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Ayurveda
The Amazing Amla Berry
by Vaidya Rama Kant Mishra
 Of all the Rasayanas,
Ayurvedic formulations revered for their positive influence on the overall
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 a moderate-size deciduous tree (Emblic
Myrobalan) 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. While the fresh Amalaki fruit
is used to make chutneys and relishes in India, the Amla-Berry tablets
from Maharishi Ayurveda are a convenient way to enjoy the healing benefits
of this remarkable fruit no matter where you live. The tablets contain
only Amalaki.
Wide Range of Benefits
There are many benefits that Amalaki imparts that are mentioned in
Ayurvedic texts. Let me list some of them:
-
Excellent source of Vitamin C.
Amalaki is the most concentrated form of Vitamin C found in the plant
kingdom, and when the whole fruit is used rather than an active
ingredient, the Vitamin C 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 Amla-Berry tablets 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, Amla-Berry 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-Berry
helps purify the Rasa Dhatu (nutrient fluid) and Rakta Dhatu
(blood), thus supporting the functions of the liver. It also strengthens
the liver, helping it in eliminating toxins from the body. Research shows
that Amalaki helps lower cholesterol.
-
Nourishes the brain and mental
functioning. Amla-Berry is good for the brain. It is medhya -
nurturing for the mind and enhancing coordination among dhi
(acquisition), dhriti (retention), and smriti (recall). It
helps sharpen 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. On the other hand, it sometimes acts
as a cardiac stimulant. For this reason, if you have a heart condition,
you should check with a medical doctor before using Amla-Berry tablets.
-
Strengthens the lungs. The
Amla-Berry tablets help 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. Amla-Berry
tablets 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), Amla-Berry 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-Berry 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-Berry 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-Berry
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-Berry 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-Berry
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 micro-channels 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. Amla-Berry
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 sub-dosha of Pitta
that governs liver function and the blood plasma) and Alochaka Pitta
(the sub-dosha 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-Berry
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
tablets and other rasayanas that contain Amalaki are effective
broad-spectrum antioxidants and free radical scavengers, helping to reduce
disease and slow the aging process.
-
Enhances immunity. All of the
benefits already mentioned make Amla-Berry a strong immunity booster.
Processing for Potency
Amalaki fruit requires a meticulous 21-step process at low heat to
maintain potency of the vitamins and minerals as well as the biological
intelligence of this remarkable plant.
The processing method makes the Amla-Berry tablets many times more
powerful than the simple fruit or fruit powder. The traditional Ayurvedic
processing enhances its potency and increases the natural intelligence of
the fruit, without destroying or disturbing any of its delicate qualities.
July 28, 2002
Disclaimer:
Information provided in this article is for the sole purpose of imparting education on
Ayurveda and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you have a medical condition, please consult your physician.
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Ayurveda
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