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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 Amla is a moderate-size deciduous tree 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.
There are many benefits that Amalaki imparts that are
mentioned in ayurvedic texts. Some of them are:
- 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 microchannels 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
subdosha of Pitta that governs liver function and the blood plasma) and
Alochaka Pitta (the subdosha 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.
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