Which Ayurvedic herb has one of the highest Vitamin C levels?
It’s Amalaki, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg of its massive benefits!
Of the 6 tastes (Sweet, Sour, Salty, Pungent, Bitter, Astringent), Amalaki contains 5 but is absolutely dominant in sour. It’s a fruit, and when you bite into the fresh it first makes your eyes crinkle up like when you ate sour candy as a kid, and shortly after you might realize how well it quenches your thirst. I learned this strolling in the hot Kerala sun, and saw it for sale everywhere, for good reason!
Drink a little water after, or take it for long enough that you get healthy & balanced, and you may even taste the sweet – it’s in there!
Amalaki reduces all 3 doshas, but is especially useful in Pitta conditions because it’s rare to find a plant that improves the digestion so well without adding heat – it’s super for it’s cooling quality without depleting the digestive fire. That comes from the intensely sour taste that reduces Vata and directs the herbal action toward the stomach and small intestine (which are intensely sour places). But unlike the excess acidity that can damage our internal mucus membranes in those areas, the sour of amalaki actually assists. It’s counterintuitive, isn’t it? But that’s what is observable. And in Ayurveda, we call this type of clearly observable, but unexpected action prabhav..
You might be given Amalaki in your herb formula if you have: indigestion, history of liver inflammation, diabetes, needing to improve skin quality, excessive menstrual bleeding (also during the menopausal transition), infertility, exhaustion, high cholesterol.
It’s particularly useful for building blood, and when we need a rasayana (rejuvenative) action in cases of debility, for example during recovery from childbirth, surgery, injury or prolonged periods of stress and exhaustion. In fact, it’s one of the best herbs for rasayana, lending recovery, rejuvenation & anti-aging properties.
It works great to improve skin and beauty, too.
Want to know if Amalaki is right for you, and which herbs we should combine it with in your specific condition? Schedule an appointment.
