12 Not So Raw Benefits Of Raw Amla Priya Nair, December 24, 2017December 24, 2017 Living a healthy life doesn’t have to be an expensive affair. After all, the best things in life are free! It’s just that most people tend to ignore these free things and go after more expensive ways to improve their health and overall well-being. Mother Nature provides us with tons of natural goodies that are capable of curing even the toughest of ailments. Maybe it’s the lack of awareness among people that these remedies don’t receive the limelight they most deserve. Say for example, the humble amla fruit or the Indian Gooseberry! Who would’ve thought that a tiny berry would pack so strong a nutritional punch that it can be used for treating as well as preventing many diseases, in addition to boosting your health. But the good news is that nowadays more are more people are drawn towards the idea of using natural and safer products to protect their health. The medicinal properties of raw amla had been recognized by Ayurveda medicine a long time ago and its popularity is now reaching far and wide. Many ayurvedic medicines take advantage of the healing power of this little berry by using it as their main ingredient. The goodness of amla can be utilized in many forms, including juice, powder and oil. However, eating raw amla ensures that your body gets to utilize the purest form of the berry in all its nutritional glory and power. Let’s see benefits of eating Raw Amla and other ways raw amla benefits your overall health: Table of Contents Toggle1. Slow Down Aging with Raw Amla2. Raw Amla Boosts Your Immunity3. Bring Your Blood Sugar Under Control with Raw Amla Benefits4. Raw Amla Protects the Heart5. Raw Amla for Weight Loss6. Raw Amla benefits on Cancer7. Raw Amla has Diuretic Properties8. Raw Amla Improves Vision9. Raw Amla for Strong and Healthy Bones10. Raw Amla Boosts Digestive Health11. Raw Amla benefits for skin12. Raw Amla for hair 1. Slow Down Aging with Raw Amla Aging is an inevitable process and although you can never stop it, you can always take measures to slow it down. Amla is the best natural remedy that will support you in this matter. Raw Gooseberry is one of the richest sources of vitamin C, an antioxidant that protects against the harmful effects of free radicals that contribute to early aging. The vitamin also stimulates the production of collagen, which helps get rid of aging signs like wrinkles and fine lines, and make your skin smooth and supple by increasing its elasticity. 2. Raw Amla Boosts Your Immunity Tired of falling sick all the time? It’s time you did something to boost your immunity and what better way than having raw amla every day! Being an excellent source of vitamin C and numerous other nutrients, it’s understandable how raw amla can be a great immune booster. Despite the fact that it is the immune system that protects the body against disease-causing intruders, we often overlook the need for improving the health and strength of the system. Eating raw amla regularly is a simple step you can take to boost your immunity and lead a disease-free life. The vitamin C in the berry is effective in reducing the intensity and duration of common colds. Raw Amla is also an effective remedy is for sore throat and cough. [Read more about Benefits of Amla Oil ] 3. Bring Your Blood Sugar Under Control with Raw Amla Benefits A healthy and well-balanced diet can help you manage your blood sugar levels and adding raw amla to this diet can amp up your goal easily. Research indicates that the high antioxidant property of amla is beneficial for people with diabetes. The polyphenols in the berry lowers insulin resistance, which ensures proper absorption and effective blood sugar management. Raw Amla is rich in chromium, a mineral that helps keep the blood glucose levels normal by regulating carbohydrate metabolism and making the body more receptive of insulin. 4. Raw Amla Protects the Heart Heart diseases are one of the leading causes of millions of deaths worldwide. High blood pressure and high cholesterol are two major factors that increase the risk of heart problems. According to research, one of the benefits of eating raw amla is protective properties for your heart. Oxidative stress caused by free radicals can weaken the cardiovascular system. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of the fruit neutralizes the oxidative stress and even helps in strengthening the heart. Amla is helpful in making the arteries healthy, strong and unobstructed. Studies on the effect of amla on cholesterol levels indicated that the fruit is capable of increasing good cholesterol (HDL) and, lowering bad cholesterol (LDL), triglycerides and total cholesterol levels. Raw Gooseberry is also an effective remedy for high blood pressure. It contains high levels of vitamin C, which is a potent antioxidant. Research suggests that antioxidants can help normalize blood pressure levels by maintaining a regular supply of nitric oxide to the body, which helps in relaxing the blood vessels and allowing blood to flow easily through them. 5. Raw Amla for Weight Loss If you are looking for natural ways to reduce weight, then including raw amla in your diet is probably one of the best remedies. The high fiber content in the fruit not only gets rid of the toxins in the body but also fills you up very quickly, thus helping you to control your food cravings. Benefits of eating raw amla every day includes its ability to increase your metabolic activities, to provide you more energy and to promote effective burning of calories. Raw amla facilitates the elimination of toxins, which also contributes to weight loss. Just finely grate a raw amla, squeeze its juice. Dilute with little water. Drink this raw amla squash daily to help reduce weight. [Read more about Health benefits of Amla / Amalaki / Indian