Emblica officinalis (Amalaki, Amla, Indian gooseberry) is used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat many ailments, including digestive tract inflammation, excess heat, constipation, ulcers, and skin disorders. According to Ayurveda, Amalaki is specific to treat pitta diseases due to its sweet taste and cooling energy.
In Ayurvedic medical system, pitta is the biological fire humor. As fire cannot exist directly in the body, pitta is contained in the body by fluid (water or oil). We can imagine pitta is fire contained in water. Pitta is hot, light, oily and irritable. So pitta is also translated as bile. Pitta dosha is responsible for all chemical and metabolic transformations in the body. In other words, it governs digestion.
It is easy to understand that, pitta imbalances are indicated by too much “fire” or too much “oil” or both. So Pitta imbalances include most infectious diseases, ulcers, acidity, boils, skin rashes, diarrhea and skin rashes. The main attributes of pitta disorders are heat, redness and oiliness. Pitta diseases are indicated by fever or burning sensation which indicate diseases in the digestive system, liver, blood and spleen. In order to restore balance to pitta, we should use medicine that has the opposing properties – coolness, heaviness (nourishment) and moderation, to cool and decrease the system. Amalaki is one of the herbs that have these properties.
As a cooling herb, amalaki possesses potent anti-inflammatory action. It acts as a natural anti inflammatory that soothes and protects the tissues of the digestive tract, and hence used in various gastrointestinal tract inflammation such as gastritis. Amalaki is traditionally used to improve digestion and elimination. Emblica officinalis contains natural digestive enzymes and hence used in indigestion.
Emblica officinalis (Amalaki) possesses antibacterial, stomachic and astringent action that prevents infection, helps in healing of ulcers, treatment of jaundice, dyspepsia and hot cough. Amalaki fruit has been used to treat human scurvy. It is also effective in the treatment of amlapitta (peptic ulcer) as well as in non-ulcer dyspepsia.
