<i>Phyllanthus emblica Linn.</i> (Amla) - A Natural Gift to Humans: An Overview

Medicinal plants are the precious gift of nature which plays vital role in healthcare system of developing nation and potent source of medicament to heal various diseases in the world. It plays a vital role to preserve our health. Medicinal plants are believed to be much safer. These days, the use of herbal products has become the foremost option for human all over the world because of curing treatment without any side effect. Ayurveda, the oldest health system in the world, provokes the uses amla to treat a host of diseases and promote positive health. It is a well-known fact that all parts of amla are useful in the treatment of various diseases. Among all, the most important part is fruit. Amla fruit is the richest source of vitamin C. Chemical composition of the amla fruit contains more than 80% of water. It also contains protein, carbohydrates, fiber, amino acids and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, niacin, carotene, thiamine, riboflavin etc. The chemical constituents present in the plant include tannins, gallic acid, ellagic acid, emblicol, phyllembin, lupeol, essential oil, fixed oil etc. Amla fruit is widely used as diuretic, laxative, liver tonic, antipyretic, hair tonic, ulcer preventive and for common cold, fever as alone or in combination with other plants. Research reports on amla reveals its analgesic, anti-tussive, cardioprotective, cytoprotective, immunomodulatory, chemopreventive, antioxidant, memory enhancing, anticancer, antidiabetic and some others properties. In this article, we review the morphology, distribution, nutritional value, chemical constituents, medicinal uses of amla.