Health Benefits of Indian Gooseberry / Amla

Indian Gooseberry- A Wonder Fruit

Indian Gooseberry is a  round fruit obtained from  a deciduous tree,  that is widely found in South Asia.  Popularly known as  Amla  in India. The fruit is  pale green or light yellow  in color with vertical stripes. Inside is a hard seed. It has a mixture of 5 tastes ranging from  bitter, sour, sweet, pungent and astringent.  On eating, first you will witness it’s sour taste they slowly on chewing you will feel the other 4 tastes in this fruit.  This fruit is an important ingredient  in Ayurveda and Unani medicines. It has superb antioxidant content.  Besides having health benefits it is also used for culinary purposes. One can enjoy jam, candies, pickles, chutneys or murabas made from this fruit. Read below to know more about this fruit.

cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo shared by Ramnath Bhat 

Nutrition Content in Indian Gooseberry

What is is so remarkable in this fruit is it has a great Vitamin C content. One gets around 600 mg of vitamin C in fresh 100 gm fruit. 100 g of dehydrated Indian Gooseberry provides 2428 – 3470 mg of this vitamin. This vitamin C content is far greater than what you derive from oranges, in fact it is 20 times greater in content.  Other vitamins and minerals content derived are calcium, phosphorous, niacin, riboflavin , thiamine etc. Check below to know in detail nutrient content derived from 100 grams of Indian Gooseberry .

• Vitamin C – 600 mg
• Iron- 1.2 mg
• Protein- 0.50 g
• Ash- 0.5o g
• Energy- 58 Kcal
• Potassium- 225 mg
• Phosphorous – 20mg
• Niacin- 0.18 mg
• Riboflavin – 0.05 mg
• Thiamine-0.03 mg
• Calcium- 50 mg
• Phosphorous- 26 mg
• Sodium- 5 mg
• Zinc- 0.50 mg
• Carotene- 9 mg
• Carbohydrate – 13.7 g
• Water Content- 82.2 g
• Total Fat- 0.5 g
• Fiber- 3.4 g
• Tryptophan  – 3 mg
• Methionine  –  2 mg
• Lysine – 17 mg

Health Benefits of Indian Gooseberry / Amla

This fruit is a powerhouse of vitamin C. Among all foods it has the richest source of this vitamin. Mostly known for it’s antioxidant ability. Ayurveda medicines use this berry in various medicine preparations. Sound health and long life are the results on using this gooseberry.  Here are the following health benefits derived from Indian Gooseberry:

1) Eye Health : Need a sound eye health ? This magical fruit- Indian Gooseberry is your answer. Indian Gooseberry maintains your eyesight. If you have a eye number and want to get  rid of  eye glasses, then you need to drink  20 ml of amla juice  mixed with 1 cup of water in the morning . This will improve your eyesight. Amla also helps in the treatment of  eye problems- conjunctivitis and  glaucoma. For these ailments a mixture of   10 ml honey and  10 ml amla juice  taken twice a day will help you. Other problems like itching , watering of eyes,  and reddening will also improve on amla juice intake.

2) Boosts Immunity: Eating Indian gooseberry as candy, murabha, powder or drinking it’s juice will boost body’s immunity. It is vitamin C  content in amla that enhances the immunity. Vitamin C rich diet cures and prevents infections. According to  Ayurveda medical research Indian gooseberry reduces the imbalance of 3 biological dosha-Vata, Pitta and Kapha in other words 3 elements of our body – air, fire and earth. When there is an imbalance in these 3 dosha it leads to diseases.

3) Beneficial for Diabetics: Indian Gooseberry is a low sugar and high fiber fruit. This makes it an ideal eating choice for diabetics. This berry helps in the stimulation the production of insulin. Insulin controls high blood sugar levels. Other benefits arising to diabetics is due to amla’s chromium content. This mineral plays the role in blood sugar and carbohydrate  metabolism. Serum blood glucose levels are decreased. It  helps insulin in facilitating the transport of glucose into the cells leading to better glucose tolerance levels.  Drink daily for 2 months  a mixture of 15 ml of Indian gooseberry juice and 1 cup of bitter gourd juice. This juice will stimulate pancreas to produce insulin and thus controlling blood sugar levels. Another recipe is 1/2 teaspoon of amla powder mixed with 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric eaten daily will help in stimulating the production  of insulin.

