Emblica

Scientific Name(s): Phyllanthus emblica L.
Common Name(s): Amalakam, Amalaki, Amla, Amlabaum, Amlaj, Amulch, An mole, Anwala churna, Chyavanprash, Emblic myrobalan, Gebrau chilicher, Hyponidd, Indian gooseberry, Kalpaamruthaa, Nelli, Ngop, Shabju, Sriphalam, Toppinelli, Triphala, Yeowkan tse, Ziphiyu-si

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 23, 2022.

Clinical Overview

Use

Emblica exhibits strong antioxidant activity. It is one of the most important plants in the traditional Ayurvedic medical system as well as in other traditional health systems for immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antiulcer, hepatoprotective, and anticancer actions. However, there is very limited clinical evidence to support the use of emblica for any indication.

Dosing

There are few clinical studies to guide dosages. Diabetes/hyperlipidemia: 1 to 3 g of powdered, dried fruit was consumed daily in 30 mL of water for 21 days in 1 clinical trial. Another trial used amla 300 mg tablets (each containing 50% amla extract and 50% dextrin) 3 times per day. Hypercholesterolemia/hyperlipidemia: 500 mg standardized extract of Phyllanthus embilica twice daily.

Contraindications

Contraindications have not been identified.

Pregnancy/Lactation

Information regarding safety and efficacy in pregnancy and lactation is lacking.

Interactions

None well documented.

Adverse Reactions

Research reveals little or no information regarding adverse reactions with the use of this product.

Toxicology

No major toxicities have been reported.

Scientific Family

• Euphorbiaceae

Botany

Emblica is a small to medium-sized deciduous tree native to tropical southeastern Asia. Its leaves are simple, feather-like, and closely set along the branchlets. Flowers are green-yellow, and the round, greenish-yellow fruits are smooth and hard in appearance. The fruits, which ripen in autumn and are harvested by hand, are commonly used in the Indian diet.1, 2, 3 A common synonym is Emblica officinalis Gaertn.

History

A method of emblica preparation was described in the first century AD in Sanskrit. Records of the medicinal use of emblica also have been found in Arabic, Tibetan, and Egyptian texts, as well as in the Sidha (Indian), Ayurvedic, and Unani systems of medicine. All parts of the plant including the fruit, seed, leaves, root, bark, and flowers are used in both dried and fresh forms. In the Ayurvedic system, the amla fruit is noted for its light and dry qualities, as well as being cooling in energy. In India, the fruit is commonly eaten as a pickle.2, 3

Chemistry

The fruits contain a high concentration of ascorbic acid, which degrades with heating or cooking. In addition, they contain phenols, including ellagic acid, gallic acid, quercetin, kaempferol, corilagin, geraniin, furosin, gallotanins, emblicanins, flavonoids, glycosides, and proanthocyanidins.4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 The roots contain glycosides and tannins.11, 12

Most of the properties assigned to emblica are attributed to its strong antioxidant action.8, 13, 14, 15, 16 The ...