The Society for Ethnobotany

Amla
Phyllanthus emblica L.
Family: Phyllanthaceae.

An Edible, Fuel, Fodder, Dye, Religious and Medicinal Plant of India

Prof. Anju Batta Sehgal (Adjunct Professor NIT Meghalaya)
Former Principal Govt Post Graduate College Hamirpur, HP. India

Why Amla is my favourite

How I got fascinated with Amla tree is an interesting story, I was a child (school kid) when I heard elderly people of society saying “Amla da khaya kane Sayaneyan da galaya baad mein yaad aata hai” This means Amla gives its taste along with medicinal effect after some time, like we appreciate elderly people’s advice later in life”. I grew up looking at this tree as a source of major medicinal constituent. Very poor people of my locality used to eat it as vegetable, fruit, pickle, jam, dried candies as well as using it for religious purposes. Once in my childhood skin a specialist prescribed me tablets with amla as Vitamin C. My craze for this plant increased. As a student of Botany Undergrad and Masters I developed a great attachment with this religiously important as well as medicinally important plant. I still remember teaching Amla to my students gave me some inner happiness and satisfaction. It also holds a very special place in Indian culture. It’s the most medicinal agent in the traditional Indian system of Ayurvedic medicines. Various parts of plant are used to treat a range of diseases, but the most important part is the fruit.

The plant is so interesting because it grows anywhere without much effort. Nobody generally plants these wild species. It grows by itself out of fallen seeds. I couldn’t imagine that some new varieties will be evolved which will provide employment to many rural uneducated but experienced women in making different preparations. How people put a candle under it for worshipping the tree or tie a thread for their religious beliefs and used its twigs for religious worship, was enchanting thing for me. Complexities sometimes are prismatic; it’s complex nature of flower structure further gave me enthusiasm in every time I was teaching practically.

I was further motivated for picking up the study of this plant, because there is an Amla tree full of fruits just in front of my residence. Every time I move out of my house, I can’t stop myself from appreciating such a valuable plant. History says around 1000 species of Phyllanthus are present in the world but this being the most important for rural populace, catches my fancy.

Amla tree Showing Bark, Leaves and Fruits.

My appreciation for the tree was because of my knowledge about plants. Being a person with a Botany background, it really astonished me when pursuing my doctorate, I collected data about the tree from village elderly people, herbal healers and medicine men. All had the same fascination and attachments. Even the leaves are used by them for fodder. I asked my domestic helper, an uneducated but experienced lady, about her experience about the tree. The conversation was surprising as she said It’s leaves are full of Vitamins for livestock.

Description of the tree

A medium-sized tree which sheds leaves during autumn around 8-18m tall, with light grey bark peeling in little irregular chunks. Simple, subsessile leaves of a light green tint are seen on the branchlets. Pale yellow, globular-shaped fruits, with six inconspicuous vertical furrows. Ripening results in a yellow mesocarp and a yellowish-brown endocarp. When ripe, the fruits turn light brown. February and May are the best months for flowers to bloom, while fruiting happens in December and January or August September. Seeds or grafting can be used to propagate P. emblica. The grafting procedure is dependent on the season. Budded clones begin producing fruit after 5 years of planting. Soil with high salt levels, as well as arid and semidry locations, may all be used to grow it. P. emblica fruit juice has more Vitamin C than is found in oranges, tangerines, and lemons. manufactured by the villagers

Uses of Alma

Pickles, Jams, Jelly, Chutneys, and vegetables may all be made with fruits of P. emblica. For murabba, ripe fruits of P. emblica are soaked in concentrated sugar syrup for an extended length of time until the fruit's scent pours out of the syrup. Fresh juice may be made from ripe fruits, which is very handy in the summer. Plant considered sacred and worshipped on Amla Ashtami and ‘Panch Bhikma’ (specific religious days of Hindus). One tsp of powdered fruit taken with honey (twice a day) for seven days to cure cough, piles and works as appetite enhancer. Fresh fruits or its pickle or jam are considered good as rich source of vitamin C, memory enhancer, hepatoprotective, refrigerant and for checking constipation and cardiac troubles. A paste of mixture of its powdered dry fruits and leaves of ‘henna’ (Lawsonia alba L.) are applied as cure for dandruff, and as a hair dye and conditioner. ‘Triphala churna’, comprising its dried fruit as one of the important constituents along with ‘harad’ (Terminalia chebula Retz.) and ‘bhera’ (Terminalia bellirica Roxb.) considered good against dysentery, gastritis, intestinal obstruction, indigestion and constipation in both people and animals. Hot decoction (1-2 liters) prepared from ‘Triphala’ powder also given to animals to check cough and cold (‘dhaknu’). Small pieces of its wood along with sandal wood offered in the last rites by one and all to the funeral pyre, of the deceased and in pooja ceremonies.

Different Uses of Amla (By Rural Populace)

Suggested Readings

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About the author

The author is Gold Medallist in Botany from Himachal Pradesh University Shimla, India, Is Pre PhD (M Phil.) with distinction and Doctorate in Ethnobotany. Accomplished ethnobotanist, educator, and administrator with over 35 years of distinguished experience in academia, research, and institutional leadership. Known for exceptional contributions to ethnobotany and botanical research, as well as a profound commitment to women empowerment. Led major educational institutions in Himachal Pradesh, achieving notable success in academic and administrative roles. Instrumental in the development and accreditation of new master’s programs, significantly enhancing institutional stature, and transforming colleges into UTKRISHT MAHAVIDALAYA status.

Internationally recognized for scholarly excellence, with extensive exposure through visits to prestigious institutions such as Stanford, MIT, Harvard, UCSD, UCSB, Wisconsin Madison, UBC Vancouver, Emory University, and the University of Michigan. Awarded multiple honours and travel grants for outstanding contributions and professional engagement, reflecting global recognition of expertise. Demonstrated adeptness in managing complex administrative and legal issues, serving as an inquiry officer in high-profile disputes, and ensuring effective resolution of conflicts across educational settings.

Elected Council Member of the Society for Ethnobotany USA, reflecting leadership and influence in the field. Chaired sessions and hosted significant international events, including the Botany 2024 conference, showcasing leadership in global academic discourse and collaboration.

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