Amalaki, a native Indian tree, is widely cultivated in hot and arid regions of India. Its fruit is rich in vitamin C and used in nutritional supplements, while all parts of the tree are used in Ayurvedic medicine. The fruit is also used in personal care products and can lower cholesterol and control blood sugar.
Amalaki, also called amla or Indian gooseberry, is a native Indian tree that is now widely cultivated in the hottest and most arid regions of India. The fruit is a rich source of vitamin C, and is often used in nutritional supplements. In India, the berry is also used as a nutritional food additive. The juice of the amalaki fruit can also be added to hair oil.
The amalaki tree belongs to the euphorbiaceae family of plants. It is deciduous, with a greenish-grey bark that peels off in sheets. The fruits are small and green, about an inch (2.5 cm) in diameter, and contain two seeds. It grows well in poor soil and can withstand temperatures as low as 115 Fahrenheit (46 Celsius) to freezing. The commercial value of the tree has increased in cultivation in India, particularly as it can survive in soil that has been damaged by salt.
All parts of the amalaki tree have been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. It is used to reduce fevers, as a heart tonic to improve heart health, and as an aphrodisiac. In traditional medicine, the fruits are believed to cure digestive and bronchial ailments, as well as skin diseases. The leaves are used to treat diarrhea and conjunctivitis, and the roots can be used for digestive ailments and jaundice.
Other uses of the amalaki tree include tanning skins, due to its high tannic acid content, and it is still used by tanners in Indian villages. The acidic juice of the fruit makes it a useful preservative for fruits and vegetables, and it is a common ingredient in Indian cosmetic products. Amalaki Hair Oil is widely used in India to protect hair and keep it shiny and healthy. Other personal care products may also contain berry extracts, such as shampoo, conditioner, and skin creams.
Western scientists have not extensively tested the health benefits of amalaki, although early studies in rats suggest the fruit might be helpful in lowering cholesterol and controlling blood sugar. The fruits are rich in tannins and antioxidants, as well as vitamin C. Tannins are associated with lowering cholesterol and lessening heart disease, while antioxidants appear to have anti-aging and immune-boosting qualities.
Despite its nutritional benefits, amalaki is generally not used alone as a food source due to its extremely bitter taste. In the US, amalaki dietary supplements are available, usually with the powdered fruit sold in capsules. Amalaki is also blended into natural supplements that contain other ingredients to boost immunity and reduce the effects of aging.
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