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AMLA Botanical Name - Overview, Benifits & Sideeffect

AMLA Botanical Name - Overview, Benifits & Sideeffect

Edited By Irshad Anwar | Updated on Oct 03, 2024 06:50 PM IST

Amla is a small fruit, popularly known as Indian gooseberry for its medicinal properties and health benefits. The amla botanical name is Phyllanthus emblica, and it belongs to the family Phyllanthaceae. Another related plant is Bhumi amla, which has the botanical name Phyllanthus niruri. This chapter is covered in the book under the Plant Kingdom, in Biology. Amla botanical name and family are part of the syllabus for entrance exams like NEET and JEE, questions related to plant biology usually arise in those. Students may be asked about the amla botanical name and medicinal uses of this plant, along with its various applications in traditional medicine. Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, it might also help boost immunity and improve one's condition of digestion; there are many more reasons why. In general, students can better understand how significant is the use of amla through knowing the amla botanical name and family name.

What Is Amla?

Amla is also commonly known as the Indian gooseberry, which is a very small fruit but has gained much popularity due to its various health benefits and medicinal properties. The botanical name of Amla comes under the family of Phyllanthaceae. The bhumi amla botanical name is Phyllanthus niruri which is a tropical herb that is famous because of its medicinal properties. The plant comes under the family Phyllanthaceae, which makes understanding the Bhumi amla botanical name and family important in herbal studies.

Amla is full of vitamin C, antioxidants, etc., making it useful for immunity production, better digestion, and healthy skin. Amla botanical name and medicinal uses are an important area in traditional medicine for various treatments of the illness, such as respiratory problems, swelling, and much more. The amla botanical name, and meaning, therefore signifies its importance in the health and wellness practice, while the amla botanical name family gives some insight into where in the plant kingdom it sits. Traditional medicine highlights the extraordinary efficacy of the treatment of the many different situations for which the amla botanical name and uses are called upon, from such skin problems as wrinkles and prematurely grey hair to digestive ailments.

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Amla Overview Table

Aspect
Details
Common Name
Amla (Indian Gooseberry)
Botanical Name
Phyllanthus emblica
Family Name
Phyllanthaceae
Related Plant
Bhumi Amla
Bhumi Amla Botanical Name
Phyllanthus niruri
Key Nutrients
Vitamin C, Antioxidants
Medicinal Uses
Boosts immunity, Improves digestion, Treats respiratory issues
Significance
Important in traditional medicine

Plant morphology and harvesting

The tree is small to medium-sized and can grow to a height of 1-8 meters (3-26 ft 3 in). The leaves are simple, subsessile, and closely spaced along branchlets. They are light green and resemble pinnate leaves. The branchlets are not smooth or coarsely pubescent. They are 10-20 cm (3.9-7.9 in) long and typically deciduous. Greenish-yellow blooms are seen.

The fruit has six vertical lines or furrows and is roughly spherical, pale greenish-yellow, smooth, and firm in appearance. The fruit can reach a diameter of 26 mm (1.0 in), and although the fruit of wild plants weighs about 5.5 g (0.19 oz), farmed fruits weigh between 28.4 g (1.00 oz) and 56 g on average (2.0 oz).

The berries, which ripen in the autumn, are manually harvested after being climbed to higher branches containing the fruits. Indian embricate is highly fibrous and has a sour, bitter, and astringent flavour.

Buddhist symbolism

The fruits of the emollient myrobalan are frequently mentioned in the Buddhist tradition. Buddha's knowledge is compared to an ambalan fruit in the palms of your hands in the poetic simile "O Bhagavan, the complete origination of all forms of things through time is within the scope of your intellect" found in the "atapacatka."

The great Indian king Asoka gave the Buddhist sangha one last gift: a half-amalaka fruit. The Ashokavadana states the following verses to show this: "A great benefactor, the lord of men, the illustrious Maurya Ashoka, has gone from just being master of Jambudvipa [all continents] to becoming lord of half a myrobalan." [8] This plant is credited by Theravada Buddhism's twenty-first Buddha, Phussa Buddha, as the Bodhi tree that helped him achieve enlightenment.

Traditional uses

There are lot of uses in amla such as

1. Culinary uses

The amla fruit is consumed raw or prepared into a variety of recipes, including amle ka murabbah, a delicious dish created by immersing the fruits in syrup until they have been candied, and dal (a lentil preparation). Traditionally, it is ingested after meals.

2. Traditional medicine

Dried and fresh plant fruits are used regularly as components in Ayurvedic treatments.

These fruits have a bitter flavour that may be caused by a high density of ellagitannins, such as emblicanin A (37%), emblicanin B (33%), punigluconin (12%), and pedunculagin (14%), and they contain high levels of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) [13]. [14] Punicafolin, phyllemblin A, and other polyphenols such as flavonoids, kaempferol, ellagic acid, and gallic acid are also found in amla.

