Amla (Indian Gooseberry) or ‘amalaki’ is a translucent fruit with many therapeutic benefits. It’s considered to be one of the most important plants in Ayurvedic medicine and is a unique balance of sour, sweet, pungent and bitter. It’s rich in Vitamin C and also loaded with a range of polyphenols (gallic acid, ellagic acid, luteolin, corilagin etc). Polyphenols are antioxidants that prevent damage to free radicals in the body and fight different types of cancer and cardiovascular diseases.It is best to have amla juice first thing in the morning. Have a small portion (20-30 ml) diluted in a glass of water. You can choose to mix a bit of lemon juice and honey to enhance the palatability. Dr. Guatam suggests mixing amla juice with jamun (Indian blackberry) and karela juice (bitter gourd) to manage diabetes better. For those who are fighting high cholesterol levels and hair issues, amla juice in combination with aloe vera juice does wonders. Also, want better eyesight? Amla juice taken right before sleeping helps a great deal; it also helps in detoxifying the ill-effects of junk food.According to a Delhi based weight management expert, Dr. Gargi Sharma, amla juice can be taken as a powerful home remedy to treat cough and flu as well as mouth ulcers. Two teaspoon of amla juice with equal portions of honey consumed everyday can help a great deal in treating cold and cough. Mix a couple of teaspoons in water and gargle with it twice a day to get rid of mouth ulcers.One of the most effective ways to add amla to your diet is to juice it and have it diluted with water every day on an empty stomach. It clears your system, aids in digestion, helps in maintaining clear skin, healthy hair and good eyesight. Amla juice can be a tad unpalatable, but enjoys multi-fold health benefiting properties that will set your frowned faces right. It is believed that amla can help balance all the three doshas (vata/pitta/kapha) in the body and treat the underlying cause of many health problems.What makes this Desi Superfood so super:
1. Boosts hair growth: Amla is rich in iron and has antioxidants which reduce hair loss by not allowing free radicals to damage hair follicles. Amla also enhances hair growth and prevents premature graying. Eating fresh amla or applying its paste to the roots of your hair improves both growth and color.
2. Improves eyesight: Studies have shown that eating amla improves eye health, cataracts and also reduces intraocular tension which is the pressure you feel in the eye. High level of carotene present in amla is known to improve vision related conditions.
3. Improves digestion: Amla is high in fiber and helps in regularizing bowel movement. It reduces constipation and stimulates the secretion of gastric juices. It also improves digestion and allows for more nutrient absorption.
4. Diabetes Management: Amla is rich in chromium which is therapeutic for diabetic patients. It stimulates insulin production which helps in reducing blood glucose levels. Chromium also enhances the effect of beta-blocker and thereby helps in reducing LDL cholesterol which is the bad cholesterol.
5. Diuretic and liver detoxification: Amla increases the frequency and volume of urination. It has a high water content which helps in eliminating toxins from the body.
6. It prevents ageing: High antioxidants in amla prevent cells from free radical damage.
7. Reduces infections and enhances immunity: Amla has antibacterial and astringent attributes which means it helps in increasing a person’s immunity and protects the body from various infections.
