Herbs for Vitality – #Amla Fruit... Amla Fruit (Emblica officinalis) Amla fruti was a new herb for me when I started researching adaptogens. It is also known as the Indian gooseberry. It’s native to India, Myanmar, Southern China, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka. It is very commonly cultivated in India in areas where the elevation is below 3,000 feet. Amla is harvested by hand in autumn and the berries have a greenish yellow hue (see image at the top of this post). Amla has long been used for a variety of health benefits in a variety of traditional cultures and was consider sacred to the Hindu goddess Lakshmi. It is a staple in traditional Ayurvedic medicine and the herb is used alone and in conjunction with other herbs. Amla’s taste/energy is sour, sweet, cool, and dry. For each herb that I am featuring in this series, I tasted it on its own, just out of curiosity. This plant was definitely sour, but when added to my adaptogenic herbal tea blends, it blends in nicely. The fruit is typically what is used of this plant. It is rich in antioxidant polyphenols, as well has large amounts of vitamin C. In modern Hindu practice, this plant is sacred and regular use is believed to prolong life, prevent memory loss, and prolong life, prevent memory loss, and promote youthfulness. Other traditional uses included helping restore appetite, relieve nausea and stop vomiting, as well as cure liver dysfunction. Today, amla is still a very commonly used herb in alternative medicine. There are hundreds of claimed uses and benefits of this one plant. Are they all true? Who knows, but some of the most common health benefits may be: * Preventing and/or treating connective tissue disorders (like rheumatoid arthritis) * Preventing and/or treating autoimmune disorders * Nourishing the eyes, including age-related and diabetes-related eye problems * Nourish and strengthen capillary health * Prevent tooth decay * Speed up the healing of broken bones * Improves strength of hair and nails * Protects against radiation damage * Supports healthy blood sugar levels * Aids in liver detoxification * Protects against carcinogen damage * Supports healthy blood sugar levels * Aids in liver detoxification * Protects against carcinogen damage * Protects against certain toxins * Lower LDL cholesterol levels (based on a study in 1988) * Enhances digestion * Enhances immune function (based on animal studies) * Supports adrenal health How is Amla Fruit Used? Amla is high in tannins, which can interfere with mineral absorption, as well as affect certain prescritption medications, but overall, it is considered a very safe herb. If you are pregnant or lactating, it is advised that you consult with a trained herbalist before using. It is recommended to avoid this herb in cases of diarrhea and dysentery. In traditional Indian medicine, both the dried and fresh fruits are used, and in some schools of Ayurveda, the entire tree is used. The dried fruit is very high in vitamin C, which is critical for adrenal health. The most common uses of amla are: - Tinctures - Decoctions I chose to experiment with amla for a few reasons. The primary reason was the high vitamin C content and adrenal supporting abilities, but also for the suggested ability of this fruit to help with autoimmune diseases. I personally have been using amla in my adaptogenic tea blends and it blends nicely with other herbs. As with all of the adaptogens, I have not noticed any specific effects due to this one single herb, but I am happy that it is helping me get some additional vitamin C into my diet, which is a nutrient that anyone with adrenal problems needs a lot of. Since it is a very safe herb, I will be using it regularly in my teas and may try tincturing some to experiment with as well. DISCLAIMER: Due to the FDA and FTC laws on health claims, I need to make this very clear. None of the information in this post is to be construed as medical advice. I am not a doctor or certified medical practitioner of any sort. I am simply sharing my own personal experiences, as I travel the long road to optimal health. Statements/products discussed have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease or illness. Every person is different and you should always consult your own certified health care practitioner before making changes to your current diet or before beginning any herbal or vitamin supplement regimen or exercise program. #AmalaFruit #Adatogens #HerbsforVitality #IndianGooseberry #ILoveHerbs #ActiveHealthyLifestyle
Posted on: Sun, 21 Dec 2014 14:42:36 +0000