Amla is a gift of nature to mankind. It is an indispensable part of the Ayurvedic and Unani system of medicine. Amla has amazing remedial qualities. In Sanskrit, it is called amalaki or dhartriphala. It belongs to the family Euphorbiecae and its scientific name is Emblica officinalis.

There are two varieties of amla – cultivated (gramya) and wild (vanya). The wild amla is small, hard and has lots of fiber while the cultivated amla is big, smooth and juicy. The fruit of the amla tree possess medicinal value. It is basically sour but at times it is sweet and pungent also.

Composition of amla (indian gooseberry):
The amla fruit contains more than 80% of water. It also has protein, carbohydrate, fibre, minerals and vitamins. It also contains Gallic acid which is a potent polyphenol.

Rich Source of Vitamin C
Vitamin C is important for human beings. It is necessary for the synthesis of the inter cellular cement “collagen”. Collagen is responsible for keeping the cells of the body together. 100 Gms of amla contains – 700 mg Vitamin C. If amla is dried in the shade then much of the vitamin C is retained. To get the maximum out of amla it should be taken raw with very little salt.

Amla & Common Ailments:
1. Constipation causes infrequent stool, anal and perianal pain and abdominal discomfort. This persistent straining during the defecation leads to bleeding piles (hemorrhoids). Amla being rich in fibre regulates the bowel action and keeps constipation at bay. Juice of amla taken with 250 mg of giloy extract provides an effective remedy for hemorrhoids.
2. If your blood cholesterol troubles you then take amla. The vitamin C in amla helps in dilating the blood vessels and thereby lowering the blood pressure.
Grind dried amla into a fine powder and mix it with sugar candy (mishri). Store this mixture in a glass bottle and take one teaspoon of this mixture every day empty stomach. This will help maintain the cholesterol level.
3. Amla has anti diabetic quality. Make a mixture of equal quantity of amla, jamun and bitter gourd powder. Take one teaspoonful of this mixture once or twice a day. This mixture is also useful in treating conjunctivitis and glucoma
4. In case of acidity take 1 gram of dry amla powder with a little sugar in milk or water twice a day.
5. 1 tablespoon of paste of amla leaves, mixed with honey is an effective treatment for diarrhea.
6. For promoting hair growth and prevent premature graying of hair one can use amla rich oils and shampoos. For a quick home remedy soak amla powder in water for a week. Then use it wash hair. This preparation is a 3 in 1 shampoo, conditioner and hair dye.
7. Amla is helps in restoring Vitamin C level in elderly, diabetic patients, hypertensive and women using oestrogen contraceptives.
8. Deficiency of Vitamin C makes a person lethargic, susceptible to infections, rheumatic pains and intestinal disorders. Consuming amla removes this lethargic feeling and makes one vibrant and upbeat.
9. According to a research low vitamin C levels puts a person at risk of developing gallbladder disorders. Taking amla saves one from gallbladder infections.
10. In children low vitamin C levels leads to disturbed growth and fragile disorders. For a person with low vitamin C level healing of wounds and fractures is a slow process. For quick healing, one must consume amla.
11. Amla is also a cure for scurvy. Dry amla powder mixed with an equal quantity of sugar taken in doses of one teaspoon thrice a day with milk provides enough vitamin C to beat scurvy.
12. Amla also works wonder with pregnant and lactating mothers.
13. It also reduces the incidence of cancer of the gastrointestinal and respiratory tract.
14. It provides protection against pollution.
15. Amla is nature’s best antioxidant. Food rich in antioxidants combat free radicals naturally and without any side effects.

When amla is in season it should be consumed in chutneys and pickles. And when not in season it can be taken in the form of murabba.

There were initially three natural varieties of cardamom plants.
Malabar (Nadan/Native) – As the name suggests, this is the native variety of Kerala. These plants have pannicles which grow horizontally along the ground.
Mysore – As the name suggests, this is a native veriety of Karnataka. These plants have pannicles which grow vertically upwards.
Vazhuka – This is a naturally occurring hybrid between Malabar and Mysore varieties, and the pannicles don’t grow vertically nor horizontally, but in between both.

Recently a few planters isolated high yielding plants and started multiplying them on a large scale.

Uses:
Cardamom is used as flavorings in both food and drink, as cooking spices and as a medicine. It is added in tea as well some time giving the tea an awesome flavor. It is used in a lot of south indian food for its fragrance and for health reasons as well.

