Common names: Amalaki ('sour'), Dhatri, ('nurse') (S); Amlika (H), Nelli (T), Indian Gooseberry (E)

Botany: Amalaki is a small to medium-sized tree with a crooked trunk and spreading branches, the grayish-green bark peeling off in flakes.  The branchlets are glabrous or finely pubescent, 10-20 cm long, usually deciduous; the leaves simple, subsessile and closely set along branchlets, light green, resembling pinnate leaves.  The flowers are greenish-yellow, borne in axillary fascicles, giving way to a globose fruit with a greenish-yellow flesh and six furrows, enclosing a stone with six seeds.  Amalaki is native to tropical southeastern Asia, particularly in central and southern India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Malayasia, southern China and the Mascarene Islands.  It is commonly cultivated in gardens throughout India and grown commercially as a medicinal fruit (Warrier et al 1995, 256; Kirtikar and Basu 1935, 2220-21).

Part used: Fresh or dried whole fruit.

Dravyguna:
•Rasa: primarily amla, tikta and kashaya, but also madhura, noticed particularly while drinking water after one has consumed the fruit.  Katu is a minor, secondary taste, whereas lavana is absent.
•Vipaka: madhura
•Virya: shita
•Karma: dipanapachana, anuloma, jvaraghna, raktaprasadana, kasahara, svasahara, hrdaya, chakshushya, romasanjana, jivaniya, medhya, rasayana, tridoshaghna
•Prabhava: Amalaki is sattvic, bringing good fortune, love and longevity to those that consume it (Srikanthamurthy 2001, 164; Warrier et al 1995, 256; Dash 1991, 9; Dash and Junius 1983, 89; Frawley and Lad 1986, 157).

Constituents: Amalaki fruit contains a series of diterpenes referred to as the gibberellins, as well asthe triterpene lupeol, flavonoids (e.g. kaempherol-3-O-fl-Dglucoside, quercetin-3-O-fl-Dglucoside), and polyphenols (e.g. emblicanin A and B, punigluconin and pedunculagin).  Also present are the phyllantine and zeatin alkaloids, and a number of benzenoids including amlaic acid, corilagin, ellagic acid, 3-6-di-O-galloyl-glucose, ethyl gallate, 1,6-di-O-galloyl-fl-Dglucose, 1-di-O-galloyl-fl-Dglucose, putranjivain A, digallic acid, phyllemblic acid, emblicol, and alactaric acid.  The fruits are also stated to contain significantly high amounts of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), upwards of 3.25% in the dried fruit, but this has also been disputed (Khopde et al 2001; Yoganarasimhan 2000, 410; Bhattacharya 1999; Summanen 1999; Ghosal et al 1996).

