Its antioxidant helps boost immunity, enhance skin health, and improve digestion. Amla also supports liver function and is known to promote healthy hair. Adding amla into our diet can provide a substantial health boost.
Composition: The formulation is a fine powder made of single herbal ingredient Amalaki. English name Indian gooseberry Latin name Phyllanthus emblica (Linn.) Family Phyllanthaceae Plant part used Fruit.
The formulation is made from the dried mature fruits of Amalaki, which is a small or medium-sized tree found abundantly in mixed deciduous forests and cultivated in gardens and home yards. Ripe fruits are collected in late winter or early summer and are dried in shade. Dried fruits are then separated from the seeds and are kept in airtight plastic bags or boxes under dry storage conditions. Extensive uses of Amalaki as medicine and tonic are described in Indian Medicine and the medicinal plant is included in the Ayurvedic Pharamacopoeia of India.
Method of preparation
(1) Seedless dried fruits of Amalaki are cleaned and ground into fine powder using a grinder or pulverizer.
(2) Powder is sieved through mesh 80 to remove coarse particles and fibers.
(3) The powder should be kept in a dry airtight container to prevent exposure to moisture.
(4) Potency of the properly preserved dried fruits lasts for one year.
Dosage form: Fine, sour-tasting grayish to blackish powder
Dose and mode of administration In adults, the dose of Amalaki powder is 3 to 6 grams and in children 500 mg to 1 gram, twice a day, to be swallowed on an empty stomach or just before meals with water.
Do and Dont
(1) It is advisable not to overeat and have long gaps between meals. Small frequent meals of soft and easily digestible food items should be taken.
(2) Consumption of raw and leafy vegetables, fried, spicy, sour, salty, heavy and improperly cooked food, sheep’s milk, alcohol, curd, sesame seeds should be avoided.
(3) Use of vegetables with bitter taste such as bitter gourd, banana flowers, and pumpkin, pomegranate, honey, boiled and cooled water and food grains like wheat, rice and barley is beneficial in patients with acidity and gastritis.
(4) Suppression of natural urges, particularly of vomiting and passing stools should be avoided.
Precautions and safety aspects
(1) Amalaki powder is generally a safe medicine. No toxic or adverse effects are reported even with continuous use. Assay study for cellular toxicity of crude alcoholic extract of Amalaki has proved it safe. Safety of Emblica officinalis is attributed to its anti-mutagenic, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic, anti-oxidant, anti-tumour and immuno-modulatory activities and numerous indications for its use in children and pregnant women. It is also safe to the baby if the nursing mother is taking this medication.
(2) Individuals sensitive to sour taste should add sugar to the formulation or consume it in capsule form. Mixing it in warm water or with sugar or honey makes ingestion of Amalaki powder easy.
(3) Amalaki has a cooling property and hence individuals intolerant to cold should consume it with ginger powder and warm water or honey. Even then if symptoms worsen, medication with Amalaki powder may be stopped.
(4) It is advisable for patients of acidity and gastritis to avoid the intake of spicy, hard, heavy, dry and raw foods, particularly leafy vegetables and salad. Tendency of overeating and frequent munching and use of alcoholic beverages should be avoided.