Family: Euphorbiaceae
Species: Emblica officinalis
Common Name: Amla, Indian gooseberry

Description:
Amla is very well-known in Indian traditional medicine system, Ayurveda. Native to India, this plant is very nutritious. The edible fruit tissue contains protein concentration 3-fold and ascorbic acid concentration 160-fold compared to that of the apple with also higher concentration of most minerals and amino acids.

Medicinal Use:
Amla's traditional uses:
Treatment of syspepsia and peptic ulcer.
It has antimicrobial properties.
An antioxidant. As a laxative, eye wash, appetite stimulant, restorative tonic, and to treat anorexia, indigestion, diarrhea, anemia, and jaundice. Amla has unusually high levels of Vitamin C. Used for all obstinate urinary conditions, anemia, biliousness, bleeding, colitis, constipation, convalescence from fever, cough, diabetes, gastritis, gout, hepatitis, hemorrhoids, liver weakness, to relieve stress ,osteoporosis, palpitation, spleen weakness, tissue deficiency, vertigo rebuilds blood, bones, cells, and tissues. It increases red blood cell count and regulates blood sugar; heart tonic, cleanses mouth, stops gum bleeding, stops stomach and colon inflammation; cleanses intestines, strengthens teeth, aids eyesight, worms, acidity, eye and lung inflammations, ulcerations, G.I. disorders, painful urination, and internal bleeding

Key Active Constituents
Emblicanin A&B, Puniglucanin, Pedunculagin, 2-keto-gluconolactone (Vitamin-C equivalents). Ellagic acid, Hexahydroxy-diphenic acid and conjugates.

Medical research:
Amla has undergone some pre-liminary research showing vitro antiviral and antimicrobial properties. According to the evidence in vitro, the extracts induce apoptosis and modify gene expression in osteoclasts involved in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis. Experimental preparations of leaves, bark or fruit have shown potential efficacy against laboratory models of disease, such as for inflammation, cancer, age-related renal disease, and diabetes. A human pilot study demonstrated reduction of blood cholesterol levels in both normal and hypercholesterolemic men.

Although fruits are reputed to contain high amounts of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), 445 mg/100g, the specific contents are disputed and the overall antioxidant strength of amla may derive instead from its high density of tannins and other polyphenols. The fruit also contains flavonoids, kaempferol, ellagic acid and gallic acid.

Traditional uses
Amla is used as a rejuvenative to promote longevity, and traditionally to enhance digestion, to purify the blood, treat constipation and reduce fevers and coughs, enhance intellect and many other uses. In Hinduism, amla is regarded as a sacred tree worshipped as Mother Earth.