Did You Know?
By D.P. Agrawal

dpagrawal@sancharnet.in

The tiny AMLA has been found to be a very healthy tonic.

The tree is called Emblica myrobalan in scientific parlance. It is a small, leafy tree that grows across India and bears an edi­ble fruit (termed Indian gooseberry by the British). A tree can bear fruits for 65-70 years. The berry is rich in pectin and vitamin C; it is an essential ingredient of the popular herbal tonic Chyawanprash. A single fruit con­tains more vitamin C than three oranges or 16 bananas. It is val­ued for its precious oil, which is used for treatment of hair and scalp problems. Amla oil is prepared from dried berries, which have been soaked in coconut oil for several days; this helps extract the oil soluble vitamins from the fruit. The fruit has unique medicinal properties. It improves eyesight and purifies blood: It helps treat bile and cough. It enhances food absorption. The berry is ideal for calming mild to moderate hyperacidity and other digestive problems. It for­tifies the liver, lungs and the nervous system.

In India, the area under amla cultivation has been expand­ing rapidly - from just about 3,000 hectares in the early 1980s to over 50,000 hectares in 2003. Current trends indicate that the area could increase to 1 lakh hectares by 2005. The fruit is cultivated mostly in Uttar Pradesh, followed by Gujarat. The plant can be grown on wasteland.

Source: Down To Earth

An Amla a Day Keeps the Docter Away

Mahendra Pandey

Link: www.downtoearth.org.in

Posted February 17th 2006

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