Amalaki: Getting to Know Your Herbal Allies

Author : Admin   |   Date: Sep 07, 2019
category : Ayurveda Treatment

Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) is one of the most popular herbs in the Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia—and for good reason. Sattvic, versatile, rejuvenating, and great for all doshas, amalaki is the perfect herb to welcome into practically everyone’s daily routines, either on its own or in a formula. This versatility and the deep support it provides to overall health and well-being makes amalaki an enduring favorite here at Banyan!

Whether you already have a strong relationship with amalaki or you’re just getting acquainted with it, you may find, as we have, that amalaki is a true lifelong ally, one that loyally offers daily support on the quest for balance. It’s nothing short of inspirational in all that it offers!

he amalaki tree grows throughout the subcontinent of India. These somewhat small trees (at least, compared to other beloved trees used in Ayurvedic herbalism, like the giant bibhitaki and the towering neem) grow wild throughout the landscape.

The trees themselves are slim and graceful with airy, feathery leaves, and vibrant green, small, round, and surprisingly hard fruits. These fruits contain the magic of amalaki that Ayurveda has reverently used for millennia. Tasting an amalaki fruit will give you a direct experience of one of its names—amla, which translates as sour because—you guessed it!—amalaki is incredibly sour!

Another name for amalaki is dhatri, which translates as both nurse and mother—or nurse mother—and even as immortality.1 These various translations summarize amalaki’s deeply revered reputation. In fact, all historical references, legends, and myths that include amalaki (and believe us, there are a lot!) shed some light on how amalaki truly deserves the name of dhatri.

This connection with divinity and longevity permeates amalaki’s Ayurvedic properties as well. It is recognized as an amazing rasayana, or rejuvenative, to the entire system. Among other outcomes, rejuvenation can aid in youthfulness and a healthy, strong immune system. Rejuvenation is a vital concept in Ayurveda, and substances that can nourish and tonify certain organs, let alone the whole self—like amalaki—have a place of honor in Ayurvedic herbology.