In the process of researching the earlier page on amla health benefits I found many other interesting scientific studies on its potential to treat serious diseases.
An important caveat on some of these can be found in On Research Studies. In general though, I think they serve to illustrate just how broadly beneficial antioxidant rich amla can be to good health and disease prevention.
Let’s look at four important examples.
Osteoporosis and Arthritis Treatment
Certain cells known as osteoclasts are involved in bone loss in osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers found an amla extract was able to induce cell death in mature osteoclasts, thus potentially limiting the damage they can do to our bodies bones and joints.
Within the study they suggested amla as a potential alternative treatment for bone disease (Induction of apoptosis of human primary osteoclasts treated with extracts from the medicinal plant Emblica officinalis).
Liver Protection for Drinkers
Free radical damage is considered an underlying cause of alcohol induced liver complications. Three different animal studies have shown an extract of Indian gooseberries reduced oxidative stress to the liver. It also restored lowered levels of the vital antioxidants glutathione and superoxide dismutase (Protective Effect of Emblica officinalis Against Alcohol-Induced Hepatic Injury…).
Antibacterial and Antimicrobial Properties
New strains of bacteria are becoming more and more resistant to antibiotics. However, certain superfoods like amla have natural antibacterial and antimicrobial effects that may help to counteract these pathogens in your body.
Specifically, tests have shown that the pulp of Indian gooseberries is effective against staphylococcus, cholerae and pseduomoda bacteria (Comparative antimicrobial activities of Amla…).
Gastric Ulcer Prevention and Therapy
In a related benefit, an extract of Emblica Officinalis (amla fruit) was shown to inhibit the growth of the Helicobater pylori bacteria, responsible for painful gastric ulcers.
H. pylori is a particularly persistent gastric pathogen that can establish an infection in your stomach linings that may last for years, even decades. It has been estimated that around half of all people worldwide are infected with this organism.
While not everyone obviously developed ulcers from H. pylori, those that do have to live with reoccurring and painful stomach inflammations that often don’t respond well to conventional treatments.
Scientists studying amla’s usefulness against the Helicobater pylori bacteria said it was highly effective at controlling its growth and recommended it for therapeutic use against gastric ulcers (Anti-Helicobacter pylori and antioxidant properties of Emblica officinalis…).
Amla Uses
We’re probably only just scratching the surface of the scientifically approved uses for the amazing Indian gooseberry. I suspect there will be many more to come. Some people will prefer to wait a further 10 or 20 years for medical research to catch up to what Ayurvedic practitioners already know – amla is an extremely beneficial superfood for overall health, vitality and longevity.
If you’d like to try it for yourself a daily dose of the powdered fruit is a good place to start. See the previous page on how to use amla for different ways to take it and suggested dosage.
Ahead is a completely different use for Indian gooseberries with a special amla oil you can make at home.
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Photo 1 credit with thanks: Jonathaneo
Photo 2 credit with thanks: Thamizhpparithi_Maari