Medicinal Plants in India

Owing to fast paced world that we are living in, we are getting far from the nature. While the lifestyle that we live can have adverse effect on us, it is important to know that by introducing small changes in our daily life can go a long way in keeping us healthy and energetic. Therefore, the importance of Ayurveda holds true in today’s life as it is based on the principal of bringing us close to nature and relying on its natural powers to cure us and keep us healthy without any side effects.

Thanks to the use of natural ingredients and medicinal herbs, Ayurvedic medicines and products today have become a symbol of safety in contrast to synthetic drugs that are considered unsafe and hazardous for overall health.

One way of understanding the basic fundamentals of Indian Ayurved is to spend more time with nature and observe the plants and herbs. Each plant or herb has a specific quality and can be used to treat multitude of ailments and diseases. Medicinal plants like aloe, turmeric, tulsi, pepper, elachi and ginger are commonly used in a number of Ayurvedic home remedies and are considered to be the best aid among fighting ailments related to throat and skin. As a rich source of nutrients, anti-bacterial and antioxidant properties, ayurvedic herbs are non-toxic in nature and so the products or remedies made using them are often recommended for their high therapeutic value.

Treatment with herbal medicinal plants also hold a strong ground because these plants are considered to be safe and have no side effects. Since they are in sync with nature, they hold greater advantage over chemically treated products and synthetic medicines. As opposed to other drugs and medicines, Ayurvedic herbs are known to treat the disease from the root and thus aid in keeping you healthy and fit in the long run.

Apart from medicinal use, these herbs can also be used for purposes like pest control, natural dyes, and formulation of food items, teas and perfumes among others. If we look at various researches from across the world, a sudden spurt in cases of people turning to natural herbs for treatments and usage in everyday life has gone up significantly. Going back to the basics, people have realized the threat chemically treated products pose to their life and are rightly so adopting healthier ways of life by including Ayurveda and its principals as the mainstay of their life.

Today's medicinal plant is
Amla/Emblica officinalis/Indian Gooseberry/Amlaki

Its a middle sized deciduous tree with green globose fruits found wild throughout tropical India. The tree is extensively cultivated these days in many parts of India for its fruits.

Amla Benefits & Medicinal Uses
Indian Gooseberry has been given a prominent place in Ayurveda. In ancient India it was believed that Ambrosia (heavenly nectar) contained all rasas thereby, it could impart immortality. In that sense Amlaki and Hareetaki stand next by exhibiting five rasas. Therefore, Gooseberry is considered a "Rasayana" bestowed with anti-aging effects. Enthusiastic investigations on Amla substantiate almost all of its acclaimed properties. It has been identified to be a potent antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antistress etc. Apart from its medicinal use. It also finds an important place in traditional hair and skin care formulations. Its cytoprotective role has been investigated in detail. For Ayurveda Amlaki is considered to be a nature"s boon.

There are numerous Amla benefits and uses as follows:

Improves Immunity
Amla benefits include antibacterial & astringent properties which help improve the body's immunity system. Indian Gooseberry also increases white blood cells which help flush out the toxins from the body.
Hair Care
Amla is used in a lot of shampoos and conditioners owing to its rich antioxidant & iron content. Indian Gooseberry contains high levels of Vitamin C which helps reduce hair fall. It also strengthens the roots & maintains hair color. Antibacterial properties of Amla helps fight dandruff.
Reduces Stress
Amla is a great stress reliever which helps induce sleep and relieve headaches.
Eye Care
Amla is rich in carotene content which is well known for its powerful effect on vision-related conditions. Formulation made of Indian Gooseberry and Honey helps to improve eyesight, near-sightedness, and cataracts.
Respiratory Health
Amla proves beneficial against respiratory disorders. It helps to reduce cough, tuberculosis, throat infections and flu.
Treats Anemia
Amla is a rich source of iron, deficiency of which causes anemia.
Blood Purifier
Amla acts as an active blood purifier when consumed with honey.
Diuretic
Amla is also diuretic in nature. It means that Indian Gooseberry helps increase the volume and frequency of urination which improves the elimination of toxins from the body. Know more on detoxification .
Improve Digestion
Amla is rich in dietary fiber which helps improve the overall digestion process. Know more on how to improve digestion .
Absorbs Calcium
Amla benefits also include absorbing calcium which is an essential element for teeth, bones & hair.
Anti-aging
Amla reduces the number of free radicals in the body through its antioxidant properties. It helps reduce wrinkles, dark circles and other signs of aging. It also protects the body from radiation.
Improves Mental Functions
Daily consumption of Amla helps improves nerve health facilitating proper blood flow. It helps to prevent diseases like dementia and Alzheimer’s. Indian Gooseberry also helps improve concentration power and memory skills.
Weight Management
Amla is known to boost metabolism which helps reduce body fat. It is recommended to add Amla in one's daily diet.
Skin Care
Amla helps flush out the harmful toxins from the body reducing skin blemishes. The astringent properties of Indian Gososeberry help tighten the pores, giving you clear and healthy skin

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