In Indian culture, amla is considered a sacred fruit mentioned in several ancient texts, including the Vedas and the Puranas. According to Hindu mythology, the god Brahma was once engrossed in the meditation of Vishnu; tears started rolling down his eyes. The drop of tears fell to the earth. The amla tree germinated.
Amla is known for its high nutritional value and is considered a superfood. It is rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals and has provided a wide range of health benefits. Whether consumed raw, mixed with other herbs, or dried and used as a spice, amla fruit is still of the healthiest fruits.
Amla is known for its high concentration of antioxidants and ability to promote overall health and well-being.
Some of the key vitamins and minerals found in amla:
You can have an online dietician consultation for a quick review of amla and how to incorporate it into your food.
Amla has been shown to boost immunity in several ways. One of the primary ways it does this is by providing a high concentration of vitamin C. This powerful antioxidant helps protect the body against harmful free radicals and supports immune function. It also has antimicrobial properties that help fight harmful bacteria and viruses, preventing respiratory infections during the common cold and flu season. Amla Churan can be incorporated into the diet to boost immunity.
Amla is rich in fibre, which is important for maintaining a healthy digestive system. Fibre helps to add bulk to stools to prevent constipation and promote regular bowel movements. Amla contains compounds that have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation in the digestive system can contribute to conditions such as gastritis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which can cause pain, bloating, and diarrhea. Amla helps to reduce inflammation to alleviate these symptoms and promote better digestive health.
Amla is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, which can help to keep the skin and hair healthy and reduce the signs of ageing. In addition to its antioxidant properties, amla also has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce redness, swelling, and irritation in the skin. This can be particularly beneficial for people with inflammatory skin conditions such as acne and rosacea, a condition that causes redness and often small, red, pus-filled bumps on the face.
Amla also promotes calcium absorption for healthier bones, teeth, nails and hair. It also helps maintain healthy hair growth, delays premature greying, supports hair follicle and strengthens it. It also improves the overall health of the scalp. So hair thins less with age. Amla is also a natural conditioner that can help prevent dryness and breakage. It contains tannins that can help to seal the hair cuticle and reduce frizz, leaving the hair looking shiny and healthy.
Taking Amla churan ¼ to ½ teaspoon twice daily promotes blood circulation in the scalp and encourages hair growth.
Amla has shown blood sugar-lowering properties, making it beneficial for people with diabetes. Amla contains compounds such as polyphenols and flavonoids that can help to reduce blood sugar levels by inhibiting the absorption of carbohydrates and improving insulin sensitivity. This means your body can better regulate blood sugar levels and prevent spikes and crashes that can lead to health problems.
This herb effectively controls diabetes due to its high vitamin C content. One tablespoon of amla juice mixed with one cup of bitter gourd juice, taken daily for 2 months, stimulates the pancreas and allows it to secrete insulin, lowering blood sugar levels. Dietary restrictions should be strictly followed while taking this medicine. This mixture of juice can also prevent eye complications in patients with diabetes.
Amla has been shown to have several benefits for the heart and cardiovascular system, including reducing inflammation, improving circulation, and reducing the risk of blood clots. Chronic inflammation and oxidative stress can damage the walls of blood vessels and increase the risk of heart disease. Amla also helps lower cholesterol levels. It also helps to improve blood flow and circulation, making it a beneficial food for supporting cardiovascular health.
Also Read: Hypertension- 8 Ayurvedic Remedies To Manage High Blood Pressure
Inflammation is a natural response to injury or infection, but chronic inflammation can contribute to various health problems, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Amla is rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins that have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. Oxidative stress is another factor that can contribute to chronic disease. It occurs when an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body can lead to cellular damage and inflammation—the amla compounds help neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress.
Amla helps to improve memory, attention and overall cognitive function. The berries are good for the brain as it improves the coordination between dhi (intake), dhriti (retention) and smriti (retrieval). This helps to sharpen the intellect and mental performance. Amla also contains various important nutrients for brain health, including vitamins C, E, and polyphenols. These nutrients can help improve blood flow to the brain, enhancing cognitive function.
