Benefits of Amla
The tree is small to medium in size, reaching 1–8 m (3 ft 3 in–26 ft 3 in) in height. The branchlets are not glabrous or finely pubescent, 10–20 cm (3.9–7.9 in) long, usually deciduous; the leaves are simple, subsessile and closely set along branchlets, light green, resembling pinnate leaves. The flowers are greenish-yellow. The fruit is nearly spherical, light greenish yellow, quite smooth and hard on appearance, with six vertical stripes or furrows. Ripening in autumn, the berries are harvested by hand after climbing to upper branches bearing the fruits. The taste of Indian emblic is sour, bitter and astringent, and it is quite fibrous. In India, it is common to eat emblic steeped in salt water and red chilli powder to make the sour fruits palatable
The tree is considered sacred by Hindus as God Vishnu is believed to dwell in it. The tree is worshiped on Amalaka Ekadashi. In other Hindu beliefs, amla is said to have originated from the drops of Amrit which spilled on earth accidentally, because of the fight of gods and demons after ksheera sagar manthan. This religious belief makes claims that it almost cures every disease and is also good in extending the longevity of life.
Beautiful Skin
As the largest organ in your body, your skin is in a constant state of turnover. Old cells die and are periodically replaced by new cells. The quality of the new cells depends not only on the creams and serums used topically but also on the internal health of the person. Proper skin care is vital to physical appearance. Unhealthy skin appears dull, wrinkly, and blotchy, whereas healthy skin appears luminous and vibrant.
Wrinkles develop with more ease and sink deeper when your skin is dehydrated and unhealthy.
Researchers widely acknowledge collagen loss as one of the main causes of aging. As we grow older, collagen synthesis decreases leading to premature wrinkling and reduced elasticity in the skin. AMLA has been proven to boost the synthesis of collagen, a protein that protects the skin against disease and injury by elevating the activity of the mitochondria (the energy producers of our body's cells) in the skin fibroblasts that synthesize collagen. Another of AMLA's anti-aging properties is its photoprotective effect against sun damage. UVB rays are known as the most hazardous environmental carcinogen. Amla effectively inhibits UVB-induced photoaging in human skin fibroblasts because of its strong ability to neutralize free radicals. A 2015 study from the University of Florence, Italy, found that Amla also improved the skin of patients by lowering inflammation.
At the molecular level, skin cells have an outer membrane composed mostly of lipid cells (fat). Because of this, fat soluble skin products penetrate the skin and can be absorbed better than water soluble products. Nevertheless, since both can be absorbed, it is important that your skin care products contain both water-soluble and fat-soluble extracts.
Anti-inflammatory Properties
Inflammation is a critical marker of human health. In addition to its other remarkable properties, Amla is widely accepted as a potent anti-inflammatory agent. Studies show decreases in blood C-Reactive Protein (CRP) levels after intake of AMLA by as much as 40% within six months. In a 2013 study published in the British Journal of Nutrition, researchers found that oral administration of the Amla fruit extract significantly decreased the concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α and IL-6 in serum, suggesting the anti-inflammatory power of AMLA. The pills are contraindicated during pregnancy.
Cardio-protective and Anti-Diabetic Properties
Cardiovascular health is a primary concern for our generation. A 2015 American study from the Ohio State University suggests that Amla supplementation provides beneficial effects in overweight/Class-1 obese adults by lowering multiple global cardiovascular disease risk factors. A 2015 study from the University of Connecticut shows that Amla increases production of nitric oxide, glutathione, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL); decreases low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP); and significantly inhibits platelet aggregation. In their study on rats, they found that Amla is capable of preserving cardiac tissue during ischemia-reperfusion injury. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study from India, Amla extract produced a significant decrease in mean percent change in the indices of arterial stiff- ness and increase in SEVR, an index of myocardial perfusion with Cold Pressor Testing. In another double-blind, placebo-controlled study from India, Amla significantly improved endothelial function and reduced biomarkers of oxidative stress and systemic inflammation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Hepatoprotective activity of AMLA
The liver is an essential organ that rids the body of toxins, helping it stay healthy and function properly. Studies show that consuming Amla improves the liver’s ability to clear toxins such as CCL4 (Carbon Tetrachloride) and other hepatotoxins. Amla modulates some of the key proteins involved in lipid metabolism helping as a preventive agent for dyslipidemia, an abnormal amount of lipids in the blood, and hepatic steatosis or “fatty liver.”
