Cultivated throughout India and nearby countries, amla has gained a following throughout the world as a “superfruit.” It’s no surprise — a 100-gram serving of fresh amla berries contains as much vitamin C as 20 oranges.
Amla, also known as Indian gooseberries, grows on a flowering tree of the same name. The small berries are round and bright or yellow-green. Though they are quite sour on their own, their flavor can enhance recipes they’re added to.
While we can’t be entirely sure when Ayurvedic healers started using amla berry, historical records tell us they’ve been used in remedies for at least 1,000 years.
Incorporating this ancient superfruit into your diet may improve your overall health.
Amla is a storehouse of nutrients that make it a must have for everyone. According to the ‘Historical Dictionary of Indian Food’ by KT Achaya, Amla is one of the most ancient fruits now recognized as one of the richest natural sources of Vitamin C.
It is one of the items recommended by Sushruta for universal everyday consumption that transcended restrictions of body type and season, notes the book. The desi superfood can fight off cough, ulcers, constipation, manage diabetes, cholesterol and give you amazing skin and hair.
One of the most remarkable and popular qualities of amla is its impact on skin. Amla is loaded with skin-friendly Vitamin C which can do wonders for all your skin woes. It is said that fresh amla juice contains 20 times as much vitamin C as is present in orange juice.
Amla purifies the blood and fights toxins which help you get a beautiful and radiant skin. The rich antioxidants of amla also help delay the effects of premature aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots and give you a young and supple skin. Consuming amla or amla juice regularly can also help keep dead skin cells, acne and occurrence of pimples at bay.
Since the fruit is quite bitter, it can get quite hard to ingest all by its own. However, there are people who do that too. Raw amla is the best way to make most of its nutritious and beauty benefits. To have them raw, wash the Indian gooseberries and cut them in small pieces. You can dip them in honey or sprinkle some chaat masala to make it more palatable.
You can combat majority of regular skin and beauty woes with easy DIY amla face packs. For a smooth and radiant skin, you can mix amla powder, honey and yogurt to make a quick face mask. Leave it on till it dries (approximately 15-20 min) and then rinse it off with cold water.
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