Botanical Name
Phyllanthus emblica L.
Family
Phyllanthaceae/Euphorbiaceae
Synonyms
Emblica officinalis Gaertn. , Phyllanthus glomeratus Roxb.
Regional Name
English : Emblic Myrobalan, Hindi: Amla, Aonla, Sanskrit: Dhatriphala, Amrtaphala, Amalaka, Bengali : Amla, Dhatri, Gujrati : Ambala, Amala, Punjabi : Aula, Amla, Assamese : Amlakhi, Amlakhu, Amlaku, Kannada : Nellikayi, Bela nelli, pottadenollikayi, Kashmiri : Amli, Embali, Malayalam : Nellikka, Marathi : Anvala, Avalkathi, Oriya : Ainla, Anala, Tamil : Nellikkai, nelli, Telugu : Usirika, Urdu : Amla, Amlaj.
Part Used
Fruit & Seeds
Description
Amla tree is native to tropical south eastern Asia, particularly in central and southern India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ceylon, Malaya, southern China and the Mascarene Islands. It is commonly cultivated in home gardens throughout India and grown commercially in Uttar Pradesh, an altitude of 5,000 ft (1,800 m). The plant is small to medium sized tree, reaching up to 18 m in height, with crooked trunk and spreading branches. The flowers are greenish-yellow. The fruit is nearly spherical, round in shape having ½-1 inch diameter, light greenish yellow colour, quite smooth and hard on appearance. The taste of Indian gooseberry is sour, bitter and astringent, and is quite fibrous.
Phytoconstituents
Amla is the richest known source of vitamin 'C'. The fruit contains Ascorbic acid and tannins. It contains Gallic acid, tannic acid, albumin, cellulose and other minerals. It contains moisture 81.2 %, proteins 0.5%, fats 0.1 %, carbohydrates 14.1 %, calcium 0.05 %, phosphorus 0.02 %, iron 1.2 mg and nicotinic acid 0.2 mg per 100 gram. A seed contains the stable oil which is 16 %. Main active constituents of amla, emblicanin A&B, Puniglucanin, Pedunculagin, 2-keto- gluconolactone (Vitamin-C equivalents). Ellagic acid, Hexahydroxy-diphenic acid and conjugates.
Ayurvedic Properties
Rasa: Amla, Katu, Tikta, Madhura, Kasaya, Virya : Sita, Guna: Laghu, Ruksa Karma: Rasayana, Caksusya, Vrsya , Vipaka : Madhura
Ayurvedic Applications
Amlapitta, Raktapitta, Prameha, Daha Medicinal Uses:– It is used as anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, hepatoprotective, and anticancer drugs. It exhibits strong antioxidant activity. It is aperient, carminative, diuretic, aphrodasiac, laxative and astringent. It is useful in anaemia, jaundice, dyspepcia, haemorrhage disorders, diabetes, asthma and bronchitis. It cures insomnia and is healthy for hair. It is considered as one of the most rejuvenating drugs. It also acts as an antacid and antitumorganic agent.
Medicinal Uses
It is used in inflammation, ulcer, liver diseases. It is useful in anaemia, jaundice, dyspepsia, insomnia, haemorrhage disorders, urinary disorders, diabetes, asthma and bronchitis. It is used in rejuvenation.