Top Health Benefits Of Amla (Indian Gooseberry)

Amla is the greatest boon to the humanity and one of the effective traditional herbal medicines, which had been used to treat and manage diseases since the ancient times. Hardly any people are unaware about its importance and significance as it is associated with multiple health and medicinal benefits. Indian Gooseberry is the reservoir of minerals, vitamins and other bio-chemical substances. To some extent, it is bitter in taste but the ayurvedic marvel can be used in many forms such as eaten raw, juice, chutneys, pickles, Murabbas, and used with other recipes using its powder.

Top facts about Amla

1. It is the excellent source of vitamin C.
2. Amla juice is the best tonic to make you younger longer
3. It is the integral component of Triphala, an ayurvedic formulation, which is used to cure many diseases.
4. Amla balances the three Doshas-Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
5. In India, it is considered as a sacred tree.
6. It prevents cancer due to the presence of some important polyphenols.

Amla juice precautions

1. One should take fresh amla juice prepared at home.
2. Avoid market prepared juice as it is added with flavoured and preservatives.
3. When you bring amla, wash it properly before eating.

Health Benefits of Amla (Indian Gooseberry)

From centuries, Amla is used as an active ingredient in many herbal medicines. Moreover, amla is also widely used in foods as it imparts a unique taste and flavour to it. Not just this, here are more reasons why you need to include amla in your diet without fail.

1. Delays Ageing

Amla is rich in Vitamin C, which acts as a potent antioxidant. As the dead cells get accumulated in the body, it leads to premature ageing. But antioxidants are the compounds that fight free radicals and flush toxins from the body, which lead to cell damage and thus, ageing. Hence, eating foods that are rich in antioxidants like amla can not only delay ageing but also keep you healthy.

Did you know that eating raw gooseberry a day can keep wrinkles away? To reap the anti-aging benefits it is best to have it with pepper and salt on an empty stomach in the morning.

2. Helps In Weight Loss

Amla can fight obesity and help you to lose weight. It burns cholesterol and enhances the retention of protein and nitrogen in the body thereby helping us build muscle and reduce flab. Also, the presence of fibre helps in flushing waste from the body and help control cravings. This not only fills you up but also prevents you from binging and thus, aiding in weight loss.

You can either have one whole amla in the morning to kickstart your day or drink a glass of freshly prepared amla juice mid-morning to lose weight.

3. Reduces Cholesterol

Amla prevents the accumulation of bad cholesterol in the arteries and promotes heart health. It contains the compounds which interfere with the absorption of cholesterol from foods, thus reducing the level of cholesterol in the body. It also blocks the action of the enzyme which plays a key role in the production of cholesterol. Hence, make sure you include amla in your diet to control cholesterol levels and keep your heart healthy. For this, drink half a glass of amla juice mixed with a tablespoon full of honey on an empty stomach in the morning.

4. Fights Cold And Cough

Are you suffering from cough and cold? Instead of popping pills, try amla this time! It is an excellent source of vitamin C, which makes it a great natural remedy to fight cough and cold. The anti-inflammatory properties of amla not only reduce inflammation in the body but also boost immunity, improving the condition. Moreover, the presence of antioxidants help remove toxins from the body.

To reap the benefits of gooseberry, take two medium-sized fruits, cut into pieces and grind in a mixer by adding little water. Pass it through a strainer to extract the juice. Now mix it with two tablespoons of honey and a pinch of dried ginger powder (soonth). Have this mixture four times a day to get rid of cough and cold naturally at home.

5. Prevents Constipation

Amla is a rich source of fibre which facilitates the bowel movement. It acts as a great laxative thereby helping people with constipation to get rid of it. Moreover, it also stimulates the secretion of the gastric juices and thus, improves digestion. The presence of a wide range of nutrients in amla makes it a great natural remedy for constipation.

To reap its benefits, all you have to do is to eat one small-sized fruit or drink a small glass of freshly prepared amla juice early in the morning for smooth digestion. For people struggling with constipation, add half to one teaspoon of amla powder in a  glass of lukewarm water and drink it at night for effective results.

6. Regulates Blood Sugar

Did you know that amla is good for diabetics? Yes! This fruit is packed with nutrients and is low in the glycemic index, which makes it a healthy fruit for people with diabetes. Most people think of amla juice as nothing short of an elixir for life for patients with diabetes. It not only fights free radicals in blood but also facilitates insulin absorption resulting in a reduced blood sugar level.

