Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
Amla known as Amalaki consists of the fruit pericarp of Emblica officinalis. It is a revered Rasayana or rejuvenator in Ayurveda possessing five tastes excluding salt predominantly Sour. Despite its sourness it has a Cold potency and Sweet post digestive effect making it a powerful Tridoshahara that balances Vata Pitta and Kapha. It is specifically indicated for Raktapitta or bleeding disorders Amlapitta or hyperacidity and Prameha or diabetes. It acts as a potent antioxidant rich in stable Vitamin C and is beneficial for the eyes heart and hair. Common formulations include Chyavanaprasa and Dhatri Lauha. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India recommends a dosage of 3 to 6 grams of powder or 5 to 10 ml of fresh juice to promote longevity and immunity.
Amla, also known as the Indian Gooseberry, is one of the most revered medicinal plants in Ayurveda. It is classified as a Rasayana (rejuvenator) and is unique because it possesses five out of the six tastes recognized in Ayurveda. It is considered the best among age-sustaining drugs (Vayasthapana) and is the primary ingredient in the famous formulation Chyavanaprasa.
Amla is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree found throughout India. The fruit is round, greenish-yellow, and possesses a sour and astringent taste. In Ayurveda, it is highly valued not just as a medicine but as a dietary staple for longevity. Ancient texts like Charaka Samhita describe it as "nectar-like," capable of restoring youthfulness and strength. It is unique because, unlike other sour fruits, it is cooling in nature and does not aggravate heat (Pitta) in the body.
According to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Amla possesses the following properties:
Amla is indicated for the following conditions in Ayurveda:
The general dosage recommended by the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India is:
Amla is considered one of the safest herbs in Ayurveda. It is described as mild and safe enough for use in children, the elderly, and debilitated persons. It is categorized as a Rasayana, meaning it is safe for long-term use to promote health.
Encyclopaedia Britannica – Indian Gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica)
Botanical description and traditional uses.
https://www.britannica.com/plant/Indian-gooseberry
Kew Science – Plants of the World Online (POWO)
Taxonomic and botanical details.
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:189538-1
The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) – Ministry of AYUSH
Official monograph on Amalaki.
https://www.ayush.gov.in
Indian Medicinal Plants – A Compendium of 500 Species
Warrier, P.K., Nambiar, V.P.K., & Ramankutty, C.
Indian Materia Medica – Nadkarni, K.M.
https://archive.org/details/IndianMateriaMedica
Database on Medicinal Plants Used in Ayurveda (CCRAS)
https://www.ccras.nic.in
WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants
https://www.who.int
Review Article: Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Properties of Emblica officinalis
Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
https://www.sciencedirect.com
Q. Can it be taken daily?
Yes. Amla is a Rasayana (rejuvenative) and is recommended for daily use to maintain youth and immunity. Formulations like Chyavanaprasa (based on Amla) are designed for daily consumption.
Q. When should it be taken?
It is often recommended to be taken in the morning. For specific conditions like acidity, it is taken before meals, or as directed by a physician.
Q. Can it be taken with milk/water?
Yes. Powdered Amla can be taken with warm water. Many traditional rejuvenation therapies involve taking Amla followed by a diet of milk and ghee.
Written By
Sathyaprek
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
27 Sep 2022 • 06:23 PM (IST)
Read Our Editorial Policy
Want to know more?
Have issue with the content?
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Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
Amla known as Amalaki consists of the fruit pericarp of Emblica officinalis. It is a revered Rasayana or rejuvenator in Ayurveda possessing five tastes excluding salt predominantly Sour. Despite its sourness it has a Cold potency and Sweet post digestive effect making it a powerful Tridoshahara that balances Vata Pitta and Kapha. It is specifically indicated for Raktapitta or bleeding disorders Amlapitta or hyperacidity and Prameha or diabetes. It acts as a potent antioxidant rich in stable Vitamin C and is beneficial for the eyes heart and hair. Common formulations include Chyavanaprasa and Dhatri Lauha. The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India recommends a dosage of 3 to 6 grams of powder or 5 to 10 ml of fresh juice to promote longevity and immunity.
Amla, also known as the Indian Gooseberry, is one of the most revered medicinal plants in Ayurveda. It is classified as a Rasayana (rejuvenator) and is unique because it possesses five out of the six tastes recognized in Ayurveda. It is considered the best among age-sustaining drugs (Vayasthapana) and is the primary ingredient in the famous formulation Chyavanaprasa.
Amla is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree found throughout India. The fruit is round, greenish-yellow, and possesses a sour and astringent taste. In Ayurveda, it is highly valued not just as a medicine but as a dietary staple for longevity. Ancient texts like Charaka Samhita describe it as "nectar-like," capable of restoring youthfulness and strength. It is unique because, unlike other sour fruits, it is cooling in nature and does not aggravate heat (Pitta) in the body.
According to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Amla possesses the following properties:
Amla is indicated for the following conditions in Ayurveda:
The general dosage recommended by the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India is:
Amla is considered one of the safest herbs in Ayurveda. It is described as mild and safe enough for use in children, the elderly, and debilitated persons. It is categorized as a Rasayana, meaning it is safe for long-term use to promote health.
Encyclopaedia Britannica – Indian Gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica)
Botanical description and traditional uses.
https://www.britannica.com/plant/Indian-gooseberry
Kew Science – Plants of the World Online (POWO)
Taxonomic and botanical details.
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:189538-1
The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) – Ministry of AYUSH
Official monograph on Amalaki.
https://www.ayush.gov.in
Indian Medicinal Plants – A Compendium of 500 Species
Warrier, P.K., Nambiar, V.P.K., & Ramankutty, C.
Indian Materia Medica – Nadkarni, K.M.
https://archive.org/details/IndianMateriaMedica
Database on Medicinal Plants Used in Ayurveda (CCRAS)
https://www.ccras.nic.in
WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants
https://www.who.int
Review Article: Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Properties of Emblica officinalis
Journal of Ethnopharmacology.
https://www.sciencedirect.com
Q. Can it be taken daily?
Yes. Amla is a Rasayana (rejuvenative) and is recommended for daily use to maintain youth and immunity. Formulations like Chyavanaprasa (based on Amla) are designed for daily consumption.
Q. When should it be taken?
It is often recommended to be taken in the morning. For specific conditions like acidity, it is taken before meals, or as directed by a physician.
Q. Can it be taken with milk/water?
Yes. Powdered Amla can be taken with warm water. Many traditional rejuvenation therapies involve taking Amla followed by a diet of milk and ghee.
Written By
Sathyaprek
BDS
Reviewed By
Dr. Varun Gupta
MD Pharmacology, MBBS
Last updated on
27 Sep 2022 • 06:23 PM (IST)
Read Our Editorial Policy
Want to know more?
Have issue with the content?
Report Problem