The Vitamin C present in amla helps to stimulate the production of white blood cells, which are important for fighting off infections. Amla is especially valuable in pulmonary tuberculosis, asthma and bronchitis. Overall, by boosting the immune system and having antimicrobial properties, amla may be good food for fighting respiratory infections and supporting overall respiratory health.
Amla is a natural diuretic which can help increase urine production and eliminate waste and toxins from the body. This can be helpful for people who are experiencing urinary tract infections, kidney stones, or other urinary system issues. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties reduce inflammation and improve overall urinary health.
Amla is low in calories and high in fibre. High-fibre foods help increase the feeling of fullness and reduce overall calorie intake, which can lead to weight loss. Amla has been shown to have anti-obesity properties. It contains compounds that can help reduce fat accumulation in the body and improve lipid metabolism. Oxidative stress has also been linked to obesity and metabolic disorders, and by reducing oxidative stress, amla may help to improve metabolic health and promote weight loss.
One eye condition that amla may be particularly beneficial for is cataracts. Cataracts are a clouding of the lens in the eye that can lead to vision loss. Amla helps the development and progression of cataracts by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the eye. The juice should be taken twice a day or as prescribed by your online dietician consultant.
Anaemia is when a person has a lower-than-normal level of red blood cells or haemoglobin in their blood. Amla is a rich source of vitamin C, which helps absorb iron. Without enough iron, the body cannot make enough red blood cells, which can lead to anaemia. Amla can be consumed in various forms, including fresh, dried, churan or supplement. The supplements of Amla can be very useful for patients suffering from iron deficiency anaemia.
In Ayurveda, amla is considered a tridoshic herb, meaning it balances all three doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. The fruit has the mentioned properties using the Ayurvedic classifications:
Commercially Amla is Available as:
Also read: Dhootapapeshwar Swamala- A Powerhouse of Health Benefits
Incorporating amla into your daily routine can be easy. You can consume it as fresh fruit, juice, or supplement capsules. Overall, the health benefits of amla are numerous and diverse. The presence of amla leads to improved cell survival, lower production of free radicals, and higher levels of antioxidants. Several classic Ayurvedic preparations are on the d on the Healthy Bazar website, such as Chyawanprash, where Amla is the main ingredient. It helps to improve intelligence and memory. Triphala and Brahma Rasayana are other classical medicines. Amla has been used since immemorial. Dental patients should use Amla in various forms and preparations to maintain oral hygiene. Incorporating this powerful fruit into your daily routine can help support your overall health and well-being.
Dr. Shivani Nautiyal is a renowned Ayurvedic physician, Panchakarma therapies specialist, and detox expert who has made significant contributions to the field of natural holistic healing and wellness. With her profound knowledge, expertise, and compassionate approach, she has transformed the lives of countless individuals seeking holistic health solutions. She is a Panchakarma expert, which are ancient detoxification and rejuvenation techniques. She believes in the power of Ayurveda to restore balance and harmony to the body, mind, and spirit.
One of the most important elements determining someone’s physical appearance is hair. Men and women worldwide constantly seek the best Ayurvedic treatment for hair fall to enhance the appearance and health of their hair.
However, due to various causes such as a poor diet, environmental factors, hormonal imbalance, or stress, we often suffer from hair issues. These issues include hair fall, premature greying, and thinning. Moreover, many commercial hair care products use many chemicals that damage not only the hair but also, potentially, the body's nervous system and endocrine system too.
Also, the products we use to treat our damaged hair often have only a superficial effect and leave the underlying causes unanswered. This is why we should consider home remedies and herbal products to take care of our hair from its roots.
A study on Chennai based population on hair fall with hair related problems among males of age 18-50 revealed the following:
Common symptoms of hair loss can vary in men and women. In women, the primary symptom of hair fall is hair loss in the parting of the head and the mid-frontal area of the scalp. For men, hair thinning on the top of the head, along with noticeable bald spots in the front, are clear indications of male pattern hair loss.
