Gooseberries (Amalaki)

Gooseberries are nutritious, low-calorie fruits rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These berries may offer numerous health benefits, including lower blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and blood pressure. 

Their nutritional value per cup includes Calories - 66, protein - 1 gram, fat - less than 1 gram, carbohydrates - 15 grams, fiber - 7 grams, vitamins C, B5, B6, copper, manganese, and potassium, and is a super antioxidant food source.

Amalaki benefits immune health, is highly nutritious and rejuvenating, enhances digestive health and the absorption of nutrients, cleanses the liver, promotes elimination, helps maintain healthy blood sugar levels, strengthens the bones, teeth, and nails, stimulates healthier hair, nourishes the cardiovascular and respiratory system, and calms the mind and emotions.

These berries play a crucial role in certain Ayurvedic practices, serving as a key ingredient in Chyawanprash and Triphala.

Chyawanprash builds Ojas. It is a base made from amalaki fruit, designed to bolster the herbs, ghee, sesame oil, sugar, and honey.

Triphala is classified as a “Rasayana,” a Sanskrit term meaning it improves general health and prolongs life. Triphala is composed of herbs referred to as “the three fruits”: Amalaki, Bibhitaki, and Haritaki, which together strengthen the colon, remove ama (toxins), improve circulation and cardiac function, reduce high blood pressure and serum cholesterol, and purify the blood. Additionally, it is widely used for conjunctivitis, glaucoma, and cataracts, and improves digestion, assimilation, and elimination.

 

Individually, these herbs/fruits have unique characteristics and properties:

Amalaki is super rejuvenative, benefits all body systems, and is a super antioxidant.  Its cooling nature is best for Pitta and is the main ingredient in Chyawanprash.

Haritaki balances the Vata Dosha, benefiting the nervous system and brain, increases the digestive fire, treats hiccups and ulcers, reduces cholesterol levels, and prolongs life.

Bibhitaki is more drying, astringent, and strengthening, and is renowned for its benefits to the lungs, intestines, urinary system, and elimination systems. It also balances the Kapha dosha and the respiratory system.

It is said that a billion people take Triphala daily, which can be easily found online or at a health food store. If you are working with an Ayurvedic practitioner and herbalist, they can have an individualized formula based on your constitution by adding a dipana (an herb that supports absorption).