Indian Gooseberry or Amla

The health benefits of the Indian Gooseberry or Amla can be attributed to the high vitamin C content. Ayurveda phrase, "As gold is to minerals, amla is to the herbs," clearly explains its medicinal significance. The fresh fruit contains more than 80% water, protein, minerals, carbohydrates and fibre. It increases red blood cell production and strengthens teeth and nails.It enhances food absorption, balances stomach acid, fortifies the liver, nourishes the brain and mental functioning, supports the heart, strengthens the lungs, regulates elimination, enhances fertility, helps the urinary system, is good for the skin, promotes healthier hair, acts as a body coolant, flushes out toxins, increases vitality, strengthens the eyes, improves muscle tone and it acts as an antioxidant.

The Health Benefits of Amla :

1. Hair care:  Amla is used in many hair tonics. It enriches hair growth and hair pigmentation. It strengthens roots of hair , maintains color and luster. Eating fresh fruit or applying its paste on hair roots improves hair growth and color. Amla oil is very popular in India as it serves as a very good hair growth booster thereby preventing hair loos.

2. Eye care:  Taking Gooseberry juice with honey is good for improving eyesight. It improves nearsightedness and cataract. It reduces intraocular tension.

3. Diabetes:  Gooseberry contains chromium. It has a therapeutic value in diabetics. Indian Gooseberry or Amla stimulate the isolated group of cells that secrete the hormone insulin. Thus it reduces blood sugar in diabetic patient.

4. Heart disease:  Gooseberry strengthens heart muscles. So heart pumps blood flawless throughout the body. Research shows that Amla helps lower cholesterol.

5. Infection:  Due t o its antibacterial and astringent attributes the Indian Gooseberry protects against infection. It improves body resistance.

6. Diarrhoea and dysentery:  Due to its strong, cooling and laxative properties Gooseberry is useful for remedies for diarrhoea and dysentery. It is a great relief for gastric syndrome and hyperchlorhydria (burning sensation in abdomen).

7. Improving appetite:  Consuming Gooseberry powder with butter and honey before meal improves appetite. It helps in balancing Nitrogen level and thus increases weight in a healthy way.

8. Anti aging:  Amla prevents health related hyperlipidaemia through attenuating oxidative stress in the ageing process.

9. Fortifies Liver:  Amla-Berry helps purify the Rasa Dhatu (nutrient fluid) and Rakta Dhatu (blood), thus supporting the functions of the liver. It also strengthens the liver, helping it in eliminating toxins from the body.

10. Enhances Fertility:  By balancing Apana Vata and by nurturing all the dhatus (body tissues), Amla-Berry also keeps menstruation regular and healthy. Amla-Berry supports the reproductive systems of both men and women and can help overcome difficulty in conceiving. It is especially nurturing for women, strengthening the uterus and supporting reproductive health.

It is best if you can eat the fruit fresh and raw. In most of the home amla is dried (amla supari, candy) or the packaged and preserved (pickles, murabba) wherein most of the Vit C is lost.

Tips to include Amla in our daily diet :
•Drink fresh amla juice with a dash of honey to give your day an energetic start.
•Add grated amla to vegetables, coriander/mint chutneys, salads and cucumber raita (or curd).
•Amla can be chopped or sliced and consumed by itself.
•Use as an alternative to tamarind, lemon or such other fruits to add flavour to food.
•Use amla as dry powder, fresh juice or for a dressing, by grating it coarse, or fine.
•Amla preserved for a long time in sugar syrup (Amla Murabba) or as a pickle can be used regularly.
Go head.......stock up your Vit C......have a amla a day.

For some Home Remedies Using Indian Gooseberry visit -
http://natural-herbal-remedies.knoji.com/home-remedies-using-indian-gooseberry-amla/