Amla Benefits and Medicinal Uses

  • Enhanced immunity Amla has antibacterial and astringent characteristics that boost the immune system of the body.

  • Hair maintenance.

  • Reduces tension.

  • Eye Care.

  • Respiratory Health.

  • Anemia Treatment.

  • Blood Purifier.

  • Diuretic

Potential benefits

There are several potential advantages of using Indian gooseberry, but many of these need to be confirmed by higher-quality human trials.

1. Heartburn

  • Taking 1,000 mg of amla fruit pills daily for four weeks in 68 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), which is characterised by recurrent heartburn, looked at how it affected GERD symptoms.
  • Researchers found that the frequency and severity of heartburn and vomiting were reduced more frequently and more severely in the amla fruit group than in the placebo group.

2. Anti-aging

  • Indian gooseberry may offer some promising anti-ageing properties due to its high vitamin C content. Antioxidant vitamin C may help reduce your body's natural ageing process by preventing cellular damage.
  • Some of the anti-ageing benefits of Indian gooseberry include:
  • Skin. Indian gooseberry, in addition to its antioxidant properties, may help stop the deterioration of collagen, the protein that creates the hard but flexible protein matrix in your skin and soft tissues.
  • Hair. In Thailand, Indian gooseberry extract is frequently used to encourage hair growth, and some research suggests that it may suppress an enzyme that causes hair loss.
  • Vision. Indian gooseberry extract improved the mitochondrial health of eye cells in experiments in culture, preventing age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

3. Cancer

  • Indian gooseberry extracts have been shown to destroy some types of cancer cells in test tubes and animal tests, including breast, cervical, ovarian, and lung malignancies.
  • Additionally, because of their antioxidant properties, Indian gooseberry extracts might help prevent cancer. Indian gooseberry appears to be able to stop the cell alterations that cause cancer and tumour growth.

4. Heart health

Indian gooseberry is most frequently used to support heart health. Indian gooseberry may lower your risk of heart disease in a variety of ways, including

  • Antioxidant effects: Indian gooseberry extracts may offer a defence against the oxidative harm connected to heart injury. The results of numerous animal experiments have observed this.

  • Regulates endothelial function: According to research on adults with type 2 diabetes, consuming 1,000 mg of Indian gooseberry daily had endothelial function benefits comparable to those of the drug atorvastatin.

  • Anti-inflammatory effect: Indian gooseberry has been shown in human trials to significantly reduce inflammation, which is thought to be a major contributor to the development of heart disease.

  • Normalizes blood fat levels: Indian gooseberry supplements have been shown in human studies to enhance blood lipid profiles, including triglyceride, total, and LDL (poor) cholesterol reductions and HDL (good) cholesterol elevations.

  • Reduces blood pressure: By acting as a vasodilator or by enlarging the blood vessels, Indian gooseberry may assist in lowering high blood pressure levels. Heart disease is at risk due to high blood pressure.

  • Anti-platelet effects: Last but not least, taking Indian gooseberry supplements may help prevent the development of blood clots, which, if they block an artery, may result in a heart attack or stroke.

5. Blood sugar levels

In a short trial involving 32 participants, these results were also observed. Taking 1-3 grams of Indian gooseberry powder daily for 21 days resulted in considerably lower fasting and post-meal blood sugar levels compared to the control group.

6. Liver damage

In experiments on rats, Indian gooseberry extract prevented liver damage brought on by either a high-fat diet or the liver-toxic compound N-nitroso diethylamine. This is probably a result of its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

However, no research into this impact has been done on people.

Immune health

  • Last but not least, the vitamin C component of Indian gooseberry could have some immune-strengthening effects. The daily value (DV) for this vitamin is roughly 600–800% in a single Indian gooseberry.
  • Numerous approaches exist for using vitamin C to improve immunological function. Since it is an antioxidant, it reduces cellular harm and inflammation.
  • Chronic inflammation is a persistent immunological reaction that can worsen health, while short-term inflammation is a normal and healthy immune response.
  • A higher risk of conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, or autoimmune disorders is linked to chronic inflammation.
  • Additionally, vitamin C may strengthen your immune system by encouraging the growth of phagocytes, specialized immune cells that aid in scavenging dangerous intruders.
  • Additionally, it could aid in the production of antibodies that would protect you from any potential threats.

Potential downsides

A speciality Indian or Asian market may be your best bet for finding fresh Indian gooseberries if you don't live nearby. However, dried Indian gooseberries are still available online.

