Amla

Names and identification

Language	Name
English	Amla
Common Names	Indian Gooseberry, Amalaki
Hindi	Amla, Aonla
Sanskrit	Amalaki, Dhatri
Latin/Botanical	Phyllanthus emblica (syn. Emblica officinalis)

Parts Used

• Fruit
• Seed
• Bark
• Leaf

Dosha Effects

Dosha	Effect
Vata	Decreases
Kapha	Decreases
Pitta	Decreases

Key Phytochemical Constituents

• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
• Gallic acid
• Ellagic acid
• Tannins (emblicanin A & B)
• Phyllemblin

Therapeutic Actions (Karma)

• Antioxidant (rich natural source of Vitamin C)
• Rasayana (rejuvenative)
• Hepatoprotective
• Anti-diabetic
• Immunomodulator
• Hair tonic

How does it work?

• Active compounds: Over 180 identified compounds including gallic acid, ellagic acid, chebulinic acid, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, polysaccharides.
• Antioxidant: Potent DPPH radical scavenging and reducing power; super antioxidant properties confirmed by genomic analysis.
• Anti-inflammatory: RBC membrane stabilization; 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX) inhibition; regulates multiple inflammopathic checkpoints.
• Anti-diabetic (multi-mechanism): Inhibition of digestive enzymes (alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase), stimulation of glycogen storage, activation of insulin signaling, inhibition of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs).
• Adipogenesis inhibition: Tannin content prevents adipogenesis and increases glucose uptake by enhancing peripheral insulin sensitivity.
• Neuroprotection: Targets MAPK3, SRC, MAPK1; modulates neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions and serotonergic synapses.
• Hepatoprotective and nephroprotective: Cytoprotective effects on liver and kidney tissues.
• Immunomodulatory and antiviral: Immunomodulatory and antiviral activity reported in studies.

How is it used traditionally?

One of the three fruits in Triphala. Classified as best among Rasayana (rejuvenatives) and Vayasthapana (anti-aging) herbs by Charaka. Key ingredient in Chyawanprash.

Where is it described in the classical texts?

• Charaka Samhita (Vayasthapana group - anti-aging)
• Sushruta Samhita
• Bhavaprakasha Nighantu
• Ashtanga Hridaya

What do recent studies show?

• Setayesh L, Haghighat N, Rasaei N and others 2023. The impact of Emblica Officinalis (Amla) on lipid profile, glucose, and C-reactive protein: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Diabetes & metabolic syndrome. PMID 36934568 · doi:10.1016/j.dsx.2023.102729
  Meta-analysis of RCTs showed amla supplementation significantly improved lipid profiles (reduced LDL, elevated HDL), lowered glucose levels, and reduced C-reactive protein in adults.
• Varnasseri M, Siahpoosh A, Hoseinynejad K and others 2022. The effects of add-on therapy of Phyllanthus Emblica (Amla) on laboratory confirmed COVID-19 Cases: A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Complementary therapies in medicine. PMID 35093510 · doi:10.1016/j.ctim.2022.102808
  Amla add-on therapy showed significant improvements in fever, cough severity, shortness of breath, myalgia, increased oxygen saturation, and reduced lung involvement on CT in COVID-19 patients.
• Akhbari M, Firooz A, Rahimi R and others 2024. The effect of an oral product containing Amla fruit (Phyllanthus emblica L.) on female androgenetic alopecia: A randomized controlled trial. Journal of ethnopharmacology. PMID 37487962 · doi:10.1016/j.jep.2023.116958
  Triple-blind RCT with 60 women showed amla syrup (3x daily for 12 weeks) helped treat androgenic hair loss and increased the anagen (growth) phase of hair follicles.
• Kapoor MP, Suzuki K, Derek T and others 2020. Clinical evaluation of Emblica Officinalis Gatertn (Amla) in healthy human subjects: Health benefits and safety results from a randomized, double-blind, crossover placebo-controlled study. Contemporary clinical trials communications. PMID 31890983 · doi:10.1016/j.conctc.2019.100499
  500 mg/day amla for 18 weeks improved blood fluidity, lowered von Willebrand factor, reduced oxidative stress markers, improved HDL, and lowered LDL cholesterol.
• Xiao L, Chen W, Guo W and others 2025. Exploring the mechanism of action of Phyllanthus emblica in the treatment of epilepsy based on network pharmacology and molecular docking. Medicine. PMID 39960946 · doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000041414
  Network pharmacology identified neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions, nitrogen metabolism, and serotonergic synapses as key pathways. Molecular docking showed strong binding to MAPK3, SRC, and MAPK1 targets.

Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

• Generally nontoxic: Artemia nauplii bioassays confirmed all extracts nontoxic (2024-2025 studies).
• GI effects: Cramping or diarrhea possible at high doses (>5 g/day).
• Drug interactions with anticoagulants: Possible interaction with warfarin and clopidogrel; pharmacodynamic study documented with clopidogrel and ecosprin in Type II diabetes patients.
• Hypoglycemia risk: May interact with anti-diabetic medications; blood sugar monitoring recommended.
• Iron absorption: High tannin content may reduce non-heme iron uptake; caution in iron-deficient individuals. An in vitro study of amla added to cereals and pulses found no net improvement in iron availability, the tannins offsetting the ascorbic acid (Gowri BS, Platel K, Prakash J, Srinivasan K 2001. Nutrition Research 21(12):1483-1492. doi:10.1016/s0271-5317(01)00362-1).
• Surgery precaution: May affect bleeding risk and drug metabolism; caution before medical procedures.
• Antibacterial synergy: Phyllanthus emblica extracts show synergistic interactions with certain antibiotics (2025 study), which could affect antibiotic dosing.

Recommended Dosage

Fresh fruit: 1-2 fruits/day; Powder (Churna) and Juice: see Standard Dosage under Dosage forms and preparation

Safety, contraindications and cautions

• May lower blood sugar (monitor with diabetes medications)

What is it made of?

Part(s) Analyzed: Fruit

Tannins (Hydrolyzable)

• Emblicanin A (2-5%)
• Emblicanin B
• Punigluconin
• Pedunculagin
• Corilagin
• Geraniin
• Ellagitannins

Phenolic Acids

• Gallic acid (1-3%)
• Ellagic acid
• Chebulic acid
• Chebulagic acid

Flavonoids

• Quercetin
• Kaempferol
• Rutin

Vitamins

• Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C, 600-1800 mg/100g fresh fruit)
• Vitamin C (most stable natural form due to tannin complex)

Nutritional Profile

• Vitamin C: 600-1800 mg/100g fresh fruit
• Iron: 1.2 mg/100g
• Calcium: 50 mg/100g
• Phosphorus: 21 mg/100g
• Fiber: 3.4%

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Swarasa (fresh juice), Capsule, Tablet, Avaleha/Chyawanprash (confection), Amalaki Rasayana, Triphala component, Murabba (preserve), Taila (hair oil)

Standard Dosage: 3-6g powder twice daily; 5 to 10 ml fresh juice (Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part I, Vol. I); 500mg-1g extract capsule twice daily; 1-2 tsp Chyawanprash daily

Optimal Timing: Morning on empty stomach for Rasayana effects; at bedtime with warm milk for rejuvenation

Storage: Airtight containers, cool and dry place below 25°C. Protect from light (photo-degradation of vitamin C and tannins). Hygroscopic powder requires desiccant in packaging.

Marker Compounds: Gallic acid, Ellagic acid, Emblicanin A, Emblicanin B, Phyllemblin, Corilagin, Chebulagic acid, Ascorbic acid, Punigluconin

Synergistic Combinations

• With Haritaki and Vibhitaki in Triphala (synergistic antioxidant and digestive action)
• With Ashwagandha in Chyawanprash for Rasayana (rejuvenation)
• With Pippali for Dhatri Rasayana
• With Yashtimadhu for gastric mucosal protection
• With Bhringaraja for hair health