Additionally, if you find more hair than usual on the hairbrush after you brush or after washing your hair and on your pillow in the morning, these are also signs of hair loss. You may consider herbal treatment of hair fall to stop hair fall in the initial level to avoid severe loss.
There are various causes of hair fall that may vary from person to person.
Here are some common causes of hair fall:
These factors can lead to excess toxic substances in the body and cause hair fall.
According to Ayurvedic treatment for hair fall, the hair is a direct by-product of your bone tissue (marrow). It is also linked to the central nervous system and gut. This means any weakness in the bone tissue, nervous system, and digestive system’s health will naturally result in hair loss or diminishing hair growth.
In other words, the imbalance in your unique constituency or ratio (Prakriti) of Vata, Pitta, and Kapha Doshas (physical forces) will lead to the underlying issues in bone marrow, nervous and digestive systems. This, in turn, reflects in your scalp and hair.
You can understand your underlying Dosha imbalance or physiological imbalance by assessing your hair texture and the type of hair problems you have.
For example:
The Ayurvedic system is wholly based on balancing the three dosha levels – Vatta, Pitta, and Kapha. According to Ayurveda texts, hair fall occurs when a Dosha imbalance occurs. Thus, it is necessary to know the patient's Prakriti to regrow hair. Diet and lifestyle are also significant factors in promoting hair growth.
There are various home remedies that not only help to control hair fall but also help to keep your hair shiny and beautiful. In addition, these remedies can be performed at home quickly due to the easy availability of the ingredients.
An egg has many ingredients like Sulphur, Phosphorus, Zinc, Iodine, etc., that control hair fall and promote hair growth.
To prepare an egg mask, follow these instructions:
This herb prevents hair loss and maintains hair sustainability. In addition, it helps soothe the scalp and eliminate any dry flakes/dandruff.
The protein and essential fats in coconut milk promote hair growth and prevent hair loss.
To prepare the milk, follow these instructions:
Green tea is rich in antioxidants, which help boost hair growth and prevent hair loss.
Eating healthy and living a balanced lifestyle is essential to keeping your hair healthy. According to Ayurvedic treatment for hair fall, a wholesome and balanced diet enriched with vitamins and minerals helps grow hair.
Following are some diet and lifestyle changes you should adopt in your life to regain your hair:
Along with diet and lifestyle changes, a few herbs help to prevent and control hair fall. These herbs enhance hair quality and make hair shiny. You can use their extracts or powders as hair masks or add them while washing your hair.
Following are the herbs to prevent hair fall:
Shikakai is a magical herb that is very beneficial for hair. It can be considered a natural hair cleanser or shampoo due to its cleansing properties. In addition, it helps to promote hair growth naturally and nourishes hair with its antioxidant properties.
How to use-
Brahmi is a very powerful herb to promote hair growth and hair quality. It is useful in preparing herbal oil that is beneficial to make your hair strong and efficient to relieve stress hormones called ‘cortisol’ and lighten your mood. It is also effective for dry and damaged scalp.
How to use-
Amla is enriched with Vitamin C, an essential element to keep hair and scalp healthy and refreshing. In addition, it is rich in fatty acids and antioxidants that help strengthen hair follicles, and it helps to remove dandruff, dissolve grease and dirt from follicles.
Massaging the scalp with Amla oil can increase blood circulation. It provides essential nutrients to hair follicles to promote hair growth.
How to use-
Also Read: Neem Oil for Hair: Research, Benefits, How to Use it, and Side Effects
In modern medicine, health issues like hair fall, greying hairs, and dandruff are treated symptomatically for months of application. Ayurveda relieves these head disorders in Siraveda at the forehead region to clear obstruction channels. There are various herbs and home remedies available in Ayurveda that help to cleanse the scalp, circulate blood in hair and promote hair growth. Along with Ayurvedic treatment for hair fall, you should also consider healthy diet and lifestyle modifications to ensure speedy hair growth and nourishment. Find lifestyle tips and Ayurvedic products at HealthyBazar. All the products on-site are genuine. To treat hair fall problems and get healthier hair, one can also consult with Dr. Shivani, an Ayurvedic Consultant, and Practitioner with 3 years of experience.
