Contents:
Common Names | Parts Usually Used | Plant(s) & Culture | Where Found | Medicinal Properties | Aurvedic Aspects | Biochemical Information
Uses | Formulas or Dosages | Nutrient Content | How Sold | Warning | Resource Links
Scientific Names
- Emblica officinalis Gaertn.
- Phyllanthus emblica L.
- Phyllanthus emblica Linn.
Common Names
- Indian gooseberry
- Aamalaki
- Amalaki
- Amblabaum
- Amla
- Aonla
- Aovla
- Arbre de Malacca
- Arbre Myrobolan
- Avala
- Dhatriphala
- Emblic
- Emblic myrobalan
- Groseille à Maquereau Indienne
- Groseille Indienne
- Groseillier de Ceylan
- Grosella de la India
- Mirobalano
- Nelli
- Usirikaya
- Yu Gan Zi
Parts Usually Used
The fruit (primarily), root bark, stem bark, leaves, flowers, and seeds
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Description of Plant(s) and Culture
Amalaki is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree with an average height of 8-18 m, featuring thin light grey bark that exfoliates in small irregular flakes. The tree has greenish-grey bark and greenish-yellow flowers formed in axillary clusters. The branchlets are alternate and superposed, facing in one plane, with lengths up to 40 cm containing more than 100 leaves arranged in pinnate fashion, giving branches a feathery appearance.
The miniature, oblong leaves are only 3 mm wide and 1.25–2 cm long, distichously disposed on branchlets. The fruits are fleshy, spherical, light greenish-yellow when tender, changing to light yellow or brick-red when mature. They are quite smooth and hard in appearance, with 6 vertical stripes or furrows, each containing usually two seeds. The fruit diameter ranges between 1.8 and 2.5 cm.
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Where Found
Amalaki is found throughout tropical and subtropical India, chiefly in dry deciduous forests, ascending to 1400 m on the Himalaya. It grows in Chhota Nagpur, Bihar, Orissa, West Bengal, North Circars, Deccan, Karnataka and in Western Ghats. It is commercially cultivated in Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh in India. The tree is also native to the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
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Medicinal Properties
Amalaki has been extensively documented to possess numerous therapeutic properties including antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, antitumor, antiulcerogenic, anti-dyslipidemic, antidiabetic, cytoprotective, antitussive, gastroprotective, anticancer, memory-enhancing, antimutagenic, anti-snake venom, laxative, antiproliferative, antidiarrheal, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, anti-aging, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and chondroprotective activities.
Studies have shown that Amalaki may be effective for hypercholesterolemia, prevention of atherosclerosis, diabetes management, heartburn treatment, immune system support, liver protection, cancer prevention, and healthy aging. The fruit has demonstrated significant effects in reducing blood sugar levels, cholesterol levels, and providing protection against oxidative stress.
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Ayurvedic Aspects
In Ayurveda, Amalaki holds a prime position and is considered one of the most important medicinal plants. It is classified as a powerful Rasayana (rejuvenative) herb and is specifically mentioned as the best anti-aging drug (Vayasthapnanam Sreshtham) in Charaka Samhita.
Ayurvedic Properties (Ras Panchak):
- Rasa (Taste): Amla (sour), Madhura (sweet), Kashaya (astringent), Tikta (bitter), Katu (pungent)
- Guna (Qualities): Guru (heavy), Ruksha (dry), Sheeta (cooling)
- Virya (Potency): Sheeta (cooling)
- Vipaka (Post-digestive effect): Madhura (sweet)
- Doshaghnata: Tridosha-Shamaka, especially Pitta-Shamaka
Ayurvedic Actions and Uses: The root bark is astringent and useful in ulcerative stomatitis and gastric ulcer. The bark helps with gonorrhoea, jaundice, diarrhoea and myalgia. The flowers are cooling and aperient. The leaves are useful in conjunctivitis, inflammation, dyspepsia, diarrhoea and dysentery. The fruits are described as astringent, cooling, anodyne, carminative, digestive, stomachic, laxative, alterant, alexeteric, aphrodisiac, diuretic, antipyretic, tonic and trichogenous.
Ayurvedic Groups (Gana): Kushthaghna, Virechanopaga, Kasahar, Jwarhara, Vayahsthapana according to Charaka
Important Formulations: Chyawanprash, Brahmyarasyana, Dhatri Lauha, Dhatri Rasayana, and Triphala (where Amalaki is one of three fruits)
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Biochemical Information
Amalaki contains numerous bioactive compounds including vitamin C (600 mg/100 gm), tannins, alkaloids, polyphenols, gallic acid, ellagic acid, emblicanin A & B, phyllembein, quercetin, ascorbic acid, pectin, amino acids, and minerals. The fruit also contains phyllemblin, phyllemblic acid, emblicol, hydroxymethyl furfural, putranjivan A, punigluconin, and pendunculagin.
