- Region
- Asia
- Origin
- Asia (South and Southeast Asia)
- Sanskrit
- Amalik
- Other names
- Indiase kruisbes
- Traditions
- Ayurveda, Sowa Rigpa: Tibetan medicine, Unani medicine
Asia · Herb · № 349
Phyllanthus emblica
Herb · Asia
Amla
Phyllanthus emblica
Traditionally attributed effects: fresh fruit cooling, diuretic, laxative, stomachic; bark astringent; for lung and eye inflammation, hair growth, asthma, bronchitis, bile complaints, bleeding, diarrhoea, dysentery, anaemia, jaundice.
Safety notes
Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Preparation
Tea 10–15 ml; powder 3–6 g; syrup with lemon juice; in 'triphala' (with haritaki and bibhitaki); oil on the hair.
Use in traditions
Described in the Ayurvedic materia medica and Ayurveda in the kitchen and daily care. Sanskrit name: Amalik. Amla is one of the three fruits of triphala, the best-known Ayurvedic prescription, and the main ingredient of chyawanprash. The sour fruit is very rich in vitamin C and is pickled, dried and used in hair oil. In Tibetan medicine it is called skyu ru ra.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Ayurvedic materia medica
Attributed effects
Fresh fruit cooling, diuretic, laxative, stomachic; bark astringent; for lung and eye inflammation, hair growth, asthma, bronchitis, bile complaints, bleeding, diarrhoea, dysentery, anaemia, jaundice; triphala as a laxative and for headache and haemorrhoids.
Preparation and amount
Tea 10–15 ml; powder 3–6 g; syrup with lemon juice; in 'triphala' (with haritaki and bibhitaki); oil on the hair.
Everyday Ayurveda
Attributed effects
Good for skin and hair, promotes circulation in the scalp and reduces stress.
Preparation and amount
Powder in shampoo paste (with shikakai, ritha, triphala or brahmi, bhringraj, hibiscus), 10–15 min on the scalp; mix into hair oil; ½ tsp in marigold mask for oily skin; eat the fruit.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)Herbal oil (oil infusion)Syrup, honey and oxymelPowder and kitchen