Medical research:
•Antioxidant: Like many of the rasayana botanicals, P. emblica displays pronounced adaptogenic properties, and has been shown to be active in vivo against free radical damage induced during stress (Rege 1999).  Although P. emblica is stated as one of the highest naturally occurring sources of vitamin C (Katiyar 1997, 178), its antioxidant properties have also been attributed to the tannoid complexes (emblicanin A [37%], emblicanin B [33%], punigluconin [12%] and pedunculagin [14%] (Bhattacharya 1999).  Overall, the antioxidant effect of Amalaki is significantly greater than that of vitamin C alone (Khopde et al 2001).
•Antiinflammatory: An extract of the leaf of P. emblica has been found to have significant antiinflammatory activities in carrageenan and dextran-induced rat hind paw oedema (Asmawi 1993).
•Antimicrobial: Aqueous and ethanol extracts of P. emblica have been found to be both antifungal and antimicrobial in vitro, without any indication of cellular toxicity (Dutta 1998; Ahmad 1998).
•Antiviral: A bioassay-guided fractionation of a methanol extract of the fruit of P. emblica (putranjivain A) was isolated as a potent inhibitory substance on the effects of human immunodeficiency virus-1 reverse transcriptase (el-Mekkawy et al 1995).
•Cancer: Nandi et al. report that the supplementation P. emblica to mice in vivo significantly reduced the cytotoxic effects of a known carcinogen, 3,4-benzo(a)pyrene, in much smaller doses than the carcingogen (1997).  When an aqueous extract of P. emblica is administered prior to radiation treatment, it has been found to have a protective effect upon radiation induced chromosomal damage (Yadav 1987). 
•Cardiovascular: The lipid lowering and antiatherosclerotic effects of P. emblica fresh juice, given in doses equal to 5 mL/kg over a 60 day period, was evaluated in cholesterol-fed rabbits.  Serum cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipid and LDL levels were lowered by 82%, 66%, 77% and 90%, respectively.  Tissue lipid levels showed a significant reduction following P. emblica juice administration, with the regression of aortic plaques and increased excretion of cholesterol and phospholipids, compared to controls (Mathur et al 1996).  Researchers studied the effect of P. emblica in normal and hypercholesterolaemic men aged 35-55 years to determine its effect on total serum cholesterol.  The supplement was given for a period of 28 days in the raw form. Both normal and hypercholesterolemic subjects showed a decrease in cholesterol levels while taking Amalaki, but two weeks after withdrawing the supplement the total serum cholesterol levels of the hypercholesterolemic subjects rose almost to initial levels (Jacob et al 1988).  P. emblica was found to reduce serum cholesterol, aortic cholesterol and hepatic cholesterol in rabbits, but did not influence euglobulin clot lysis time, platelet adhesiveness or serum triglyceride levels (Thakur 1985). The effect of Amalaki on serum cholesterol was investigated in rabbits.  After a standard laboratory diet the rabbits were fed a combination of cholesterol and clarified butter, and were divided into three groups: one which served as a control, the second which were also given 10 mg of vitamin C daily, and one group that were given 1 g of Amalaki daily.  Mean serum cholesterol levels in all three groups rose to significantly higher levels by the end of the second week, and continued to rise by the end of the third and fourth weeks except in those animals given Amalaki, which demonstrated significantly lower mean serum cholesterol levels (Mishra et al 1981).
•Digestive: Research conducted at the Amala Cancer Research Centre in Kerala, India, has found that an extract of P. emblica significantly inhibited hepatocarcinogenesis induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) in experimental animals (Jeena 1999).  In addition to its hepatoprotective activities, P. emblica also appears to be functional in acute necrotizing pancreatitis, reducing inflammation and the damage to acinar cells (Thorat 1995).
•Immune: P. emblica has been found to enhance natural killer cell activity and antibody dependent cytotoxicity in tumor bearing mice, enhancing lifespan to 35% beyond the control animals (Suresh and Vasudevan 1994).  An aqueous extract of P. emblica has been shown to significantly reduce the cytotoxic effects of sodium arsenite when administered orally in experiemental animals (Biswas 1999).

Toxicity: No data found.  Amalaki is widely consumed throughout India as a medicinal food.

Indications: Dyspepsia, gastritis, biliousness, hyperacidity, hepatitis, constipation, flatulent colic, colitis, hemorrhoids, convalescence from fever, cough, asthma, skin diseases, bleeding disorders, menorrhagia, anemia, diabetes, gout, osteoporosis, premature graying, alopecia, asthenia, mental disorders, vertigo, palpitations, cardiovascular disease, cancer.

Contraindications: Acute diarrhea, dysentery (Frawley and Lad 1986, 157).