The leaves contain gallic acid, ellagic acid, chebulic acid, chebulagic acid, chebulinic acid, gallotannins called amlic acid, alkaloids phyllatidine and phyllantine. Seeds contain various fatty acids including linolenic acid (8.78%), linoleic acid (44.0%), oleic acid (28.40%), and others. The bark contains leucodelphinidin, procyanidine, tannin, and ellagic acid.
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Uses
In traditional Ayurvedic medicine, Amalaki is used to treat diabetes, cough, asthma, bronchitis, headache, ophthalmic disorders, dyspepsia, colic, flatulence, hyperacidity, peptic ulcer, erysipelas, skin diseases, leprosy, haematemesis, inflammations, anaemia, emaciation, hepatic disorders, jaundice, strangury, diarrhoea, dysentery, intrinsic haemorrhages, leucorrhoea, menorrhagia, cardiac disorders, intermittent fevers and greyness of hair.
Modern research has confirmed its effectiveness for:
- Abnormal cholesterol levels and persistent heartburn (clinically proven)
- Blood sugar regulation in diabetes
- Liver protection against various toxins
- Cancer prevention and treatment support
- Immune system enhancement
- Eye health and vision protection
- Digestive disorders and gastric ulcers
- Anti-aging and cellular protection
- Cardiovascular health
- Respiratory conditions
Formulas or Dosages
Traditional Ayurvedic Doses:
- Swaras (fresh juice): 10-20 ml
- Churna (powder): 3-6 gm
Modern Research Dosages:
- For abnormal cholesterol: 500 mg extract twice daily for 12 weeks
- For persistent heartburn: 500 mg extract twice daily for 4 weeks
- General supplementation: 500-1000 mg daily for 4-12 weeks
- Maximum studied doses: up to 1,000 mg daily for up to 6 months, 1,500 mg daily for up to 2 months, and 2,000 mg daily for up to 1 month
Nutrient Content
Amalaki fruit pulp contains:
- Carbohydrate: 14.1%
- Protein: 0.5%
- Fat: 0.1%
- Fibres: 3.4%
- Mineral matter: 0.7%
- Calcium: 0.05%
- Phosphorus: 0.02%
- Iron: 1.2 mg/100 gm
- Vitamin C: 600 mg/100 gm (extremely high content)
- Nicotinic acid: 0.2 mg/100 gm
Vitamin C in Amalaki accounts for approximately 45-70% of its antioxidant activity, making it one of the richest natural sources of this vitamin.
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How Sold
Amalaki is available as powder, capsules, extracts, tinctures, tablets, fresh fruit juice, and as a component in Triphala formulations. Topical products containing Amalaki are also available. It can be found online or in stores that sell supplements, often in 500-mg capsule form.
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Warning
Amalaki is generally safe when consumed as food, but certain precautions should be observed:
Gastrointestinal Effects: Being rich in fiber, Amalaki may cause bloating, stomachache, and diarrhea in some people when fiber intake is suddenly increased.
Blood Sugar Effects: Amalaki may lower blood sugar levels and could increase the blood sugar-lowering effects of diabetes medications. Monitor blood sugar closely when used with antidiabetic drugs.
Bleeding Risk: Amalaki might increase the risk of bleeding or bruising and should be used with caution in people with bleeding disorders. Stop taking Amalaki at least 2 weeks before scheduled surgery.
Drug Interactions: Due to its high vitamin C content, Amalaki can interact with certain medications including acetaminophen, amphetamines, antacids containing aluminum, barbiturates, chemotherapy drugs, hormonal contraceptives, and protease inhibitors. It may also interact with blood-thinning medications like aspirin and clopidogrel.
Pregnancy and Nursing: There isn’t enough reliable information about safety during pregnancy or breast-feeding. It’s recommended to stick to food amounts during these periods.
Always consult with a healthcare provider before taking Amalaki as a supplement, especially if you have any health conditions or take medications.
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Resource Links
WebMD – Indian Gooseberry – Uses, Side Effects, and More
ResearchGate – Amalaki (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.): A review on its therapeutic properties
VerywellHealth – The Health Benefits of Amalaki Powder
