Phyllanthus emblica L.

Popularly known as “amla”, or “Indian gooseberry”, the deciduous tree Phyllanthus emblica L. (family: Phyllanthaceae), is endemic to equatorial regions of Southeast Asia. All parts of the plant such as roots, leaves, bark, fruits, etc., have been extensively used in various traditional medicinal practices such as Ayurveda. The fruits of the tree are a rich source of vitamin-C, flavonoids, and other antioxidants. Due to their anti-diabetic and anti-inflammatory properties, these fruits find a range of uses in traditional medicine and as a digestive aid. Amla has hypolipidemic, hypoglycaemic, hepatoprotective and antioxidant properties, as established by veterinary experiments and in vitro studies. These finding should, however, be validated by evidence-based research.