The Amla Berry "Amalaki" (Emblica officinalis) is a traditional food and medicine that inspires awe in the mind of the serious herbalist due to its many known nutritional and medicinal benefits and uses. Of all the ayurvedic formulations revered for their positive influence on the physiology, Amalaki is considered one of the most potent and nourishing. The Charaka Samhita says, "Amalaki is the best among rejuvenative herbs."

The Amalaki is actually a moderate-size deciduous tree with gray bark and reddish wood that grows in the tropical subcontinent of India. All parts of the plant are used in various ayurvedic herbal preparations, including the fruit, seed, leaves, root, bark and flowers.

Amla Berry "Amalaki": This fruit is highly prized both for its high vitamin C content (8 times that of a lemon, and 30 times the Vitamin C in an orange) and for the precious oil which is extracted from its seeds and pulp and used as a remedy for hair and scalp problems. It is the world's richest source of vitamin C. Amla fruit is also known as "Indian Gooseberry". This well studied plant, a natural source of Vitamin C is primarily effective on liver and spleen and also in relieving inflammation throughout the body.  Amla is a household name in India. It is known to impart good health. It is highly reputed for its rejuvenative properties. Amla is consumed as a coolant in summers in the form of 'murabbas' or refreshing drinks.

Amla is highly nutritious and is an important dietary source of Vitamin C, minerals and amino acids. The edible fruit tissue contains protein concentration 3-fold and ascorbic acid concentration 160-fold compared to that of the apple. The fruit also contains considerably higher concentration of most minerals and amino acids than apples. Glutamic acid, proline, aspartic acid, alanine, and lysine are 29.6, 14.6, 8.1, 5.4 and 5.3% respectively of the total amino acids. The pulpy portion of fruit, dried at 100- and freed from the nuts contains: gallic acid 1.32%, tannin, sugar 36.10%; gum 13.75%; albumin 13.08%; crude cellulose 17.08%; mineral matter 4.12% and moisture 3.83%. Amla fruit ash contains chromium, 2.5 ; zinc, 4; and copper, 3 ppm. Presence of chromium is of therapeutic value in diabetes. Fruit also contains phyllemblin and curcuminoides. The fruit contained 482.14 units of superoxide dismutase/g fresh weight, and exhibited antisenescent activity. The seed oil contains 64.8% linolenic acid and closely resembles linseed oil.

There are many benefits that Amla-Berry imparts that are mentioned in ayurvedic texts and experienced by people in India for thousands of years and now by people in the West as well. Here is a list of some of them:

• Excellent source of Vitamin C. Amla-Berry is rich in Vitamin C, containing about 720 to 921 mg. of Vitamin C for every hundred grams of edible material. It is the most concentrated form of Vitamin C found in the plant kingdom, and because the whole fruit is used rather than an active ingredient, it is easily assimilated by the human body. The Vitamin C in the Amalaki fruit is bonded with tannins that protect it from being destroyed by heat or light.
• Enhances food absorption. The regular use of Amalaki can strengthen digestion, absorption and assimilation of food. People taking it notice that they enjoy the taste of food better. It enhances all thirteen digestive fires (agni). But it works more slowly and gently than ginger or other digestion-enhancing herbs, so it can be taken by people with a lot of Pitta without fear of creating excess stomach acid. In addition, it improves assimilation of iron for healthy blood.
• Balances stomach acids. Because it improves digestion but does not heat the body, Amlalika is ideal for calming mild to moderate hyperacidity and other Pitta-related digestive problems. It should always be taken with food in this case.
• Fortifies the liver. Amla helps purify the Rasa Dhatu (nutrient fluid) and Rakta Dhatu (blood), supporting the functions of the liver. It also stimulates the liver, helping it in eliminating toxins from the body. Research shows that it helps lower cholesterol.
• Nourishes the brain and mental functioning. Amla Berry is good for the brain. It is medhya (nurturing and enhancing coordination among dhi (acquisition), dhriti (retention), and smriti (recall), sharpening the intellect and mental functioning. It supports the nervous system and strengthens the senses.
• Supports the heart. It is hridya, which means it nurtures the heart, blood and circulation. It supports the cardiovascular system.
• Strengthens the lungs. The Amla Berry helps pacify Kapha dosha as well. Therefore, Amla-Berry is a wonderful tonic for strengthening and nourishing the lungs (which are a major seat of Kapha dosha in the body), and the entire respiratory tract. It also pacifies Shleshaka Kapha, which among other things governs moisture balance in the lungs.
• Regulates elimination. Amalaki also helps pacify Apana Vata, thus helping with the downward flow of energy in the body. They keep the function of elimination regular and ease constipation.
• Enhances fertility. By balancing Apana Vata and by nurturing all the dhatus (body tissues), Amalaki 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 a vrishya herb, which means that it enhances all the seven tissues (dhatus), including the reproductive tissue. This herb nurtures the ovaries and sperm, and it has a property called garbhasthapana, which means it enhances fertility and the possibility of conception. It is especially nurturing for women, strengthening the uterus and supporting reproductive health.
• Helps the urinary system. Because it enhances all the thirteen agnis (digestive fires) and supports Apana Vata, Amla is especially supportive to the urinary system and can be helpful if you experience a mild burning sensation while urinating. It supports natural diuretic action, but does not force water from the body like diuretic pills. In other words, it helps eliminate waste from the body but does not over-stimulate the urinary system.
• Good for the skin. Because Amla strengthens digestion, helps the liver detoxify and is rich in Vitamin C and other minerals, it is very good for the complexion. Amla-Berry moisturizes the skin, cleanses the tissues of toxins, and supports immunity of the skin against bacterial infection. It helps enhance glow and luster.
• Promotes healthier hair. Amla boosts absorption of calcium, thus creating healthier bones, teeth, nails and hair. It also helps maintain youthful hair color and retards premature graying, and supports the strength of the hair follicles, so there is less thinning with age.
• Acts as a body coolant. Although Amla is good for all doshas and seasons, it is especially effective in the hot season to cool Pitta dosha. It is an especially good rasayana for people with Pitta and Vata body types.
• Flushes out toxins. Individuals who have been eating "junk" food for a while tend to have accumulated deposits of preservatives and additives in the liver. Amla helps support the liver in flushing out chemicals and additives from the physiology.
• Increases vitality. Because it has five tastes and supports all the doshas and many body functions and cleanses the blood and the microchannels of the body, Amla-Berry increases energy and removes fatigue. It supports regeneration of cells-the process by which tired, old cells are replaced by vital, new ones.
• Strengthens the eyes. Amalaki is called chakshushya, which means "strengthening the eyes"-(Chakshu means "eye" and ayushya means "rasayana" so it is literally a "rasayana for the eyes"). It supports the health of the eye by enhancing both Ranjaka Pitta (the subdosha of Pitta that governs liver function and the blood plasma) and Alochaka Pitta (the subdosha of Pitta that governs the eyes and vision). The tridoshic nature of Amalaki also makes it a good tonic for the eyes.
• Improves muscle tone. Amla enhances protein synthesis, which is why it is good for strengthening muscles and building lean muscle mass. Its unique ayurvedic action offers athletes and body-builders a natural way to tone muscles and build lean mass.
• Acts as an antioxidant. Amla Berry is an effective broad-spectrum antioxidant and free radical scavenger, helping to reduce disease and slow the aging process.
• Enhances immunity. All of the benefits already mentioned, Amla-Berry is a strong immunity booster.