  • The use of it as a supplement may also have certain negative effects.
  • Indian gooseberry has anti-platelet characteristics that can thin the blood and stop regular blood clotting.
  • Before ingesting Indian gooseberry, consuming it as a tea, or taking it as a supplement, see your doctor if you have a blood clotting disorder or are taking a blood thinner.
  • Due to the danger of bleeding, you should cease taking Indian gooseberries before surgery.
  • In traditional medicine, bhumi amla is often used to treat various ailments, highlighting the importance of knowing its botanical name.
  • Many people seek information on the bhumi amla botanical name to explore its health benefits, including its anti-inflammatory and diuretic effects.
  • Learning about the Bhumi amla botanical name helps students in biology understand its classification and uses in both Ayurveda and modern medicine.
  • Additionally, there is some indication that it may lower blood glucose levels, so those who are managing type 1 or type 2 diabetes or other blood sugar-related disorders should be aware of this.
  • Additionally, the amla botanical name and family (Phyllanthaceae) indicate its classification within the plant kingdom, emphasizing its importance in Ayurvedic practices for rejuvenation and overall health.

To effectively prepare for the topic of amla, it is essential to understand various aspects, including study tips and strategies, the weightage of topics in different entrance exams, and the types of questions asked. Below are three tables that summarize these elements.

Tips, Tricks, and Strategies to Prepare for Amla

This table provides helpful tips and mnemonic devices to assist in studying the topic of amla effectively.

Tips and Strategies
Description
Mnemonic for Botanical Name
Remember "Amla Emblica" to recall Phyllanthus emblica.
Visual Learning
Use diagrams to visualize the plant structure and its parts.
Flashcards
Create flashcards with key facts about amla's benefits, uses, and properties.
Group Study
Discussing with peers can reinforce knowledge and clarify doubts.
Practice Questions
Solve previous years' questions related to amla to familiarize yourself with the exam pattern.

Additional Mnemonics for Amla Preparation

This table includes more mnemonic devices specifically designed to help remember key facts about amla, its benefits, and its uses.

Mnemonic
Description
Amla's Benefits
Antioxidants, Metabolism boost, Liver health, Anti-inflammatory (A.M.L.A)
Nutritional Content
C (for Vitamin C), F (for Fiber), A (for Antioxidants) (C.F.A)
Medicinal Uses of Amla
Digestion, Immunity, Skin health, Hair growth (D.I.S.H)
Family Name Recall
Phylum (Phyllanthaceae), Emblica (for amla), and Niruri (for bhumi amla) (P.E.N)
Plant Kingdom Classification
Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Angiosperms, Class: Eudicots (K.D.C)

Weightage of Topics in Amla For Different Entrance Exams

This table outlines the weightage of topics related to amla in various entrance exams.

Entrance Exam
Weightage of Amla Topic
Moderate (5-10% of Botany section)
Low (2-5% of Biology section)
Moderate (5% of Biology section)
Low (1-2% in Environmental Science)

Types of Questions Asked on the Amla in Different Exams

This table lists the types of questions related to amla that may appear in various entrance exams.

Entrance Exam
Types of Questions
NEET
- Identify the botanical name
- Explain medicinal uses
JEE
- Classification questions
- Application-based questions
AIIMS
- Short answer questions on properties
- Case studies
UPSC
- General knowledge questions about medicinal plants

These tables provide a structured approach to studying amla, helping students focus on key areas for effective preparation.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is amla used for medically?

Amla is anti-diabetic, hypolipidemic, anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, and anti-emetic, according to numerous studies. Various compound formulations, including Chyavanaprasa, Dhatriloha, Amalaki Rasayana, and Dhatryarishta, use the drug both alone and as an ingredient.

2. Which illness is treated by amla?

As a diuretic, laxative, liver tonic, refrigerant, stomachic, restorative, alterative, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, hair tonic, preventative of peptic ulcer and dyspepsia, and digestive aid, the fruit is used alone or in combination with other plants to treat a variety of illnesses, including the common cold and fever.

3. What drawbacks does amla have?

According to Dr. Batra, consuming too much amla can result in the following negative effects:

  • Heart patients need to exercise caution. Amla might potentially have certain adverse drug interactions with specific medicines.

  • It might cause acidity.

  • It might make stools tough.

  • Dehydration is a possibility.

  • It might result in skin issues.

  • Hair loss is possible.

4. Does amla raise blood pressure?

Amla raises your haemoglobin level and counts more red blood cells, which helps  purify your blood. Amla also contains a lot of antioxidants, which work to combat the free radicals that cause premature ageing. Amla treats acidity and facilitates digestion.

5. Who shouldn't consume amla?

You are allowed to consume 1-2 almonds per day, either as juice or uncooked. However, it is always advised to speak with a doctor before beginning to consume it. If you have been diagnosed with low blood sugar levels, are breastfeeding, or are pregnant, you shouldn't eat amla.

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