Amla

  • Botanical Name: Emblica officinalis.
  • Family: Euphorbiaceae
  • Synonyms: Amalaki, Dhatri, Vayastha, Amlika, Amalaka
  • Vernacular Name: Commonly known as “Amla” in Hindi, “Indian Gooseberry” in
    English, and “Nellikai” in Tamil.
  • Classification: A deciduous tree belonging to the Phyllanthaceae family.
  • Habitat: Native to tropical and subtropical regions of India and Southeast Asia. It thrives
    in well-drained soils and is often found in forests and cultivated lands.
  • Morphology: A small-to-medium-sized tree, 8–18 meters tall, with smooth, grey-brown
    bark. The leaves are small, simple, and closely set along the branchlets, resembling pinnate
    leaves. The flowers are greenish-yellow, and the fruits are nearly spherical, light greenish
    yellow, with six vertical stripes.
  • Useful Parts: Fruits, leaves, seeds, bark, and roots.
  • Chemical Composition: Rich in vitamin C, tannins (emblicanin A and B), gallic acid,
    ellagic acid, flavonoids, and polyphenols. It also contains minerals like calcium, phosphorus,
    and iron.
  • Pharmacological Action: Known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory,
    immunomodulatory, hepatoprotective, and rejuvenative properties. It is used in treating
    digestive disorders, respiratory issues, and skin diseases, and as a general health tonic.
  • Formulation: Used in Ayurvedic preparations like Triphala Churna, Chyawanprash,
    Amalaki Rasayana, and Amla juice.
    Rasa: Pancharas (Lavanrahit)
    Guna: Guru, Ruksha, Sheeta
    Virya: Sheeta
    Vipaka: Madhura