Amla Herb-Uses and Benefits
Amla also know as amalaki, dhatriphala and in Sanskrit and Emblica officinalis scientifically, is the most widely used herb in the ayurvedic system of medicine. it maintains balance amongst three Doshas of wind, bile and phelgm (Vayu, Pitta and Cough) and effectively controls digestive problems, strengthens heart, builds up and sustains defence mechanism, improves eye sight, imparts a anatural glow to hair and body and a store house of Vitamin C.
The English name of amla: Indian gooseberry, denotes that it is indigenous to India.
Though all parts of the tree have medicinal value, it is the fruit which constitutes the main drug.Charaka has specifically mentioned it as a great rasayana that helps protect people from disease and keeps away the manifestations of premature ageing.
Pharmacological Properties of Amla
Amla is a proven antioxidant, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-mutagenic, yeast inhibiting, nematicidal, anabolic, anti-hepatoxic, anti-hyperhidrosis, anti-inflammatory, anti-histaminic, anti-spasmodic, hypolipidemic, and hypotensive relieving properties. According to ayurvedic doctors, Amla has the ability to make our live more then 100 years like a youth.
Amla-health benefits
Digestive system
- due to presence of five rasa it finds it s application in decreased appetite, indigestion, acidity, constipation, gastric troubles, and flatulence. It also helps in restoring mouth taste and promotes salivation.Amla also strengthens the teeth. It is helpful in improving liver function. Good results have also been seen in gastric ulcers, as it is sheet virya in potency. It is also beneficial in piles.
Circulatory system
- it has a good effect on circulatory system and is of great importance to heart. Amla keeps check on all the toxins in the body circulating in blood; moreover it also checks the plaque formation in arteries, as it possesses tickt rasa. It helps in lowering cholesterol and blood sugar level. It helps in producing good quality red blood cells.
Respiratory system
- Amla is very helpful in countering kapha, hence very helpful in throwing out sputum from the respiratory tract. It gives very good results in chronic cough, child hood and allergic asthma and tuberculosis.
Nervous system
- As it also helps in suppressing vata dosha therefore, it is extremely helpful in providing nourishment to the nerves and is helpful in paralytic conditions. Amla also works as brain tonic and helps to grasp thing easily. It makes our sense organs work well and makes our reflexes sharp It is also helpful in marinating calmness in mind and suppresses mental tensions and stress. It also improves general intelligence level of a person.
Reproductive system
- It helps in improving quality of sperms due to its madhur (sweet) vipaka property. Amla is also helpful in curbing discharges from vagina and is responsible for toning and providing strength to the female genital tract.
Excretory system
- it is helpful in condition s like Dysurea (painful urination).
Skin
- it is very helpful in skin diseases as it has sheet virya in potency. It inhibits pitta and thus helps in getting relief from it. All the skin disorders are caused by pitta dominance. Regular use of Amla promotes glow on skin and delays wrinkles or loosening of skin. Good results have been found in eczema.
Hairs
- its internal use as well as its local application on scalp gives good results in hair loss. Amla stimulates hair follicles thus promoting hair growth and also improves texture of the hair. It also prevents premature graying of hairs and dandruff. Indian women generally use Amla to wash their hairs, which act as natural hair conditioner.
It acts as anti pyretic agent due to sheet virya potency. It also acts as anti-inflammatory agent thereby suppresses pain and swelling.
Eyes
- It finds great application in improving eyesight. Amla also counters diseases like reddening, itching and watering of eyes. Good results have also been seen in cataracts.
General
–As it comes under the category of rasayan, hence works as anti aging agent. It also improves general health weakness. It keeps tridoshas i.e. vata pitta and kapha in balance there by marinating equilibrium in body. Amla also makes our body’s immune system strong therefore help to fight diseases.
