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 (highest natural 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: Broad-spectrum immune support and documented antiviral activity.

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 clinical trials 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.

1 further claim previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and has been removed. 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.
• 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): 3-6g/day; Juice: 10-20ml/day

Safety, contraindications and cautions

• May lower blood sugar (monitor with diabetes medications)
• Iron absorption enhancement (caution with hemochromatosis)

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%

Analytical Methods: HPLC-PDA (polyphenols), Titration (Vitamin C), UV spectrophotometry

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; 15-30ml fresh juice; 500mg-1g extract capsule twice daily; 1-2 tsp Chyawanprash daily

Bioavailability: Excellent bioavailability due to natural vitamin C content (ascorbic acid is well absorbed, but Amla vitamin C is more stable due to tannin complexation). Gallic acid and ellagic acid have moderate oral bioavailability (25-30%). Ellagitannins are metabolized to urolithins by colonic microbiota. The tannin-vitamin C complex provides sustained release of vitamin C (higher AUC than synthetic ascorbic acid). Emblicanin A and B show good absorption.

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

Standardized Extract: Standardized to minimum 40% tannins (as gallic acid equivalent) OR minimum 20% vitamin C (natural). Low-tannin extract for palatability: 10% tannins, 30% vitamin C. Emblicanin-enriched extract: minimum 10% emblicanins A+B.

Shelf Life: 2 years (powder); 3 years (tablets/capsules); 2 years (Chyawanprash); 1 year (preserved juice); 18 months (Murabba, refrigerated)

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

Extraction Methods

• Aqueous extraction (hot water, 80°C, 2 hours)
• Hydroalcoholic extraction (50:50 ethanol-water)
• Spray drying of juice concentrate
• Supercritical CO2 for tannin-enriched extract
• Traditional Swarasa (fresh juice expression and preservation with self-generated preservatives)

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 (iron absorption enhancement)
• With Yashtimadhu for gastric mucosal protection
• With Bhringaraja for hair health