Amla
Amla is perhaps the single most often mentioned herb in the Caraka Samhita. It has a reputation as a powerful
rejuvenating herb. The fruit is reputed to have the highest content of vitamin C
of any natural occurring substances in nature. It promotes ojas and the
reproductive fluids, and is useful in the treatment of ulcers and hyperacidity.
A research team discovered that
when amla is taken regularly as a dietary supplement, it counteracts the toxic
effects of prolonged exposure to environmental heavy metals, such as lead,
aluminium, and nickel. These metals are prevalent in the environment of
industrialized countries. In the studies the pro-oxidant or oxygen radical
scavenger qualities of amla suggest that it is also very effective in lowering
the risk of many cancers. Other studies indicate that it is much more effective
than Vitamin C alone in reducing chromosomal abnormalities. Amla juice has
twenty times more vitamin C than orange juice, and natural tannins prevent
oxidation of the vitamin content in a dry condition ? in other words, it is heat
stable. Studies indicate that the naturally occurring vitamin C is easier for
the body to absorb than synthetic vitamin C. This and other studies indicate
that naturally occurring vitamin C may be ten times beneficial to the body than
synthetic vitamins. The Vitamin C content of amla is between 625 mg ? 1814 mg
per 100 grams!
Other studies show that amla
increases red blood cell count and hemoglobin percentages, and patients started
their anabolic phase (metabolic processes involved in protein synthesis) sooner.
The dried fruit reduced cholesterol levels, indicating that amla is safe to
consume on a long term basis.
Amla reduces unwanted fat
because it increases total protein levels; this is due to its ability to create
a positive nitrogen balance and it also significantly reduces the levels of free
fatty acids. In addition, amla, in a raw or natural form, reduces cholesterol
and cholesterol induced atherosclerosis (Obstruction of the arteries), making it
a useful natural product to fight obesity. One study shows that it prevented
atheroma (degeneration of the artery walls due to fat and scar tissue).
Furthermore, amla has exhibited considerable effect in inhibiting the HIV virus
which ultimately results in the disease AIDS.
Therefore, one can draw the
conclusion that amla is good for almost everyone on a regular basis. It reduces
or eliminates the risk of environmental pollutants, normalizes cholesterol,
reduces unwanted fat, cures ulcers, reduces or prevents cancer, has the highest
content of vitamin C of any natural source, detoxifies the body, regulates
digestion, has inhibiting effects against the HIV virus, promotes metabolic
function and can produce these results in a dried, natural, unprocessed form.
Amla, Aonla
Botanical Name: Species: Emblica officinalis Gaertn., Syn.:
Phyllanthus emblica L., Family: Euphorbiaceae, Origin India.
Habit: A deciduous tree of small to medium size up to 5.5
meters.
Analysis of the fruit pulp: Ascorbic acid 1094 mg/100
ml of juice
Utilization: The fruits are used for making preserves and
pickles, several Ayurvedic medicinal preparations, hairwash powders, hair oils
etc. The fruit and bark is also used in tanning of leather by the village
tanners.
Special Features: Amla is a very rich source of vitamin C.
Its ascorbic acid content ranges from 1100 to 1700 mg per 100 grams which is
said to be the second highest among all the fruits next only to the Barbados
cherry (Malpighia glabra). Amla has been held in very high esteem in old
Sanskrit and other Indian language books on medicinal plants.
Medicinal Uses
The root bark is useful in ulcerative stomatitis and
gastrohelcosis. The bark is useful in gonorrhoea, jaundice, diarrhoea and
myalgia. The leaves are useful in conjuctivitis, inflammation, dyspepsia,
diarrhoea and dysentery. The fruits are useful in diabetes, cough, asthma,
bronchitis, cephalalgia, ophthalmopathy, dyspepsia, colic, flatulence,
hyperacidity, peptic ulcer, erysipelas, skin diseaes, leprosy, haematemesis,
inflammations, anaemia, emaciation, hepatopathy, jaundice, strangury, diarrhoea,
dysentery, haemorrhages, leucorrhoea, menorrhagia, cardiac disorders,
intermittent fevers and greyness of hair. It is the principal constituent of the
famous Ayurvedic restorative tonic called CHAYAVAN PRASH.
Wild Amla
The cultivated amla is basically a tropical fruit and is
highly sensitive to temperatures below 32 F. It is grown as an orchard crop in
several parts of warmer India. There is a great demand for its fruits. A wild
strain grows in the forests of the Western Himalayas up to an altitude of 5000
ft even at places experiences mild snowfall during winter months. So it is cold
resistant. The fruits of wild amla are relatively smaller. This variant can be
planted at places where the winter temperatures do not fall below 25 F. Superior
cold hardy cultivars might be produced by breeding.
Resource Person
Dr. Chiranjit Parmar, 186/3 Jail Road, Mandi HP 175 001 INDIA, Phone:
01905-22810 , Fax: 01905-25419, E-mail:
parmarch@vsnl.com
Copyright ? 2000. All Rights Reserved. Quotation from this document should cite
and acknowledge the contributor.
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