The Benefits of Amalaki (Amla)
The Benefits of Amalaki (Amla)
Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), also known as amla, is a potent rejuvenating herbal adaptogen, renowned for its impressive list of health benefits and all-encompassing support.
Offering a high concentration of natural antioxidants and vitamin C, amalaki is a powerful ally for strengthening the immune system, nourishing the tissues, and gently removing toxins.
Amalaki is the Sanskrit name for the Indian gooseberry tree (Emblica officinalis or Phyllanthus emblica) that grows throughout India and bears small, sour-tasting fruits.3
Other Sanskrit nicknames for amalaki—names meaning “mother,” “nurse,” and “immortality”—are a testament to the power of this medicinal plant and the healing capacity of its fruits
Beyond its antioxidant activity, the polyphenol content, especially tannins, a key group of phenolic compounds found in amla fruits, further contributes to amalaki's effectiveness in supporting a healthy digestive tract and the body's natural cleansing process.11
Amla is also an excellent source of vitamin A and vitamin E, as well as iron, calcium, and dietary fiber.12
Amalaki or Amla Benefits and Uses
Here are some of the remarkable ways amalaki benefits the body:
- Fosters a healthy immune system: Highly nourishing and rejuvenating to the tissues, amalaki supports robust health in the entire physiology. It cultivates youthfulness, bolsters a healthy immune system, and promotes overall health and well-being.14
- Enhances digestive health: Amalaki’s potent sour taste is known to activate and support digestion, helping the body to easily digest, absorb, and assimilate nutrients. It also cleanses and protects the liver, which plays a critical role in transforming food into physiologically useful nourishment.15
- Promotes proper elimination: Thanks to its high antioxidant content and cleansing nature, amalaki supports natural detoxification in the GI tract and throughout the body. It also soothes, tones, and rejuvenates the bowels, supporting proper and regular elimination of toxins.16
- Maintains healthy blood sugar levels: Amalaki’s ability to stimulate microcirculation and cleanse the blood help to promote healthy blood sugar levels already in the normal range. It also has an affinity for the urinary tract and the healthy excretion of urine, which goes hand in hand with balanced blood sugar levels.17
- Strengthens the bones, teeth, and nails: Its tonifying and rejuvenating properties help strengthen the entire body, but it is known to have a special affinity for building strong and healthy bones, teeth, and nails.
- Fosters thick, healthy hair: Amla is revered for its ability to nourish and rejuvenate the health of the hair, leading to full, lustrous, shining locks—especially when it is used in a hair oil.
- Nourishes the heart and respiratory system: Amalaki helps promote healthy circulation, tonify the muscle of the heart, and support the health of the lungs.
A s it clears and detoxifies the system, amalaki is known as a rasayana herb, renowned for its deeply rejuvenating and nourishing properties throughout the body. This makes it a powerful contributor to the formation of ojas, the body’s essential reserve of immunity and youthfulness.20
Modern Research on Amalaki
There has been significant scientific research evaluating the benefits of amalaki, both on its own and as an ingredient in chyavanprash and triphala. Below are a few recent studies that summarize some of these findings:
- “Clinical Evaluation of Emblica Officinalis Gatertn (Amla) in Healthy Human Subjects: Health Benefits and Safety Results from a Randomized, Double-blind, Crossover Placebo-controlled Study.” PubMed Abstract. 2019.22
- “Exploring the Multifaceted Neuroprotective Actions of Emblica officinalis (Amla).” PubMed Abstract. 2019.23
- “Emblica officinalis (Amla): A Review for its Phytochemistry, Ethnomedicinal Uses and Medicinal Potentials.” PubMed Abstract. 2016.24
- “Chyawanprash: A Traditional Indian Bioactive Health Supplement.” PubMed Abstract. 2019.25
- “Therapeutic Uses of Triphala in Ayurvedic Medicine.” PubMed Abstract. 2017.26
