Amla Berries (Indian Gooseberry)

Amla berries are the dried fruit of Phyllanthus emblica, known in Ayurvedic tradition as amalaki. They are cut ready to use, properly sour and astringent, and unusually for a dried fruit they keep much of their vitamin C. That combination is why they have stayed a household staple for thousands of years. Key Benefits Very high in vitamin C: amla is one of the richest natural sources, and a good share of it survives the drying. Certified organic: grown without synthetic fertilisers or pesticides. A cornerstone of Ayurvedic tradition: one of the three fruits in triphala and the main ingredient in chyawanprash. Cut and ready: the pieces are sized for steeping, simmering or an overnight cold soak, no chopping needed. Used inside and out: traditionally taken as a tea or an oxymel, and just as often used as a hair and scalp rinse. Genuinely sour: that tartness works in cooking too, as a souring agent the way you would use tamarind or lemon. How to Use For a simple tea, use about a teaspoon of the cut berries per cup, cover with boiling water and steep for 10 minutes. Simmer it gently for the same time if you want it stronger. It is properly sour, so most people add honey. A cold soak works well too: cover a teaspoon in a cup of water overnight, strain in the morning and drink it as it is. For a hair rinse, steep two tablespoons in a cup of hot water, let it cool, strain and pour it through clean hair before rinsing out. Hibiscus is the usual partner there. In a cup, Ginger Root takes the edge off the sourness, and Brahmi is a common companion in Ayurvedic blends. Good to Know Amla is one of the three fruits in triphala, the old Ayurvedic blend, and the main ingredient in chyawanprash, a spiced fruit paste eaten by the spoonful. Its taste is famously complicated. Ayurvedic texts credit amla with five of the six tastes at once, missing only salt, which is part of why it turns up in so many formulas. The tannins that make it so astringent also gave it a second life in traditional black hair dyes and inks. Amla is high in tannins and can cause loose stools or stomach discomfort in large amounts. Take care if you are on blood thinning or blood sugar medication. This information is not a substitute for medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider before use, especially if pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medication.