Amla supplement - Paradise Herbs - Amla extract
• 100% Amla Extract 20:1

Paradise Herbs Amla extract is naturally extracted using only the finest quality fruits grown in the pristine environment of the lower Himalayan Mountains. This Amla extract provides active levels of tannins along with Vitamin C and flavonoids, concentrated in the balanced ratio nature intended, without isolating, fractionizing or using toxic solvents, harsh chemicals or gases. Naturally grown or ethically wild crafted Amla fruit without the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or preservatives. Amla fruit is famous for its rejuvenating properties. Amla fruit is known for its nutrient dense levels of vitamin C. Amla has recently been used to support positive nitrogen balance.
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Twice a month we Email you a brief abstract of several new studies on various supplements and natural medicine topics and their practical interpretation by Ray Sahelian, M.D. We will mention research updates on Amla.

Amla Supplement Facts
Amla fruit extract (Phyllanthus emblica) 20:1
     (Equivalent to 5000 mg whole fresh fruit) - 250 mg *

Suggested Use: 1 Amla capsule a few times a week or as directed by a qualified healthcare professional.
* Amla daily value not established.

See Ayurvedic Herbs for a list of herbs used in Ayurvedic Medicine.

Amla powder use
Amla powder is light brown colored with an astringent smell. Amla paste is touted as an excellent hair conditioner which makes hair glossy and silky. I personally do not have experience using amla powder for hair health.

Amla benefit
Although Ayurvedic doctors have a great deal of experience with the use of Amla, little human research is available in the West. In rodent studies, amla has been found to be helpful as an antioxidant, for cholesterol and blood sugar control, for memory, and the use of amla was helpful in delaying development of diabetic cataract in rats.

Amla herb composition
Amla has many substances, including apigenin, gallic acid, ellagic acid, chebulinic acid, quercetin), chebulagic acid, corilagin, isostrictiniin, methyl gallate, 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloylglucose, and luteolin.

Amla Research Update
Influence of amla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) on hypercholesterolemia and lipid peroxidation in cholesterol-fed rats.
J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2005 Dec;51(6):413-8.
Institute of Natural Medicine, Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama, Japan.
The effects of amla on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and cholesterol levels were investigated in vitro and in vivo using Cu(2+)-induced LDL oxidation and cholesterol-fed rats. SunAmla and ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract of amla significantly inhibited thiobarbituric acid (TBA)-reactive substance level in the Cu(2+)-induced LDL oxidation and the effects were stronger than those of probucol. These results suggest that amla may be effective for high cholesterol and prevention of atherosclerosis.

Amla (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) extracts reduce oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
J Med Food. 2005 Fall;8(3):362-8.
Bio-nutrition Division, Taiyo Kagaku Co. Ltd., Yokkaichi, Mie, Japan
The antioxidant properties of amla extracts and their effects on the oxidative stress in streptozotocin-induced diabetes were examined in rats. Amla in the form of either the commercial enzymatic extract SunAmla (Taiyo Kagaku Co. Ltd., Yokkaichi, Japan) or a polyphenol-rich fraction of ethyl acetate extract (10 or 20 mg/kg of body weight/day) was given orally for 20 days to the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Amla extracts showed strong free radical scavenging activity. Amla also showed strong inhibition of the production of advanced glycosylated end products. The oral administration of amla extracts to the diabetic rats slightly improved body weight gain and also significantly alleviated various oxidative stress indices of the serum of the diabetic rats.

Anti-inflammatory activities of aller-7, a novel polyherbal formulation for allergic rhinitis.
Int J Tissue React. 2004;26(1-2):43-51.
Allergic rhinitis is an immunological disorder and an inflammatory response of nasal mucosal membranes. Allergic rhinitis, a state of hypersensitivity, occurs when the body overreacts to a substance such as pollens or dust. A novel, safe polyherbal formulation (Aller-7/NR-A2) has been developed for the treatment of allergic rhinitis using a unique combination of extracts from seven medicinal plants including Phyllanthus emblica ( amla ), Terminalia chebula, Terminalia bellerica, Albizia lebbeck, Piper nigrum, Zingiber officinale and Piper longum. Since inflammation is an integral mechanistic component of allergy, the present study aimed to determine the anti-inflammatory activity of Aller-7 in various in vivo models. These results demonstrate that this novel polyherbal formulation is a potent anti-inflammatory agent that can ameliorate the symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

A study on degradation kinetics of ascorbic acid in amla (Phyllanthus emblica L.) during cooking.
Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2004 Aug;55(5):415-22.
The kinetics of ascorbic acid degradation in amla as well as in pure ascorbic acid solutions at initial concentrations present in amla over a temperature range of 50-120 degrees C (steady-state temperature) has been studied.

Neuropharmacological actions of panchagavya formulation containing Amla and Glycyrrhiza glabra Linn in mice.
Indian J Exp Biol. 2004 May;42(5):499-503.
A panchagavya Ayurvedic formulation containing E. officinalis ( amla ), G. glabra, and cow's ghee was evaluated for its effect on pentobarbital-induced sleeping time, pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures, maximal electroshock-induced seizures, spontaneous motor activity, rota-rod performance (motor coordination) and antagonism to amphetamine in mice. The results suggest that the panchagavya formulation is sedative in nature.

