Medicinal use of Gooseberry: Indian Scenario

The health promoting and curative properties of Indian gooseberry or fruit of Emblica officinalis were known to the Indians since the Vedic era. Its trees are found in all the forests of the Indian subcontinent and south-east Asia. The height of trees of Indian gooseberry or amla is about 30 to 40 feet and these are evergreen trees. There are about 15 varieties of gooseberry in India. The spherical fruit of gooseberry have a diameter of 3 - 4 cm and the color could be yellowish green or light reddish green. The trees of some varieties start bearing fruit at the age of 6 to 8 years. The yield of fruit per tree could be around 150 kg. Around 2 million hectare land is under the cultivation of Emblica officinalis in India. There are a number of nutrients and medicinal chemicals present the juice or pulp of gooseberries. It is very rich source of ascorbic acid or vitamin-C, folic acid, iron and minerals, even in the dry form. Its pulp is the main component of chaywanprash. Around 10,000 tons of Indian gooseberry or amla are processed by various pharmaceutical companies in India alone to manufacture drugs and health foods containing gooseberry pulp or dry powder. Chaywanprash has been known to improve immunity and digestion and being marketed as natural revitalizer or health food for all age groups. Half a spoon of dry powder of amla or gooseberries if taken with warm water after major meals could permanently cure constipation and piles. It has great anti-inflammatory properties and regular intake of 3 to 6 gram of dry amla powder could treat joint pains and improve eyesight.

Medicinal Properties of Indian Gooseberry

Indian gooseberry or amla has a variety of medicinal properties. Its botanical name is Emblica officinalis. In the Ayurvedic literature Indian gooseberry had been documented as panacea. It is very rich source of vitamin-C even in the dry form. In addition to vitamin-C, Indian gooseberry also contains vitamin-B, calcium, phosphorus, carotene and iron. Intake of fresh gooseberry or powder of the dry gooseberry is equally beneficial in liver disorders, hypercholesterolemia (elevated level of cholesterol in blood) and diabetes. It improves digestion, immunity and also checks premature greying of hair. Millions of tons of Indian gooseberry fruit are processed every year for medicinal uses. Its pulp is the main content of chaywanprash and amritprash. Its jam and juice are in the top line of health promoting foods and natural revitalizers. Dry powder of amla should be taken with water only. Regular intake of half a spoon of dry powder of Indian gooseberry could supply us daily dose of vitamin-C, iron and phosphorus. People with peptic ulcer should avoid using dry powder of Indian gooseberry. The Indian System of Medicine had always admired medicinal properties of Indian gooseberry and propagated its use as natural revitalizer.