AMLA

Amla (Indian gooseberry) is a medium sized plant that grows not more than 18 meters in height. The trunk is slightly curved and the branches are scattered around. The bark of the Amla plant is gray with hard reddish wood. It has a yellowish green or pinkish color flower and the fruit is pale yellow in color, round in shape and has six vertical stripes. A ripened Amla fruit is hard and weighs approximately between 60 and 70 grams. The leaves are lighter in weight, linear and long in shape and smells like lemon.

Amla is beneficial for treating:

(a) Skin Disorder:  due to its cooling effect (sheet virya) it reduces pitta and thus helps in getting relief from all the skin disorders. Amla juice or powder with honey purifies blood.

(b)  Hair Disorder: Amla strengthens roots of hair preventing hair fall and encouraging growth. It maintains the color delaying graying of the hair.

(c)  Lower Immunity: Amla is rich in antibacterial qualities; it helps the body fight better against infection and also builds up your immunity, which makes you more resistant to diseases like chronic cough, cold, fever, tuberculosis and also asthma.

(d)  Liver Disorder: Amla cures liver disorder as Amla juice is excellent liver tonic.

(e) Heart Disorder: Amla strengthens heart muscles. It lowers cholesterol level, purifies blood and increases Hemoglobin by increasing red blood cell production.

(f) Obesity: Amla also helps boost protein metabolism. As amla enhances metabolism, it helps you lose weight faster.

(g) Diabetes: Amla stimulate the isolated group of cells that secrete the hormone insulin reducing the blood sugar level. Amla Juice can be taken with a pinch of turmeric twice a day before each meal to keeps cholesterol and blood sugar level low.

BY YASH RAJ PATEL

MSc 1^st SEM

INSTITUTE OF FOOD TECHNOLOGY