Amla

This large genus includes 650-700 species of trees, shrubs, annuals and perennials, found widely in tropical and warm temperate regions. In many species the new growth is flushed red, and the foliage has an interesting structure, often with flattened, leaf-like stems (cladophylls) that give the appearance of pinnate leaves. As is characteristic of the family Euphorbiaceae, the foliage exudes and irritant milky sap when damaged. A number of species are medicinally used in Asia and are important in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine. Two very different species are particularly important: Phyllanthus emblica, a tree with small gooseberry-like fruits; nad P. niruri, a common annual weed in many parts of tropical Asia. The former is known in Hindi as amalaki, ("nurse"), because it heals so many ailments. Emblic fruits, which are among the highest known source of vitamin C (3000mg per fruit), are used in many different preparations in Ayurvedic medicine; when unripe they are exceedingly sour. The fruits are a key ingredient of chyavanprash, the most important Ayurvedic restorative, which is also applied as paste to the head for mental disorders. They are also and ingredient of the triphala ("three fruits"), another rejuvenative tonic that also included Terminala chebula, (See, myrobalm) and T. belerica, (Bastard Myrobalm). Other species include P. urinaria, a potent diuretic, used for liver and kidney diseases and urinary tract infections; it is strongly antibacterial, and a useful remedy also for dysentery, eye infections, and boils. Phyllanthus reticulatus is also diuretic and astringent, and is used to heal burns and sores, and to treat diarrhea in children, dysentery, and asthma. Among the constituents in Phyllanthus species is phyllanthin, which acts as a fish poison. Phyllanthus is from the Greek phyllon, "leaf", and anthos, "flower", referring to the fact that in some species the flowers are produced on the edges of leaf-like stems.

Slender, spreading, much-branched tree with a crooked trunk, thin gray bark and linear-oblong leaves, bearing two ranks of leaflet-like cladophylls, 1-2cm (3/8-¾in) long. Tiny yellow-pale green flowers are followed by globose, edible, pale green to yellow fruits, about 2cm (¾in) across, with very sour flesh.


Common Name:
Amla
Other Names:
Emblic Myrobalan, Amalaki, Aonla
Botanical Name:
Phyllanthus emblica syn. Emblica offinalis
Genus:
Phyllanthus
Family:
Euphorbiaceae
Native Location:
Tropical Asia
Cultivation:
Well-drained soil in sun with high humidity.
Propagation:
By seed sown when ripe.
Harvest:
Whole plants are collected during summer and autumn and used fresh or dried in decoctions, or pounded with roots as a poultice. Fruits are collected when unripe or ripe for decoctions, powder, and candy. Roots and bark are collected as required for decoctions.
Height:
10-15m (30-45ft)
Width:
5-8m (15-25ft)
Hardiness:
Min. 15°C (59°F)
Parts Used:
Fruits, leaves, bark, roots
Properties:
A cooling, astringent, tonic herb that controls bleeding, improves digestion, and has laxative effects. It is considered rejuvenative and aphrodisiac.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally for debility, anemia, poor appetite, fever, diabetes, nausea and vomiting, constipation, gastritis, colitis, hepatitis, jaundice, hemorrhage, hemorrhoids, and diarrhea. Externally for sores, eye infections, and pruritis.
Culinary Uses:
Acid fruits are eaten raw or used in pickles, chutneys, sweetmeats, and preserves; also as a sour flavoring, like lemon juice, and dried as fruit chips which are eaten as snacks after fasting.
Economic Uses:
Extracts are a common ingredient in Ayurvedic tonics.
Bibliography:
Encylopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright ©: 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited pps. 312-313