Gooseberry ] 6. Raw Amla benefits on Cancer Amla is considered to be a wonder berry in the treatment of cancer. Experimental studies have shown that some of the phytochemicals present in the fruit, such as gallic acid, ellagic acid, pyrogallol, and prodelphinidins B1 and B2 have antineoplastic (cancer cell destruction) effects. Amla also possesses properties (antioxidant, anti-mutagenic, anti-inflammatory, immune-modulatory, chemo-modulatory, radio-modulatory and chemo-preventive properties) that are valuable in the treatment and prevention of cancer. A great thing about amla is that while it inhibits the growth and proliferation of cancer cells, it is totally harmless when it comes to the normal and healthy cells in the body. 7. Raw Amla has Diuretic Properties Amla has mild diuretic properties, which means that it increases the frequency as well as the amount of urination. This helps in eliminating the excess water, salt, toxins and uric acid from the body. Frequent urination can help prevent urinary infections and promote weight loss, since almost 4% of urine comprises of fat. 8. Raw Amla Improves Vision Amla is a good source of carotene, which has been associated with improving eye health and vision. The high concentration of antioxidant vitamin C scavenges the free radical activity and helps prevent the development of eye-related disorders such as cataract and age related macular degeneration. Daily consumption of raw amla can strengthen the eye muscles, improve eye health, make your vision perfect and prevent various eye problems. 9. Raw Amla for Strong and Healthy Bones Amla is an excellent remedy for improving bone health, which is why it is used in alternative medicine as a treatment for osteoporosis. Studies reveal that Indian gooseberry induces programmed cell death and helps lower the number of osteoclasts, the cells responsible for breaking down the tissues of the bones and making the bones thinner and weaker. By controlling the formation of osteoclasts, amla helps improve the bone density and prevent bone loss. As we all know, calcium is an important mineral that is needed for maintaining healthier bones and teeth. Regular consumption of raw gooseberry amla ensures the proper absorption of calcium by the body. 10. Raw Amla Boosts Digestive Health If you suffer from digestive disorders like constipation, diarrhea or indigestion, amla is one fruit that you should consider taking daily. The high amount of dietary fiber in the fruit adds bulk to the stool and promotes easy bowel movements. This helps in preventing constipation. By bulking up the stool, raw amla also helps prevent diarrhea. Amla stimulates the production of gastric juices that aid in digestion. It ensures that the food is properly digested, and the nutrients are absorbed and utilized in the best way possible. [Read more about Health benefits of Triphala Churna] 11. Raw Amla benefits for skin Daily consumption of amla can improve skin health and give it a wonderful glow. The Vitamin C content in the fruit helps in the formation of collagen that adds elasticity and suppleness to the skin. The antioxidants reduce free radical damage and help get rid of aging signs like wrinkles, fine line and dark pigmentation. Amla has anti-microbial properties that help in fighting off the microorganisms responsible for acne breakouts. It can also get rid of the marks and scars left behind by acne and reestablish the smoothness and tone of the skin. 12. Raw Amla for hair The benefits offered by amla to the scalp and hair are plenty. Right from strengthening the roots of the hair, to preventing hair loss, to promoting hair growth and preventing scalp-related problems, amla is an all-in-one hair care remedy. Use of raw amla for hair growth is part of traditional Ayurveda. The antioxidants in the fruit also helps prevent premature greying of hair, which is why amla is used as an ingredient in hair oils and hair dyes. How to use raw amla for hair growth and health Boil pieces of fresh green amla for about half hour in water. Strain and use this water to wash your hair. Amla is excellent astringent and provides shampoo like action. Grate fresh amla and squeeze juice. Apply this juice to your scalp and hairs gently. Let it remain for an hour, before you wash your hair. Regular use is nourishing for your hair and scalp. You may add lemon or almond oil to this juice while applying to hair. How to use raw amla paste for hair Raw amla paste can be used as hair mask for toning your hair and regain natural shine. This paste also helps reduce hair loss and counter hair graying. Try these multiple variants of using raw amla paste for hair. Grind raw green amla along with few jojoba flowers and leaves to smooth paste. Apply this to scalp and hair and leave for an hour, before washing with water. Grind 4 green amla along with 2 teaspoon of fenugreek seeds. Add one whipped egg to it. Apply this as hair mask DIY Mask with green amla for hair – Blend 1 tbsp of soaked fenugreek seeds, 2 tbsp of flaxseed, 2 freshly chopped green amla, one freshly chopped onion and little coconut oil to fine paste. Adjust water for consistency. Add little lavender essential oil to remove raw onion smell. Apply to your hair and scalp for hair fall, dandruff and hair growth naturally. Leave this mask for one hour, before you wash with mild shampoo. Use this hair mask fortnightly. The abundance of nutrients and antioxidants in amla makes it a super food capable of improving your overall health and preventing various diseases. Raw amla can be eaten daily as a snack. Even a single amla daily can go a long way in improving your health. Although highly nourishing and rejuvenating, the taste of amla is kind of off-putting for many people. If you think it’s too bitter, you can dip it in honey and then eat it. [image-credits] Fruits green amlaraw amlaraw gooseberry