Amla or Indian gooseberry is a popular fruit, which is being used in India since ancient times for its numerous nutritional benefits. Summer is almost here and we advise you to have this sour-bitter fruit to stay cool and calm in the heat of the day. Here’s a look at some of the useful benefits of Amla in the summer season and some easy ways to have it…
Amla as a Summer Coolant
This green and extremely sour-tasting fruit works as an excellent coolant in summer. Therefore, eating a raw Amla in the summer season keeps the body cool, protecting it from ‘Loo’ or hot winds that sweep across the entire North, East and Central India.
Storehouse of Vitamins
Amla juice contains 20 times more vitamin C than orange juice. This vitamin improves the tannins, required to shield heat and light. It reverses the ageing effects caused by harsh UV sun rays, which can lead to skin cancers.
Skin Care
Amla is also a great refresher. During summer season, Amla juice keeps your skin cool by releasing heat from the body and thus, preventing heat boils, rashes and acne. It also provides the body with iron, vitamin C, potassium and fibre.
Hair Care
Long, dark and thick hair is what we all want! Amla is known to enrich hair texture and is good for its growth. It strengthens the roots of hair, maintains colour and improves luster. You can either eat fresh gooseberry or apply its paste on hair roots. Amla oil is very popular in India because it has been proven to reduce the chances of hair loss and baldness.
Ayurvedic properties
The word Amla is derived from the Sanskrit word "amlaki". According to Ayurveda, cooling properties balance both vata and pitta, whereas its drying properties have a balancing effect on the kapha dosha.
Heart Diseases
It is a known fact that hot weather in summer increases the risk of heart attacks. No wonder, several people lose their lives due to heat strokes in the month of May and June. Amla’s strong antioxidant properties protects heart, lungs, brain and skin. It strengthens the heart muscles, lowers cholesterol and controls hypertension.
Diabetes
Amla is also extremely beneficial for diabetic patients. Indian Gooseberry stimulates the isolated group of cells that secrete the hormone insulin and thus, reduces blood sugar in diabetic patients.
The benefits of amla are endless and the list can actually go on and on. In short, one can say, that if you want to include a healthy herb in your diet, include amla. Its manifold benefits will surely not disappoint you in any way.
Menstrual Cramps
Essential minerals and vitamins present in Alma combine to make it very useful for alleviating menstrual cramps. It takes time to notice visible results from the intake of Amla as the necessary elements takes time to accrue in the body. Thus, it is advisable to better to consume Alma on a regular basis so it is always in the system and menstrual cramps can be prevented every women.
Non-Perishable
A wonderful quality of Amla is that heat or drying does not reduce its nutritional properties. So even in the heat of the summer, when power cuts are common and other fruits and veggies get spoilt, your Amla will last for more than ten days and will not lose its qualities.
Anti-Aging Properties
Antioxidants present in amla reduces the amount of free radicals in the body and prevents health-related hyperlipidaemia. Free radicals are associated with signs of aging like wrinkles and age spots.
Did you know that there is a festival called "Amala Navami" celebrated at the commencement of the winter, on the 11th day of waxing moon. This day generally falls between February and March each year. During this occasion, the Amla tree is worshipped with great religious fervor!