Amla (Emblica officinalis L.), the native of India belongs to Euphorbiaceae family and is widely distributed in other tropical countries of Asia such as China, Indonesia and Malaysia.
Amla is considered as nature’s blessing to the mankind due to its nutritional components and various nutraceutical properties which have been well documented in conventional medication system. The amla fruit having greenish-yellow color tastes sour with an intriguing sweet flavor. Owing to its nutritional components such as vitamin C, minerals, polyphenols including ellagitannins (tannins), flavonoids, ellagic acid and other phytochemicals, amla has numerous pharmacological and therapeutic properties viz. Analgesic, adaptogenic, anticancer, cardio protective and gastro protective. Besides, amla seeds are comprised of a significant quantity of essential fatty acid viz. Linolenic acid and linoleic acid. The antibacterial activity of essential oils of amla has also been well documented in the literature and amla oil has been used for centuries in medicine world for its external applications; for instance nourishing hair and scalp.