Emblica officinalis (Phyllanthus emblica) – Phyllánthus émblica L. = Émblica officinális Gaertn. (from the Greek. phyllon – leaf and anthos – flower; Latinis. Bengali name. plant. amlaki) – fruit tree, one of the species of the genus Phillantus. One of the well-known mirobalans, which have the trade name “emblica”.
Other names: amla, amalaki, Indian gooseberry, emblica, gray balan gray.
This is a deciduous tree from the euphorbia family, reaching 4-5 m in height. The trunk has a brown bark with easily detachable layers.
The leaves are small, 10-13 mm long and 2-3 mm wide.
Flowers unisexual, nondescript, green. Both male and female flowers are collected in brushes located in the axils of the leaves. Male flowers are located below female. It blooms in winter and summer.
Fruits are round, smooth, with notches at the base, have six straight lines dividing the fruit into six equal parts or segments. The fruits, as they ripen, acquire a brick-red color and an astringent, tart, very sour taste.
The fruits contain a significant amount of ascorbic acid, as well as nicotinic acid, carotene, riboflavin, thiamine bromide, methionine, tryptophan, calcium, iron, phosphorus. The fruits are rich in flavonoids, tannins and pectin.
Seeds contain proteolytic and litholytic enzymes, essential oil.
The plant grows in dry larch forests in various regions of Central and South India, Ceylon, Madagascar, Malaya, and China. Widely cultivated in South and North America, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Panama and other areas of Central America.
Fruits are widely used both in fresh form and for the preparation of various juices, drinks, medicines. This is one of the most common anti-zingotic drugs.
Used in the form of therapeutic lozenges and tablets. In Indian medicine, it is used in the treatment of pneumonia, pulmonary tuberculosis, as well as a digestive stimulant, a drug for the treatment of diabetes, hemorrhage, diarrhea. Fruits serve as raw materials for vitamin C and various extraction preparations.
The phyllanthus emblica is used in Ayurvedic medicine, is part of the Ayurvedic medicines chavanprash, triphala, and is also part of other Ayurvedic remedies. Since ancient times, Amla oil has been used to strengthen hair.
It is part of Livofer ultra, Purin ultra, Midona ultra, Stonil ultra, Suhasini ultra, Safaya ultra, Esinorm ultra, Amiripash ultra.