When taken regularly, it helps to maintain the blood glucose level, acting as a simple but effective home remedy for diabetics. Hence, it is advised that diabetics should include this seasonal fruit in the diet for a healthy life.

7. Boosts Immunity

The fruit is a rich source of Vitamin C, Vitamin B Complex and antioxidants. These nutrients not only flush harmful toxins from the body but also help in fighting the harmful free radicals. The presence of anti-inflammatory compounds in amla help in lowering the levels of inflammation in the body and thus, preventing infections. It also contains immune-boosting properties, which make it a must-to-have winter fruit to deal with seasonal infections.

So making a habit of having an amla in the morning, either in the raw or as a juice can make you less vulnerable to diseases and keep you healthy. For kids, amla in the form of murabba (amla boiled with jaggery or chywanprash) can be used as a spread over rotis or bread, might help them reap the immune-boosting properties.

8. Strengthens Bones

Want strong bones? Include amla in your diet along with other calcium-rich foods. Not only is amla rich in calcium but it also helps in the absorption of calcium and thus, strengthen bones. It is also reported that this fruit can hinder the break down of osteoclasts, the cells of the bone. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory properties of amla play a key role in reducing inflammation and thus, relieve pain and swelling in the joints and bones in people with arthritis.

To make your bones strong and healthy, snack on a handful of amla candy or raw amla cubes sprinkled with salt and pepper.

9. Cools The Body

According to Ayurveda, amla has a cooling (shita virya) effect on our body which helps in regulating the body temperature. It also acts as an effective remedy for fever as it helps boost immunity. Moreover, the cooling properties of amla also help balance pitta in the body by neutralising the stomach acids and reducing inflammation in the body. This is the reason, amla, which is a seasonal fruit, is widely used in Indian cuisine during summers and winters.

Eat it raw or drink the juice of gooseberries daily to keep you at ease during the summers and also to prevent stomach ailments.

10. Nourishes the Hair

Amla also acts as a wonderful home remedy for dandruff, hair fall and grey hair. Amla is well-known as a natural hair conditioner and its antimicrobial properties prevent and cure an infection of the scalp, thus helping you to get rid of dandruff. It can also prevent greying of hair.

To use amla for your hair, soak a couple of mashed gooseberries in a litre of water overnight. Make a fine paste in a grinder and apply it on the hair and scalp. Use the amla-soaked water to wash the hair after shampooing for instant results.

11. Digestion: It is good for digestion and assimilation of foods.

• It ensures to flush out toxins from the body, being alkaline in nature, balances and strengthening the digestion process.
• It has adequate amount of fiber and roughage that make you relieve from constipation and indigestion.

12. Asthma: Take amla juice (2tbsp) and honey (2tbsp) and drink the same on regular basis, is helpful to control asthma, bronchitis, allergic asthma, respiratory congestion, chronic cough and cold.

13. Control diabetes: The regular consumption of its juice (2-3 tbsp) daily helps to lower the level of sugar in blood thus controls diabetes. Amla stimulates the pancreas Islet of langerhans which further regulate the suitable secretion of insulin hormone.

14. Healthy heart: Regular intake of amla means you are making your heart healthy and fit.

• It lowers the level of cholesterol and strengthens the cardiac muscles thus smooth pumping of blood and oxygen to the entire body.
• The presence of chromium prevents plaque formation in the blood vessels thus save you from strokes and  cardiac problems.
• Iron content ensures more oxy-haemo circulation.
• The various bio-chemical substances present in it ensure the better functioning of heart by maintain blood pressure and preventing strokes

 15. Burns fat: Amla is good for weight loss, fat burning and those who are obese.

• It has the higher level of amino acid that helps to shed unnecessary fats from the body.
• Amla is diuretic in nature, means it increases the frequency and  amount of urine thereby releasing of toxins, waste products from the body. Since urine is also composed of  fat. Releasing more urine means shedding more  fats from the body.

16. Glowing skin: It is good for skin beauty.

• The application of Amla juice over the face helps to fight wrinkles, pimples, acne etc.
• Drinking of the juice is equally beneficial to make your skin glow. It makes your skin fresh by removing the dead cells when applied externally.