Amalaki: Application and Effect of the Amla berry

Strengthening, balancing, even rejuvenating: the Amla fruit is said to have these and other effects. Find out what Amalaki is all about, why Amla oil is a real insider tip for hair and what Amla capsules and powders can do for your hair here!

What is Amalaki fruit?

Amalaki, Amla, Indian gooseberry – the fruit of the Amla tree has many names. Originally this tree can be found all over India, South Asia and parts of East Africa. But why is it that Amla is no longer only famous in India? How can one imagine the effect of the much-praised little superfruit?

Amalaki in Ayurveda

The Amalaki tree plays a vital role in Indian tradition – so large in fact that the tree is considered a sacred plant in India and has its holiday. The amla berry is regarded as a fountain of youth and is an indispensable part of everyday life for most people in India.

And what is the Ayurveda teaching about Amalaki? Of course: Also very positive! Because the Amla fruit combines five of the six flavours in itself. It is primarily sour, but also bitter, sweet, spicy and tart (astringent). Through this almost unique combination, Amla can bring all three Doshas back into a harmonious balance.

Amalaki is often combined with Haritaki and Bibhitaki in Ayurvedic products. The result is Triphala (translated “three fruits”), one of the most famous herbal mixtures in Ayurveda. Whether used in this combination or alone, Amla berries are considered helpful for various ailments. From coughs, headaches and digestive disorders to chronic diseases, people trust the fruits in many situations.

What effect does Amla have?

Amla fruits are true multi-talents, it seems. They contain a lot of heat-resistant vitamin C, carotene, riboflavin, iron and calcium. And this is only a small selection of the substances that are necessary for our health and beautiful skin and hair.

The vitamin C content alone significantly strengthens the immune system. As a dietary supplement, Amalaki powder or capsules ensure that infections don’t stand a chance and that we feel more powerful.

From an Ayurvedic point of view, Amla is unique because it calms a very excited Pitta and prevents hyperacidity. Of course, these health-promoting states can be achieved in the same way with other plants. But no other natural remedy works as gently as Amalaki.

Amla oil, Amla powder or Amla capsules? The application

One thing is sure: Amla does good. But how can it be applied concretely? In principle, you have three possibilities:

Amla powder, which you can mix with water to a versatile paste

You can apply the paste either to care for your facial skin or to relieve pain, for example, on the scalp in case of headaches or minor burns.

Amalaki capsules, which you can easily take every day

With Amalaki capsules, you can generally promote your health by strengthening the immune system and preventing hyperacidity. The nice side effect is that you will soon see that Amla provides the body with many essential nutrients.

Amla oil, which you can massage into the scalp

Properly used, Amalaki has many advantages. But what does “right” mean in this case? Here are some tips on what you should pay attention to if you want to try the small energy packages from the Amla tree for yourself:

When buying them, please pay attention to their origin and only use products from purely organic cultivation that do not contain any artificial additives. So you can be sure to enjoy the natural power of the Amla fruitfully.

If you take Amla capsules or powder to improve your health, you should take care not to consume more than 2-5 g per day. Because as always in Ayurveda (and in life in general!) it is essential to find the balance. Too much Amalaki, for example, can lead to digestive problems, but the right dose will support your Agni optimally.

If you are taking the medication regularly, we advise you to talk to your doctor before taking Amalaki. In this way, undesirable interactions can be avoided.

So much for the health benefits of the Amla berry, but apart from that, Amalaki is also an increasingly popular hair care product. Why this is so and how you can use Amla oil for your hair, we will explain now!

Amalaki is a natural hair treatment: Amla oil for the hair.

Beautiful, thick, shiny hair is promised by almost every well-known manufacturer of hair cosmetics. However, one can promise a lot – and often, the disappointment is great when the desired effect is not achieved. But what about natural products like Amla oil? What can one expect from them?

The effect of Amla on the hair

In short, Amalaki has the following effects on the hair: it strengthens the hair roots and improves the health of the scalp. And the reason for brittle, weak hair that falls out quickly is primarily a dry scalp with weakened hair follicles.

In other words: on a healthy scalp, hair can grow stronger and gets more shine. Dandruff and itching are also a thing of the past. Amla oil is also said to prolong the growth cycle so that the scalp hair becomes thicker. The oil inhibits the so-called 5-alpha-reductase, a process that makes the hair thinner or even leads to hair loss.

However, there are also some tips for hair care with Amla oil that we would like to share with you:

• Massage the oil into the scalp 2-3 times a week and let it work for at least an hour or overnight before washing it out. If you choose the last option, it is best to put a towel over your pillow or put on a shower cap. You can apply the oil to wet or dry hair.
• Amla Oil is a natural product and does not contain artificial fragrances. Some people first have to get used to the herbal smell.
• As with any oil treatment for the hair, the same applies when washing out: Be careful in the shower, because the oil makes the floor slippery.

By the way, if you don’t want to work with pure Amla oil, you can buy a high-quality Amalaki powder instead and mix it with the oil you usually use, such as coconut or jojoba oil. There are also amla shampoos, but when you buy them, make sure that they don’t contain any silicones or kerosenes and that Amalaki is listed as one of the ingredients as far ahead as possible.

Amla and grey hair

Amalaki is said to have an antioxidant effect, which means it can slow down the ageing process. There are no scientific studies on this, but it is assumed that Amla delays the point at which melanin production is slowed down.

Melanin is the pigment that gives hair its natural colour. So the longer melanin is produced, the longer the hair colour is preserved. It is also often reported that haircare with Amla makes the natural colour stand out more.

The thick, full hair of Indian women is of course not automatically obtained by Amla. However, Amalaki capsules or powders improve the health of the whole body, which contributes significantly to clean skin and a healthy scalp. Feel good thanks to a real miracle cure from nature: There is a good reason why Amla is so valued in Ayurveda!