Medicinal uses: Amalaki is among the most important medicinal plants in the Ayurvedic materia medica, and along with Haritaki and Vibhitaki forms the famous Triphala formula, used to cleanse the dhatus of ama, pacify all three doshas, and act as a rasayana to promote good health and long life.  A synonym for Amalaki is Dhatri or ånurse,π indicating that it has the power to restore health like a mother caring for her child.  The fruit is the most commonly used plant part, and the fresh fruit is preferred.  An excision in the unripe fruit is made and the exudate collected is used topically in conjunctivitis (Kirtikar and Basu 1935, 2221).  The unripe fruits are also made into pickles and given before meals to stimulate the appetite in anorexia (Nadkarni 1954, 481).  The fresh juice of the fruit mixed with ghrita is a rasayana, has a beneficial activity upon the intestinal flora, and is a corrective to colon function.  The fresh fruit is very hard to come by outside of the subcontinent, and can usually be found in Indian markets for only a few weeks during the fall.  The dried fruit is used as a decoction to treat ophthalmia when applied externally, and is used internally as a hemostatic and antidiarrheal (Nadkarni 1954, 482).  The boiled, reconstituted dried fruit, blended into a smooth liquid with a small quantity of gur added, is useful in anorexia, anemia, biliousness dyspepsia, and jaundice. This is also an excellent restorative in chronic rhinitis and fever, with swollen and dry red lips and rashes about the mouth.  The dried fruitprepared as a decoction and taken on a regular basis is useful in menorrhagia and leucorrhea, and is an excellent post-partum restorative.  Similarly the Chakradatta recommends the fresh juice of Amalaki with Amalaki churna, taken with ghee and honey as a vajikarana rasayana.  In the treatment of cardiovascular disease Amalaki is an excellent antioxidant botanical, used to treat all of the cardiovascular effects of poorly controlled diabetes and insulin resistance, including diseases of microcirculation such as macular degeneration.  Amalaki is similarly taken in polluted urban areas to keep the immune system strong.  For coronary heart disease in particular Amalaki can be combined with Arjuna, or non-Indian botanicals such as Hawthorn, and with Guggulu for dyslipidemia.  Taken with Guduchi, Katuka, and Bhunimba, Amalaki forms an important protocol in the treatment of hepatitis and cirrhosis.  Amalaki is also an important herb to consider to protect the body against the deleterious effects of chemotherapy and radiation in conventional cancer treatments.  In combination with Chitraka, Haritaki, Pippali and saindhava, Amalaki churna is mentioned by the Sharangadhara samhita in the treatment of all types of fever (Srikanthamurthy 1984, 85).  In the treatment of nausea, vomiting and poor appetite fresh Amalaki is crushed with Draksha (Vitis vinifera) and mixed with sugar and honey (Sharma 2002, 170). Amalaki fruit fried in ghee and reduced to a paste and mixed with kanjika (fermented rice water) is applied over the head to treat nosebleeds (Srikanthamurthy 1984, 242).  In the treatment of agnimandya, edema, abdominal enlargement, hemorrhoids, intestinal parasites, diabetes and allergies three parts Amalaki churna is mixed with the same amount each of Ajamoda, Haritaki and Maricha (Piper nigrum), with 1 part pancha lavana (the åfive salts,π i.e. saindhava, samudra, sambara, sauvarchala and vid lavana), macerated in buttermilk until it has fermented (Sharma 2002, 71).  Combined with equal parts Guduchi, Shunthi (Zingiber officinalis), Aragvadha (Cassia fistula) and Gokshura, dried Amalaki fruit is recommended by the Chakradatta as a decoction in the treatment of urinary tenesmus (Sharma 2002, 307).  Amalaki is the primary constituent of a complex polyherbal lehya called Chyavanaprash that is used as a rasayana, and in the treatment of chronic lung and heart diseases, infertility and mental disorders (Sharma 2002, 140). Another valued rasayana that contains Amalaki as the primary constituent is Brahma rasayana, giving the person that takes it "…the vigor resembling an elephant, intelligence, strength, wisdom and right attitude" (Srikanthamurthy 1995, 386).  The dried fruit made into an oil and applied to the head, and taken internally as a decoction or powder, is reputed to be useful in alopecia and adds luster and strength to the hair.  Similarly, the Chakradatta recommends a nasya of equal parts Amalaki and Madhuka (Glycyrrhiza glabra), decocted in milk, in the treatment of alopecia (Sharma 2002, 488).  Both the fresh juice and crushed seeds are combined with Haridra as an effective treatment for diabetes (Sharma 2002, 327; Dash and Junius 1983, 90).  The seeds are made into a fine powder and mixed with equal parts powder of Ashvagandha root as a rasayana in the cold winter months (Nadkarni 1954, 482-3). For scabies and skin irritations the seed is charred, powdered and mixed into sesame oil and applied externally (Nadkarni 1954, 482).

Dosage:
•Churna:3-10 g b.i.d.-t.i.d.
•Kvatha: 1:4, 60-120 mL b.i.d.-t.i.d.
•Tincture: 1:3, 30% alcohol, 1-10 mL b.i.d.-t.i.d.

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