Let’s Know The Science ( Native) -Gooseberry / Amla

How many of us know that one gooseberry is equal to three apples?

Gooseberry is the only fruit has contains many nutrients required by the body. Gooseberry is rich in vitamin C, antioxidant nutrients, protein, calcium, iron and magnesium. About 600 mg of vitamin C is available in gooseberry. When you press the gooseberry, we will get six splits. If we eat two splits of it daily, we can avoid all diseases. Gooseberry also prevents seasonal diseases.

Consuming gooseberry regularly will strengthen the immune system. It is a boon for diabetics, and it is anti-aging. That is why all of us have read/heard that the Tamil poet ‘Athiyaman’ gave the ‘Sagavaram Nellikani’ to his grandmother to extend her life.

Gooseberry is called as Dadri. Gooseberry has a place in the triangular nest called Triphala (Chebulic Myrobalan, Gooseberry, Bellerica). In the following series, we will discuss Chebulic Myrobalan and Bellerica in detail. Now, let’s see about gooseberry.

Gooseberry has been used as a medicinal herb in Siddha and Ayurvedic medicine since Sangam times.

It has 5 flavors except salt. They are bitter, sour, astringent, sweet and freezing taste. With these 5 flavors, it has the power to flush out waste from our body. The tree starts flowering at the beginning of rainy season and bears fruit in winter season.

Gooseberry has two other varieties: — Dark Gooseberry (dark mixed) which is very rare and Little Gooseberry.

Gooseberry homeland is India, it has digestible, drying and cooling properties to our body. That is why it is called Sita Viryram.

Gooseberry can be eaten in many ways, just by biting the fruit. Its sourness makes it difficult for some people to eat, so our ancestors found many ways. Instead of as thogaiyal, pickles, side dish, honey dipped and instead of tamarind we can crush gooseberry to make Rasam. During summer, it can be eaten as dry. Also, the dried Amla can be powdered and eaten.

Medicinal Benefits of Gooseberry:

Diabetes: As mentioned earlier this is a boon for diabetics. This is because it stimulates the production of insulin in the body. If people with diabetes eat it, the blood sugar levels will come under control. Gooseberry keeps blood sugar levels under control.

Helps in weight loss: Gooseberry can remove waste from our body avoids it to stay in the body and this will protect our health. Those who are suffering from obesity can drink gooseberry juice with ginger juice on an empty stomach in the morning.

Improves Immunity: Gooseberry is must during cold season. It helps to protect us from seasonal diseases like cold, cough and flu. It flushes out the Kapham in our body and the wastes come out of every cell as our body metabolizes. If these wastes are not removed, there is a possibility that the body starts from inflammation and can lead to cancer. Polyphenols, tannins, flavonoids in gooseberry provide immunity and prevents the above-mentioned problems.

Improves heart health: Gooseberry controls cell damage in our body. It also can dissolve bad fats that accumulate in the body. In that way it helps in improving heart health. By eating Amla daily, our skin will look younger. Also, if you drink gooseberry juice daily in moderation, you can correct heart problems.

Solves skin problems: Gooseberry juice is very good for curing skin problems. Especially people with acne and pimples can get rid of it by drinking it.

Cures Stomach Ulcers: It heals the infections in the body quickly. Gooseberry plays an important role in the preparation of ‘Triphala’ Surana which controls stomach related diseases.

Prevents infections: Gooseberry can also control viral diseases. Fruits like grapes, oranges and lemons contain vitamin C. It has more vitamin C than any other fruit. During Covid times, it was used widely.

Protects hair: Gooseberry is used in hair growth oils and hair dyes because it helps the hair to grow dark and denser.

Cures blood related diseases: Gooseberry is a good medicine for anemia. It increases hemoglobin level in blood, and it increases the number of red blood cells and improves memory.

Few other benefits are: As gooseberry is rich in calcium, bones get strong. If you drink gooseberry juice, your eyesight will increase. Gooseberry juice flushes out toxins from the body and prevents premature aging.

A cut gooseberry can be placed in a kid’s water bottle. By drinking this gooseberry-soaked water, kids will get enough vitamin C. However, you should avoid giving gooseberry to kids after 5 pm.

Eating curd alone for a long time may cause some damage. But Ayurveda says there is no such impact when we eat gooseberry.