March 13, 2024

Amla, an Ayurvedic All-Rounder

Amla (Phyllanthus emblica), commonly known as Indian gooseberry, is a remarkable fruit that is revered for its all-round health-boosting properties in Ayurveda. Within the realm of Ayurveda, Amla holds an important place because it has been used to treat many different complaints.

With its roots deeply embedded in Ayurveda, Amla is acknowledged for its sour taste that transitions into a sweet aftertaste, a unique characteristic known as 'vipaka'. This intriguing transition symbolises its potent restorative properties (Ayurvedic Professionals Association UK, n.d.). Known as 'amalaki' in Sanskrit and 'dhatri' in Ayurveda, Amla's diverse names signify its nurturing properties akin to a mother or nurse (Ayurvedic Professionals Association UK, n.d.).

Health Benefits of Amla in Ayurveda

Amla, is prized in Ayurveda for an array of health benefits:

  • Reducing Gut Inflammation: Highlighted in Ayurveda for its effectiveness in reducing inflammation within the digestive tract (Ayurvedic Professionals Association UK, n.d.).
  • Liver-protective Agent: Acknowledged as a potent hepatoprotective agent, offering defence against chemical-induced carcinogenesis and oxidative stress (Ayurvedic Professionals Association UK, n.d.).
  • Versatility: Traditional medicine employs Amla for various ailments, including diarrhoea, jaundice, and inflammation (Krishnaveni & Mirunalini, 2010; Variya, Bakrania, & Patel, 2016).

Recent Clinical Study on Amla's Health Benefits

A recent clinical study (Kapoor et al., 2019) evaluated Amla's preventative benefits and safety:

  • The research found that Amla helped make the linings of blood vessels work better and lowered signs of cell damage caused by oxidative stress (Kapoor et al., 2019).
  • intake potentially increases plasma antioxidant potential, which may boost the body's ability to fight cell damage caused by oxidative stress, helping maintain a healthy balance without causing harm to the liver or kidneys in healthy people (Kapoor et al., 2019).

Sfera Amla, containing 400mg Amla extract standardised for a minimum of 10% Beta-glucogallin, stands as a testament to Ayurvedic wisdom merged with modern scientific validation. 

In the realm of holistic wellness, Amla stands tall as an Ayurvedic All-Rounder, deeply appreciated in traditional healing practices. The extensive range of health benefits attributed to Amla in Ayurveda spans from mitigating inflammation and acting as a potent liver-protective agent to addressing various ailments such as diarrhoea, jaundice, and inflammation (Krishnaveni & Mirunalini, 2010; Variya, Bakrania, & Patel, 2016).

In embracing Amla, we embrace the rich heritage of Ayurveda, unlocking the potential of this Ayurvedic All-Rounder.

References:

Ayurvedic Professionals Association UK. (n.d.). Herb of the Month: Amla. Retrieved from https://apa.uk.com/herb-of-the-month/amla

Krishnaveni, M., & Mirunalini, S. (2010). Therapeutic potential of Phyllanthus emblica (amla): the ayurvedic wonder. Journal of basic and clinical physiology and pharmacology, 21(1), 93–105. https://doi.org/10.1515/jbcpp.2010.21.1.93

Variya, B. C., Bakrania, A. K., & Patel, S. S. (2016). Emblica officinalis (Amla): A review for its phytochemistry, ethnomedicinal uses and medicinal potentials with respect to molecular mechanisms. Pharmacological research, 111, 180–200. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2016.06.013

Kapoor, M. P., Suzuki, K., Derek, T., Ozeki, M., & Okubo, T. (2019). Clinical evaluation of Emblica Officinalis Gatertn (Amla) in healthy human subjects: Health benefits and safety results from a randomized, double-blind, crossover placebo-controlled study. Contemporary clinical trials communications, 17, 100499. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conctc.2019.100499

Written by Vernon Joyce