripe stage are green and ripe fruits are pale yellow, slightly greenish, globose, and fleshy. Banarasi variety fruits are supposed to be the best.

Chemical Ingredients:

Tannins like Gallic acid, Aligic Acid and glucose; Vit C and Pectine are in good amount. Vit C is 600-912mg in 100gms of fruit. Because of this Tannin, dry fruit powder has good amount of Vit C, Latter is preserved as Tannin prevents their destruction.

Properties:

Taste (Rasa): Mainly sour (amla), Sweet (madhur), Bitter (tikta), Pungent (katu), and Astringent (kashaya).

Potency (Virya): Cold (shita).

Post Digestive Effect: Sweet (madhur).(Vipaka)

Attributes (Guna): Heavy (guru), Dry (ruksha) and Cold (shita).

Dosha: Alleviates all the three dosha's but specially Pitta.

Action (Karma): Rejuvenator, Diuretic, Anti-diabetic, Eye Protective, Beneficial for skin and hair, mental tonic, liver protective, Cardiac Tonic, Beneficial for respiratory diseases, Uterine Tonic, Beneficial for general Anasarca.

Parts Used:

Fruit: 3-6gm (Powdered) with honey.
10-20ml (Juice Extract) as advised by Physician.

Rejuvenating Property:

It Acts as antioxidant on the body. The most common preparation of Amalaki is Chyavanaprash, it’s a rasayana “Rejuvenator”. 1-2 teaspoon of Chyavanprash with a glass of milk prevents aging and improves memory, sexual vitality, prevents cough, asthma, gout and sexual debility. It is indicated in old age, tuberculosis, weak children, general debility and wasting disorders.

Triphala is another very popular compound preparation of Amalaki in equal proportion with Bibhitaka (Terminalia Belirica) and Haritaki (Terminalia Chebula), it’s a mild laxative, rejuvenator, Beneficial in eye disorders, and it specially improves eyesight. Dose: 1-2gm taken daily with honey.

External Use:

 Fruits extracts are used as hair wash to prevent premature graying and fall of hairs. It improves luster of hair.
 It is one of the best cooling and cleansing agents for skin.
 Fruit paste pacifies burning sensation of skin and skin rashes.
 Daily eyewash with fruit juice or extract of dry powder improves eyesight and reduces the swelling around eye.
 Dry powder massage (Udhawartan) with Triphala powder reduces subcutaneous fat of body.

References:

 Bhavaprakash Nighantu (Indian Materia Medica) of Sri Bhava Misra (c.1600-1600 A.D.). Haritakyadi Varga.
 Dravyaguna Vigyana Vol. II By Dr. P.V. Sharma. Ch. 9 P.758.
 Herbs for beauty “Revealing Ayurvedic Treasures” By- Dr. Prakash Paranjpee and Smita Paranjpee; Herbs for rejuvenation. P. 77.