4) Lowers Bad Cholesterol LDL levels : Consuming of this fruit increases good cholesterol HDL levels and at the same time decrease LDL cholesterol Levels. Research conducted on rabbits who were administered amla diet  daily for 60 days showed a reduction of 66% and 90% in Triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels respectively.

5) Good for Digestive Health : Your digestive system will work more efficiently on eating this fruit. Amla provides protection against gastric ulcers and peptic ulcers. It prevents as well as treats these ulcers, dyspepsia and hyperacidity. One gets relief from heart burn.  Drinking a teaspoon of amla powder mixed in cup of water  is a good treatment for acidity related problems. Other benefit amla eating improves our body absorption of  nutrients from food .

6) Prevents and Cures Constipation problems : High fiber content in Indian Gooseberry  makes this fruit a natural laxative. It regulates the bowel movement.  Thus keep the intestinal track clean. Drinking amla juice is an effective cure for chronic constipation. Drinking a mixture of  teaspoon of amla powder mixed in a cup of lukewarm water in morning will cure your constipation problems.

7) Beneficial for liver: Indian Gooseberry promotes liver health. It detoxifies liver.  This fruit  also removes toxins for the body, cleans the blood from impurities and thus strengthening the liver. Liver problems like enlarged liver are also cured from eating this fruit.

8) Benefits to arthritis patients:  On eating Indian Gooseberry, there is reduction of inflammation and edema in arthritis patients. This is due to anti-inflammation properties of this fruit. Eat 2 times daily for 1 month –  1 teaspoon of amla powder mixed with 2 teaspoons of jaggery. This will cure rheumatism.

9) Enhances Fertility: This fruit is beneficial for both men and women as it supports the body’s reproductive system. For men it increases the sperm quality and quantity. For women amla eating strengthens uterus, enhances ovulation, keeps menstruation cycle regular and healthy.

10)Eliminates Body Toxins : Amla removes accumulated toxins in our body. This fruit is one of the best detoxifier.  It purifies blood of impurities. Removes toxins from liver. Ensures good bowel movement and curing constipation. When body is removed of these toxins one feels light , refreshed and there is least chances of acquiring diseases. You can eat amla in natural form, or  eat amla powder or drink it’s juice.

11) Hair Benefits : Indian Gooseberry is useful in  treating hair inflictions. It helps in following ways

• Prevents hair fall – Antioxidant rich amla strengthens the hair. Application of amla shampoo makes collagen resilient against pollution of any sort  plus making your hair follicles strong. Messaging your scalp with amla oil will strengthen your hair follicles. Another recipe to prevent hair fall is – mix 2 teaspoon of amla juice with 2 teaspoon of lime juice. Apply this liquid on your scalp and let it dry. After it is dried rinse your scalp with water.
• Prevents premature hair graying : This fruit will prevent as well as treat premature hair graying. There are various ways to use amla to achieve this benefit. One way is make a  mixture of 1 teaspoon of amla juice + 1 teaspoon of almond oil + 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice. Every night  message your scalp with this mixture. This will prevent and treat your premature grey hair. Second method is dry amla in shade, then boil these dried amla’s in coconut oil till the liquid chars into black color. Now use this oil to message your scalp to prevent this problem. Third way is to use a mixture of amla powder and lemon juice for applying on your scalp .
• Cures Dandruff: Amla has anti-dandruff qualities. Apply a mixture of amla powder and water on your scalp and leave it for 1/2 hour. Then wash it with water. Other ways to use amla for this benefit is use a 1) mixture of amla powder+ 2 teapoons of lemon juice + water on your scalp for half hour and then wash it with water , 2) mixture of amla powder+ grinded 10 basil leaves  + water on your scalp for half hour and then wash it with water  or instead of amla powder you can use grinded mixture of fresh amla and 10 basil leaves.
• Treats Baldness: Indian gooseberry treats hair loss. Here are various recipes for using amla in this problem 1) Boil dried amla in coconut oil till it chars. On cooling , apply this liquid on your scalp for 15-25 minutes and then wash it with water. 2) A mixture of amla juice and lemon juice applied on your head like a shampoo will promote hair growth. 3) A mixture of amla powder and lemon juice applied on scalp for 15-20 minutes and wash with water

