Āmalakī
The sour, cooling gooseberry at the head of the rasāyana list; tridoshic, vitamin-C-rich and the anchor of both triphalā and chyawanprash.
Herb · Fruit
Energetics
Taste (rasa)
- Sour (amla)
- Sweet (madhura)
- Bitter (tikta)
- Pungent (kaṭu)
- Astringent (kaṣāya)
Properties (guṇa / vīrya)
- Cooling (śīta vīrya)
- Light (laghu)
- Dry (rūkṣa)
Dosha effect
- Balances vāta
- Balances pitta
- Balances kapha
Traditional indications
- Premier rasāyana of the classical texts, vigour, longevity, daily strength
- Traditionally supportive of the eyes and eyesight
- Cooling and gentle kindling of digestion at once
- Classical hair and scalp oil ingredient (āmalakī taila)
Indications record traditional ayurvedic usage for study, they are not medical claims and not a recommendation to treat yourself.
Contraindications & cautions
- High doses can loosen the stools, reduce the quantity if it does
- History of kidney stones, moderate the quantity (high-oxalate, acidic fruit)
- Hyperacidity may notice the sourness at first, take with meals
Herbs interact with medications, conditions and pregnancy; review anything here with a qualified practitioner before use.
Traditional preparation
The most beloved forms are preserves: chyawanprash, the spiced amla jam taken each morning, and murabbā, the candied whole fruit. Simpler: ½ tsp of dried powder in warm water, or a tablespoon of fresh juice. One amla a day in season, raw with a little salt, is the village rule.
In the tradition
Āmalakī is the fruit the classical rasāyana chapters cannot stop praising: cooling yet digestion-kindling, tridoshic, sour-sweet-astringent all at once. The raw fruit makes the mouth pucker; tradition says that astringency is exactly where its strength lives.
Sources & further reading
- Caraka-saṃhitā , Agniveśa (redactor) (Cikitsāsthāna 1, āmalakī rasāyana)
- Bhāvaprakāśa Nighaṇṭu , Bhāvamiśra (āmalakī, sour-sweet, cooling, tridoshic rasāyana)
Classical citations mark where a tradition is drawn on; modern references are further reading, never prescriptions.