Amla (Gooseberry) is a potent gift of Mother Nature to mankind. Humanity has utilized its benefits for decades, and it forms an indispensable part of the ayurvedic and unanai medicine. You must have seen your granny using Amla (Gooseberry) for pickles and murabas and its formulations for treating many common diseases. Amla or Gooseberry has many nutritious benefits. The Amla (Gooseberry) has been found to be the most abundant source of Vitamin C in the plant kingdom.

---containing as much as 20 times that of an orange. What makes this even more extraordinary is that unlike many other natural sources, the vitamin C content in Amla (Gooseberry) or gooseberry does not diminish with cooking. It was used successfully in the treatment of scurvy during the Hissar (Haryana) famine of 1939-40.

Amla (Gooseberry) is a medium sized deciduous tree which can be successfully grown in cariable agro climatic and soil conditions. It can tolerate climates as high as 45 degree celcius and freezing temperatures too. Its natural habitat is Burma in the east to Afganistan in the west.

Though every part of the tree possess therupetic potentials, it is the fruit which constitutes the main drug. Amla (Gooseberry) is an unusual fruit as it contains gamut of tastes, except the salty taste. With sourness as the foremost taste , it is sweet, astringent bitter and pungent too.

The fresh fruit contains more than 80% of water besides protein, carbohydrates, fibre, minerals and vitamins Minerals and vitamins mainly include cacium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, Vitamin C and B complex. It also contains gallic acid, which is a potent polyphenol.

Amla (Gooseberry) is the most widely used herb in ayurvedic medicines. Charak and sushrut widely mention the use of Amla (Gooseberry) for curative purposes.

Amla (Gooseberry) is used in innumerable Auyrvedic formulations. Here is how you can alleviate some of the common ailments through these time-tested decoctions. Put your body back into action following these tips.

The cholesterol in our body is a very essential component. The human liver is the main source of cholesterol. The amount of unused cholesterol gets collected in the blood vessels , Thus resulting in heart attacks. The Vitamin C in Amla (Gooseberry) helps in dilating the blood vessels and there by reducing the blood pressure.

Prepare a powdered mixture of dry Amla (Gooseberry) and sugar candy. Mix one teaspoonful of this mixture in a glass of water and consume daily in empty stomach. This decoction helps in stabilizing the blood cholesterol level.

Diabetes occurs when the pancreas fails to regulate the blood glucose levels. It is the talk of the world today as the number of diabetic patients is rapidly increasing due to the adoption of western food habits aerated beverages, tobacco and alcohol.

If you suffer from this disease trust the anti-diabetic potential of Amla (Gooseberry) and prepare a mixture by mixing equal quantities of Amla (Gooseberry), jamun and bitter gourd powder. A teaspoonful of this mixture once or twice a day is effective in checking diabetes.

Of the numerous diseases attributed to the modern life style acidity is one which all of us might have suffered from at different times. In majority homes we find strips of antacids adorning the medicine cupboards.

Frequent intake of sweet, sour and spicy and oily food causes acidity. Excessive coffee, tea and smoking are other causative agents. Psychological reasons for acidity include anger, grief and depression.

When your belly is on fire reach for Amla (Gooseberry). In acute or chronic acidity, simply take one gram of Amla (Gooseberry) powder with a little sugar in milk or water twice a day.

Hair, your crowning glory, turns grey with ageing and lusterless due to pollution. All traditional recipes for promoting hair growth contain Amla (Gooseberry) as the chief ingredient.

Anyone worried about graying hair would be delighted to know Amla (Gooseberry) powder soaked in water and left in an iron utensil is a 3-in-1 preparation--- shampoo, conditioner and hair-dye.

Regular application of this mixture for a few hours at a time is ideal.