Reviewed by medical experts • For informational purposes only
Indian Gooseberry known as Amalaki in Ayurveda consists of the fruit of Emblica officinalis. It is revered as a powerful rejuvenator called Rasayana and is unique for possessing five tastes lacking only saltiness with Sour being dominant. Despite being sour it has a Cold potency and Sweet post digestive effect allowing it to balance all three doshas particularly Pitta. It is known as Dhatri or nurse due to its healing nature. Clinically it is indicated for bleeding disorders known as Raktapitta acidity diabetes and eye disorders. It is a key ingredient in the famous tonic Chyavanaprash and Triphala. 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.
Indian Gooseberry, known in Ayurveda as Amalaki or Dhatri, consists of the fresh or dried fruit of Emblica officinalis. It is one of the most celebrated herbs in Indian medicine, often called Amrtaphala (Fruit of Nectar) or Vayasthā (Stabilizer of age/youth). Unlike most sour fruits which increase bile and heat (Pitta), Amalaki is unique because it is cooling. It is revered as a "Mother" (Dhatri) because it nurses and protects the body, acting as a premier Rasayana (rejuvenator) that balances all three doshas.
The plant is a small to medium-sized tree found in mixed deciduous forests throughout India. The medicinal part is the fruit, which is globose, fleshy, pale green to yellowish-brown, and smooth with six prominent vertical lines. In Ayurveda, it is classified as the best among rejuvenating herbs (Rasayana) and is the primary ingredient in the famous tonic Chyavanaprash,. It is valued for prolonging life, enhancing memory, and treating deep-seated disorders while being gentle on the body.
According to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and Charaka Samhita, Amalaki possesses the following unique qualities:
Indian Gooseberry is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:
The recommended dosage according to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India is:
Amalaki is considered extremely safe and is one of the few herbs consumed as a food item daily. It is non-toxic and is often referred to as Amrita (Nectar).
WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants – Phyllanthus emblica
World Health Organization
https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/42052
WHO Global Report on Traditional and Complementary Medicine
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241515436
Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) – Amalaki
https://www.ayush.gov.in
PubMed – Phyllanthus emblica Research Articles
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Phyllanthus+emblica
ScienceDirect – Amla Phytochemistry & Pharmacology
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/phyllanthus-emblica
SpringerLink – Clinical & Experimental Studies on Amla
https://link.springer.com
Kew Science – Plants of the World Online (Phyllanthus emblica)
https://powo.science.kew.org
World Flora Online – Phyllanthus emblica
https://www.worldfloraonline.org
** **Q. Can it be taken daily?
Yes, it is a Rasayana (rejuvenator) and acts as a tonic for longevity and health maintenance.
Q. When should it be taken?
It can be taken in the morning (as in Chyavanaprash) or before meals to regulate acidity.
Q. Can it be taken with milk/water?
Yes. The powder is often taken with warm water. While sour fruits are usually incompatible with milk, Amalaki is sometimes an exception in specific processed medicines. It is commonly taken with honey or 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
Indian Gooseberry known as Amalaki in Ayurveda consists of the fruit of Emblica officinalis. It is revered as a powerful rejuvenator called Rasayana and is unique for possessing five tastes lacking only saltiness with Sour being dominant. Despite being sour it has a Cold potency and Sweet post digestive effect allowing it to balance all three doshas particularly Pitta. It is known as Dhatri or nurse due to its healing nature. Clinically it is indicated for bleeding disorders known as Raktapitta acidity diabetes and eye disorders. It is a key ingredient in the famous tonic Chyavanaprash and Triphala. 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.
Indian Gooseberry, known in Ayurveda as Amalaki or Dhatri, consists of the fresh or dried fruit of Emblica officinalis. It is one of the most celebrated herbs in Indian medicine, often called Amrtaphala (Fruit of Nectar) or Vayasthā (Stabilizer of age/youth). Unlike most sour fruits which increase bile and heat (Pitta), Amalaki is unique because it is cooling. It is revered as a "Mother" (Dhatri) because it nurses and protects the body, acting as a premier Rasayana (rejuvenator) that balances all three doshas.
The plant is a small to medium-sized tree found in mixed deciduous forests throughout India. The medicinal part is the fruit, which is globose, fleshy, pale green to yellowish-brown, and smooth with six prominent vertical lines. In Ayurveda, it is classified as the best among rejuvenating herbs (Rasayana) and is the primary ingredient in the famous tonic Chyavanaprash,. It is valued for prolonging life, enhancing memory, and treating deep-seated disorders while being gentle on the body.
According to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India and Charaka Samhita, Amalaki possesses the following unique qualities:
Indian Gooseberry is indicated in Ayurveda for the following conditions:
The recommended dosage according to the Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India is:
Amalaki is considered extremely safe and is one of the few herbs consumed as a food item daily. It is non-toxic and is often referred to as Amrita (Nectar).
WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants – Phyllanthus emblica
World Health Organization
https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/42052
WHO Global Report on Traditional and Complementary Medicine
https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241515436
Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India (API) – Amalaki
https://www.ayush.gov.in
PubMed – Phyllanthus emblica Research Articles
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=Phyllanthus+emblica
ScienceDirect – Amla Phytochemistry & Pharmacology
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/phyllanthus-emblica
SpringerLink – Clinical & Experimental Studies on Amla
https://link.springer.com
Kew Science – Plants of the World Online (Phyllanthus emblica)
https://powo.science.kew.org
World Flora Online – Phyllanthus emblica
https://www.worldfloraonline.org
** **Q. Can it be taken daily?
Yes, it is a Rasayana (rejuvenator) and acts as a tonic for longevity and health maintenance.
Q. When should it be taken?
It can be taken in the morning (as in Chyavanaprash) or before meals to regulate acidity.
Q. Can it be taken with milk/water?
Yes. The powder is often taken with warm water. While sour fruits are usually incompatible with milk, Amalaki is sometimes an exception in specific processed medicines. It is commonly taken with honey or 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