Amla (also known as Indian Gooseberry, Nellikka, amalaki) is a nutritious fruit mainly grown in India and some parts of Asia. Amla or Indian Gooseberry is green in color and sour and bitter in taste. The botanical name for the Amla plant is Phyllanthus emblica. This fruit has powerful antioxidants and high vitamin C content. Besides, it is a rich source of carbohydrates and dietary fibre.
In India the Amla tree is considered sacred. All parts of the plant are used in ayurvedic medicine preparation. Ayurvedic practitioners swear by this fruit as a cure to most of the health issues. For thousands of years people have been using amla to improve health and immunity. According to Ayurveda, amla helps in balancing all three doshas of the body- Vata, Pitta and Kapha.
Amla can be eaten raw or cooked into a variety of dishes. They are used in Amla pickles, made into sweet/masala candies or along with dal.