Amalaki, a simple fruit from India, has been a superstar of eastern medicine for thousands of years.

Unknown in the west, the fruit has a historical place of honor in the ancient Indian healing system known as Ayurveda, which describes this fruit as very important for cell revitalization, immune system function and overall vitality.

Grown at the base of the Himalayan Mountains, Amalaki, (Emblica officinalis, also known as Amla in Hindi, or Indian gooseberry), is revered in India and considered sacred throughout Hinduism. Modern research reveals the ancient knowledge and traditions regarding Amalaki have a basis in fact.

Research studies available from the National Institute of Health indicate the green fruit, which is between the size of a grape and a golf ball, shows efficacy in all the following areas:

How can a single fruit effect so many different parts of our health? The answer may be in the unique phytochemical signature of this amazing fruit. Ancient herbalists might say "it's good for everything." Science now has a term for the plant compounds that yield multiple health benefits. These herbal remedies are now known as Adaptagens.

Adaptagens are plant compounds from a single plant that effect whole body systems. Herbalists in the past called them "Tonics".

If you have a health concern, you can find an Adaptagen to address it. Scientific research has now been conducted on Amalaki and other Adaptagens, including Cordeceps, Holy Basil, Ginseng, Licorice, Maca, Reshi, and Rhodiola– research that gained momentum in Russia during the cold war era.

Preliminary research on Amalaki demonstrated antiviral and antimicrobial properties; showed potential efficacy against laboratory models of disease, such as cancer, age-related renal disease, and diabetes, along with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis.*

Amalaki, a simple fruit from India now has modern research that supports its ancient history of healing.

Scientific information regarding health claims can be found at the National Center for Biotechnology Information, a website hosted by the the National Institutes of Health. (Search "amla' or "Embicla officinalis") *Also, see Wikipedia for research footnotes. 

Jim Herren is an internet researcher providing information on raw foods, products, articles and ideas for a transformational life of Brilliance and Joy, at Rawfoodwisdom.blogspot.com