13) Heart Benefits : Indian Gooseberry is a heart healthy food. Amla reduces the bad cholesterol levels and increases good cholesterol HDL levels. This fruit also prevents blood from sticking to the lining of blood vessels and thus preventing thickening of artery walls. Vitamin C present in  amla strengthens blood vessels and thus help in preventing atherosclerosis. Vitamin C also improves in Vasodilation( the widening of  blood vessels). When blood vessels are widened they help in smooth flow of blood in heart. Thus preventing heart disease. Other benefits of Vitamin C rich amla is it reduces the damaging effects of cell oxidation and lower high blood pressure levels. As we know cell oxdation promotes the formation of plague.

12) Enhances Skin Beauty: Amla does wonders for skin health. This fruit is a good skin tonic. Read the following benefits to give you one more reason to include it in your food

• To enhance fair complexion : If you thinking as to how you can make your skin fair then your your search ends here. A face pack made of amla juice and honey will help you in achieving fair complexion and adds glow to the skin. At the same time drink amla juice regularly.  It is vitamin C found in good levels in amla that achieves this result . Vitamin C increases the levels of Glutathione- a tripeptide. Glutathione prevents melanin from making more color pigmentation leading to a fair skin.
• Treats hyper pigmentation : Vitamin C nutrient in amla is responsible for treating and preventing hyper pigmentation. Apply amla juice on your face to treat  pigmentation problems. When dried wash it with water. Drinking  in the morning  a mixture of 10 ml amla juice + 10ml aloe vera juice + 200ml luke warm water will help you get rid of hyper pigmentation problems.
• Anti-aging benefits: Amla being rich in antioxidant vitamin C provides anti-aging benefits. It keeps the skin youthful.  By removing free radicals from body amla prevents wrinkle formation and other age relates skin blemishes.
• Pimples and acne problems are prevented as well as cured: Amla purifies blood and is  antibacterial  in nature. This quality kills the harmful bacteria  responsible for these problems. Applying a paste made of amla powder and water on acne and pimples for 10-15 minutes will cure it. Other mixtures that are helpful  are 1) a combination of amla powder+ lemon juice+ turmeric powder when applied on face will cure acne. 2) applying a facial mask made of amla powder + rose water for curing pimple.   Drinking of amla juice will make the skin clear and beautiful.
• Psoriasis skin disorders are treated : Amla enhances the body immunity . Free radicals are removed from the body and thus rejuvenating the skin. All this leads to cure this problem.
• Skin cleanser : Apply a mixture of amla powder , warm water and few drops of olive on the face for few minutes and then wash it with water water . This will remove dirt, dead skin and tones the skin.
• Reduces pore size : Amla is astringent in nature . So applying amla juice on the skin will reduce the pore size

14) Keeps Lungs Healthy

15) Cancer Protective : Eating amla or drinking amla juice will provide cancer protection as well as inhibit cancer cell growth. Amla reduces the harmful side effects associated with anti-cancer treatment like chemo and radiation.

16) Effective against Respiratory problems : Cold, cough,asthma,  bronchitis and tuberculosis  problems are cured by this Indian berry. Drink 2 times a day a mixture of 20ml of amla juice mixed and 1o ml of honey. This will give relief and remove chronic cough problems.

Disclaimer
The information provided in this article is for educative purpose only. Consult you doctor or professional medical advice before using any information in this article for any health program.