Dr. Shivani Nautiyal is a renowned Ayurvedic physician, Panchakarma therapies specialist, and detox expert who has made significant contributions to the field of natural holistic healing and wellness. With her profound knowledge, expertise, and compassionate approach, she has transformed the lives of countless individuals seeking holistic health solutions. She is a Panchakarma expert, which are ancient detoxification and rejuvenation techniques. She believes in the power of Ayurveda to restore balance and harmony to the body, mind, and spirit.
Pregnancy is the most important and critical part of every woman’s life. So, systematic examination and Pregnancy Care Tips, dietary and other advice are very important during this precious period of time. This systematic supervision is called Garbhini Paricharya (Antenatal Care) in Ayurveda. According to Garbhini Paricharya, the need for Garbhini (ANC Mother) food to be the best source of nourishment for the pregnant woman. It is divided into a nine-monthly diet that is singularly unique to Ayurveda. It changes according to the growth of the fetus in the womb and at the same time ensures the mother’s health.
As per the classical medical tradition, the Vaidyas followed a detailed and comprehensive diet plan. Pregnancy Care in Ayurveda provides a broad expanse of the month-wise diet. This diet may change according to the age, season, place, body constitution, and digestive fire of the pregnant woman. So, the Garbhini should follow a careful regimen of food and behavior during pregnancy for smooth and stress-free delivery.
According to ‘Charaka Samhita’, the pregnancy care Tips in Ayurveda changes every month which is dependent upon the growth pattern, which marks the growth of the fetus. Thus, in the 5th month, there is a predominant growth of Mamsa (flesh) and Rakta (blood) Dhatus. In the 6th month, Bala, Varna, Nails, Hair, Ligaments, Bones, etc. take shape.
Since every month of pregnancy is critical for the growth and development of both the mother and the fetus, Ayurveda curated a healthy pregnancy diet for every single month of the pregnancy. This diet recommendation will help you in taking care of the fetus and mother throughout the pregnancy period. Here are the pregnancy care tips for every month of pregnancy as per Ayurveda:
Diet: One should consume cold milk in small quantities but frequently. Also, mothers should consume Madhur (sweet), Sheeta (cooling to the body), and liquid diet in the 1st month to maintain the fetus.
Medicine: As per Pregnancy Care Tips in Ayurveda, you should consume Jeshthamadhu with white sandalwood powder or red sandalwood powder in cow’s milk is recommended for the first month of pregnancy.
Diet: In the second month of pregnancy, women should have cold milk in small quantities but frequently along with Madhur (sweet), Sheeta (cold) and liquid diet like Milk, Coconut water, Fruit juices, Peya, Kanji (not sour), etc. All these should be in small quantities but taken frequently. Fruits that you should avoid are Pineapple, Papaya, and Sugarcane.
Medicine: In the second month, women should take Ashmantaka (Apta), Til, Pippali (Piper longum), Manjishtha (Rubia cardifolia), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus) in small quantities. Also, one should consume Kashaya (decoction) along with milk and sugar. You can also prefer Lotus stem, Nagkeshar milk, or Buttermilk, Lotus, Bell fruit, Camphor, and Goat milk to maintain good health.
Diet: In this month, you can consume rice with milk or ghee and honey (in unequal quantities) along with the same type of fruit juices as mentioned in the 2nd month.
Medicine: Ayurvedic medicines beneficial are Vrikshadani, Ksheerkakolki, Priyangu, Sariva, Sugar, and Nagkeshar milk. You can also consume Sandalwood powder, khus, lotus, and cold water with milk.
Diet: In the fourth month, Butter taken out of milk, rice with curd, fruit juice, and Coconut water should be taken by pregnant women. Along with that, you can take Hridya Fruits viz. Mango, Watermelon, White pumpkin, Yellow pumpkin, Snake gourd (Chichinda), Berry (Badar), Pomegranate, and Amratak (Ambala) in this month.
