Emblica officinalis, also called Phyllanthus emblica, is a tree native to India and the Middle East. Its common name is Indian gooseberry. This plant plays an important role in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, in which it is known by the Hindi name "amla." Amla has strong antioxidant properties, explains Drugs.com, as the fruit contains a high concentration of ascorbic acid and the fruit and leaves contain phenols. Amla roots, which contain glycoside and tannin components, also are used in herbal medicine. Though most research on amla has been done with animals, very few studies have provided insight on benefits for humans according to physician and medical writer Ray Sahelian.
Pancreatitis Complementary Therapy
Amla may be beneficial as a complementary therapy for pancreatitis, an inflammation of the pancreas, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Although you should never use herbs alone to treat this serious condition, the UMMC recommends taking 3 to 6 g of Indian gooseberry powder daily in addition to conventional medical treatment, because antioxidants may have beneficial effects on pancreatitis. Talk with your doctor about using amla before beginning herbal therapy.
Reducing Cholesterol
Amla supplements may decrease cholesterol levels, as shown by a study published in the November 1988 issue of the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition." In men aged 35 to 55 years old with high cholesterol or normal cholesterol levels, cholesterol levels decreased while taking amla for 28 days. The men who had initially been diagnosed with high cholesterol experienced a return of their cholesterol levels to nearly the initial numbers within two weeks after discontinuing the supplement.
Anti-Ulcer Benefits
Animal research indicates possible anti-ulcer activity of amla, as noted in a study published in the September 2002 issue of "Phytomedicine." Administering amla extract to rats during this research reduced experimentally-induced gastric secretion, inhibited the development of gastric lesions, and reduced injury to the gastric mucous membrane layer that allows the stomach to contain acid.
Liver Protective Effects
Animal research published in the March 2005 issue of "Phytotherapy Research" found that amla extract has properties that may protect the liver against harmful effects of drugs used to treat tuberculosis. These drugs include rifampicin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide either alone or in combination. Additionally, a study published in the Oct. 11, 2006 issue of the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" found liver protective effects of amla on ethanol-induced liver injury in rats. These rats also showed enhanced liver cell recovery.
Reducing Blood Sugar
People have traditionally used amla for treating diabetes, although no research with humans has investigated that potential benefit according to Sahelian. Amla does decrease blood sugar levels in rats with an induced diabetic state according to Drugs.com. Additionally, a study published in the March 12, 2004 issue of "Molecular Vision" notes that tannoids in amla may be beneficial for managing secondary complications of diabetes, including cataracts.
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