Food and drink
Cardamom has a strong, unique taste, with an intensely aromatic fragrance. Black cardamom has a distinctly more astringent aroma, though not bitter, with a coolness similar to mint, though with a different aroma. It is a common ingredient in Indian cooking. In South Asia, green cardamom is often used in traditional Indian sweets and in Masala chai (spiced tea).

As a Medicine:
Green cardamom in South Asia is broadly used to treat infections in teeth and gums, to prevent and treat throat troubles, congestion of the lungs and pulmonary tuberculosis, inflammation of eyelids and also digestive disorders. It also is used to break up kidney stones and gall stones,and was reportedly used as an antidote for both snake and scorpion venom bite. Amomum is used as a spice and as an ingredient in traditional medicine in systems of the traditional Chinese medicine in China, in Ayurveda in India, Japan, Korea and Vietnam.

It is known across South Asia as a medicinal plant, commonly used in Ayurveda, and has an important role within the Vaishnavite tradition of Hinduism, in which devotees perform worship involving Tulsi plants or leaves.

In India, Tulasi plant is very holy and every traditional household has a Tulasi plant in the backyard and is usually planeted in the center of the yard in a raised cement platform. Everyday, women pray to the Tulasi plant and go around it a few times as prayer. I remember as a kid, we ate the tulasi leaves just like that and our parents use to highly encourage us eating Tulasi leaves.

Tulsi as an Ayurvedic medicine
Tulsi has been used for thousands of years in Ayurveda for its diverse healing properties. Tulasi has been know to help with stress. It has a strong aroma and astringent taste. It is regarded in Ayurveda as a kind of “elixir of life” and believed to promote longevity.

Tulsi’s extracts are used in ayurvedic remedies for common colds, headaches, stomach disorders, inflammation, heart disease, various forms of poisoning, and malaria. Traditionally, tulsi is taken in many forms: as herbal tea, dried powder, fresh leaf, or mixed with ghee. Essential oil extracted from Karpoora Tulsi is mostly used for medicinal purposes and in herbal cosmetics, and is widely used in skin preparations due to its anti-bacterial activity. For centuries, the dried leaves of Tulsi have been mixed with stored grains to repel insects.

One study showed Tulsi to be an effective treatment for diabetes by reducing blood glucose levels. The same study showed significant reduction in total cholesterol levels with Tulsi. Another study showed that Tulsi’s beneficial effect on blood glucose levels is due to its antioxidant properties. Tulsi also shows some promise for protection from radiation poisoning and cataracts.

We use Jaggery a lot in South India in a lot of sweets and desserts. This is a much healthier substitute to sugar and it tastes really good. In some parts of India, it is added to sambar, resam and other gravies which are staples in India. Jaggery is also eaten just like that. As a kid, we loved eating jaggery just like that. Jaggery is a rich source of iron due to the process involved, using iron utensils. It is considered by some to be a particularly wholesome sugar and, unlike refined sugar, it retains more mineral salts. Moreover, the process does not involve chemical agents. Indian Ayurvedic medicine considers jaggery to be beneficial in treating throat and lung infections.

Culinary Use:

The roots are boiled for several hours and then dried in hot ovens, after which they are ground into a deep orange-yellow powder commonly used as a spice in indian curries. Turmeric is used in baked products, dairy products, ice cream, curd (yogurt), biscuits, sweets, cake icings, sauces etc. It is a significant ingredient in most commercial curry powders. Turmeric is used in savory dishes, not sweet ones.

Medicinal Use:

In Ayurvedic practices, turmeric is thought to have many medicinal properties and many in South Asia use it as a readily available antiseptic for cuts, burns and bruises. My mom has used it for us a lot and we use it for our kids a lot as well…It works like magic especially for swellings. Practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine say it has fluoride which is thought to be essential for teeth. It is also used as an antibacterial agent. It is taken in some Asian countries as a dietary supplement, which allegedly helps with stomach problems and other ailments.

Cosmetic Use:

Turmeric is currently used in the formulation of some sunscreens. Turmeric paste is used by some Indian women to keep them free of superfluous hair. Turmeric paste is applied to bride and groom before marriage in some places of India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, where it is believed turmeric gives glow to skin and keeps some harmful bacteria away from the body.