Medicine: In this month you can consume Sariva, Rasna, Bharani, or Jeshthamadhu decoction. If a pregnant woman feel she should have thirst, burning, and pain in the abdomen, then milk boiled with banana root, lotus, and khusin the same quantity.
Diet: In this month, you should consume rice, milk, ghee from butter, Mamsa Vardhak (foods which promote bulk in the fetus) such as meat soup, black gram, etc, and Rakta Vardhak (food items that increase the blood and its flow) such as Pomegranate, Chikoo, Apple, Spinach, Beetroot, amalaki, guava, etc.
Medicine – Medicines includes for this month are Kantakari (Solanum xanthocarpum), Laghu Kantakari (Gmelina Arborea), Plaksha powder with milk, ground blue lotus, Nagkeshar, and Pumpkin with water. You can also consume Ground pomegranate leaves, sandalwood paste mixed with curd and honey, leaves of Ksheeri trees, Banyan, and Udumbar (Ficus Glomerata).
Diet: In the sixth month consume Ghee, Rice, Gokharu (Tribulus Terrestris), Siddha Ghee (processed Ghee), and Yavagu (Rice kanji). It nourishes the tissues of the child and keeps the mother healthy.
Medicine: The following medicines are beneficial in the sixth month as per Ayurveda:
Also Read: Herbal Remedies for Irregular Menstrual Cycles
In the 7th month, all organs of the fetus grow significantly due to which women usually face itching on their lower abdomen, thighs, or breasts. During this time, they should consume the same food as previous month.
Medicine: The following medications can helps to reduce itching:-
Diet – This month is crucial because some women face extreme weakness in this month compared to the previous ones. So during this month, one should consume Yavagu (Solid rice and liquid portion) in milk to maintain the health of the child and mother.
Medicine: Medicines recommended during this month are:
Diet: As recommended in the previous month
Medicine: In the 8th and 9th month, there is a slight pain in the abdomen and sometimes bleeding through the vagina. So, one should use painkillers and Stambhana (a drug to stop bleeding) medicine. Along with that, one should consider Sariva, Jeshthamadha, Ksheerkakoli Kashaya medicines.
Note: If the pregnancy continues up to the 10th month, then only take – Shunthi, Ksheer Vidari Kashaya, or only Shunthi Siddha milk.
Along with the diet, Ayurveda lists certain factors that can cause disturbances or harm to the pregnant woman and fetus. One should avoid these factors to ensure a smooth pregnancy and a healthy fetus. These factors are as follows:-
Please find below the infographic on “A guide to Ayurvedic care in pregnancy & childbirth”. Feel free to use this infographic but make sure to cite us at www.healthybazar.com.
Garbhini Paricharya was advised thousands of years ago in classical texts of Ayurveda for pregnant women. It can be proven on scientific parameters as well. In Garbhini Paricharya, normal daily activities, therapeutic procedures, and modifications in psychological behavior are advised. During the first trimester, by considering the physiology of pregnant women, the ancient Acharyas have emphasized using highly nutritious household milk products that are easy to assimilate.
In this period, the dietary regimen and treatment protocol is concentrated on providing nourishment and Vata Anulomana. In the 2nd trimester, Garbhini Paricharya helps stabilize Garbha. It is useful in meeting energy and protein requirements. In the 3rd trimester, drugs and practices which relieve Oedema, constipation, backache, etc, are employed. The pregnancy care in Ayurveda aims at excellence in the formation of the fetus, its development without anomalies, secure full-term delivery, and maintenance of the mother’s health. The regimen explained is specific to fetus and mother, helps in easy delivery, and helps in lactation; hence completely fulfills the objectives of prenatal care.
Dr. Shivani Nautiyal is a renowned Ayurvedic physician, Panchakarma therapies specialist, and detox expert who has made significant contributions to the field of natural holistic healing and wellness. With her profound knowledge, expertise, and compassionate approach, she has transformed the lives of countless individuals seeking holistic health solutions. She is a Panchakarma expert, which are ancient detoxification and rejuvenation techniques. She believes in the power of Ayurveda to restore balance and harmony to the body, mind, and spirit.