Amla Paste: Benefits, Uses & Traditional Applications

Amla paste is made from an edible fruit of the Indian gooseberry tree (Phyllanthus emblica). The berries have a sour, bitter, astringent taste and are high in vitamin C and tannin. Amla has purported medicinal properties and is used for cooking, in skin and hair products and for other uses.

Hair and Skin

• Amla is a common ingredient in shampoos, conditioners and hair oils. It is used to straighten hair and treat premature graying and hair loss. Ink from the dried fruit is used in hair dye. Alma powder is made into a paste by adding water. It can be used as an exfoliating and astringent cleanser for the face and skin.

Pottery

• Amla paste is also used to make simulated pottery. The surface is decorated with seeds.

Food

• In India, Amla is eaten raw or cooked. The raw gooseberries are often pickled or soaked in sugar syrup to improve their taste. They're also used to make dal, an Indian lentil dish.

Medicine

• The Indian gooseberry tree has been used in traditional Indian medicine for thousands of years. All parts of the tree are used. Amla is believed to improve digestion, energy and intelligence; reduce fever and cough; cure asthma; strengthen the heart; benefit the eyes; and stimulate hair growth. It is the main ingredient in a traditional rejuvenating compound and is being studied as a possible treatment for high cholesterol and other conditions. WebMD warns that women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should avoid this supplement until more is known about its safety.