Inhibition of aldose reductase by tannoid principles of Amla : implications for the prevention of sugar cataract.
Mol Vis. 2004 Mar 12;10:148-54.
Aldose reductase (AR) has been a drug target because of its involvement in the development of secondary complications of diabetes including cataract. Although numerous synthetic AR inhibitors (ARI) have been tested and shown to inhibit the enzyme, clinically synthetic ARIs have not been very successful. Therefore, evaluating natural sources for ARI potential may lead to the development of safer and more effective agents against diabetic complications. In the present study we have assessed the inhibition of AR by constituents of Emblica officinalis ( amla ) both in vitro and in lens organ culture. METHODS: Amla is widely used against many chronic ailments including diabetes. Aqeous extract of Amla and its major constituent tannoids were tested for inhibition against both rat lens and purified recombinant human AR. ARI potential of isolated tannoids of Amla were also investigated against osmotic stress in rat lens organ culture. RESULTS: Amla extract inhibited rat lens and recombinant human AR with IC50 values 0.72 and 0.88 mg/ml respectively. Since Amla is a rich source of ascorbic acid, we investigated whether ascorbic acid was responsible for AR inhibition by Amla extract. However, ascorbic acid did not inhibit AR even at 5 mM concentration. Further, we demonstrate that the hydrolysable tannoids of Amla were responsible for AR inhibition, as enriched tannoids of Amla exhibited remarkable inhibition against both rat lens and human AR with IC50 of 6 and 10 microg/ml respectively. The inhibition of AR by Amla tannoids is 100 times higher than its aqueous extract and comparable to or better than quercetin. Furthermore, the isolated tannoids not only prevented the AR activation in rat lens organ culture but also sugar-induced osmotic changes. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that tannoids of Amla are potent inhibitors of AR and suggest that exploring the therapeutic value of natural ingredients that people can incorporate into everyday life may be an effective approach in the management of diabetic complications.

Antitussive activity of the fruit extract of Emblica officinalis Gaertn. (Euphorbiaceae) Amla .
Phytomedicine. 2003;10(6-7):583-9.
The antitussive activity of Amla was tested in conscious cats by mechanical stimulation of the laryngopharyngeal and tracheobronchial mucous areas of airways. The results showed that at a dose of 50 mg/kg body wt. perorally, the cough suppressive effect of Amla is not unambiguous. A higher dose (200 mg/kg body wt.) of Amla perorally was more effective, especially in decreasing the number of cough efforts (NE), frequency of cough (NE/min(-1)) and the intensity of cough attacks in inspirium (IA+) and expirium (IA-) was more pronounced. These results showed that the cough suppressive activity of Amla is dose-dependent. We could also demonstrate that the antitussive activity of Amla is less effective than shown by the classical narcotic antitussive drug codeine, but more effective than the non-narcotic antitussive agent dropropizine. It is supposed that the antitussive activity of the dry extract of Amla is due not only to antiphlogistic, antispasmolytic and antioxidant efficacy effects, but also to its effect on mucus secretion in the airways. See cough.

Cytoprotective activity of Amla (Emblica officinalis) against chromium (VI) induced oxidative injury in murine macrophages.
Phytother Res. 2003 Apr;17(4):430-3.
The cytoprotective and immunomodulating properties of Amla against chromium (VI) induced oxidative damage are reported. Chromium (VI) at 1 micro g/mL concentration was highly cytotoxic. It enhanced free radical production and decreased reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in macrophages. The presence of Amla resulted in an enhanced cell survival, decreased free radical production and higher antioxidant levels similar to that of control cells. Further, chromium (VI) treatment resulted in decreased phagocytosis and gamma-interferon (gamma-IFN) production while Amla inhibited chromium induced immunosuppression and restored both phagocytosis and gamma-IFN production by macrophages significantly.

Snake venom neutralization by Indian medicinal plants (Vitex negundo and Emblica officinalis) root extracts.
J Ethnopharmacol. 2003 May;86(1):75-80.
The methanolic root extracts of Vitex negundo Linn. and Amla were explored for the first time for antisnake venom activity. The plant (V. negundo and Amla) extracts significantly antagonized the Vipera russellii and Naja kaouthia venom induced lethal activity both in in vitro and in vivo studies. V. russellii venom-induced haemorrhage, coagulant, defibrinogenating and inflammatory activity was significantly neutralized by both plant extracts. No precipitating bands were observed between the plant extract and snake venom. The above observations confirmed that Vitex negundo and Amla extracts possess potent snake venom neutralizing capacity and need further investigation.

Gastroprotective effects of Amla Emblica officinalis on in vivo test models in rats.
Phytomedicine. 2002 Sep;9(6):515-22.
An ethanol extract of Amla was examined for its antisecretory and antiulcer activities employing different experimental models in rats, including pylorus ligation Shay rats, indomethacin, hypothermic restraint stress-induced gastric ulcer and necrotizing agents (80% ethanol, 0.2 M NaOH and 25% NaCl). Oral administration of Amla extract at doses 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg significantly inhibited the development of gastric lesions in all test models used. It also caused significant decrease of the pyloric-ligation induced basal gastric secretion, titratable acidity and gastric mucosal injury. Besides, Amla extract offered protection against ethanol-induced depletion of stomach wall mucus and reduction in nonprotein sulfhydryl concentration. Histopathological analyses are in good agreement with pharmacological and biochemical findings. The results indicate that Amla extract possesses antisecretory, antiulcer, and cytoprotective properties.

Amla oil and amla powder are also available in some stores.

Amla Questions
Q. Is diabetes control a benefit of amla or amla extract?
   A. I have not seen human studies regarding the use of amla supplement, amla powder or amla oil for blood sugar control.

Q. Can you tell me about amla skin care. Is amla oil helpful for hair?
   A. I am not familiar with the benefit of amla oil in terms of skin care or hair.

Q. Are the tannins in Amla similar to the tannins in black tea? I would like to try an Amla supplement but am concerned about the tannin content. I'm sensitive or allergic to the tannins in black tea. Several hours after drinking black tea I get a pinched nerve in my neck- every time. I know it isn't a caffeine reaction because green tea doesn't bother me, and coffee actually relaxes my neck. Do you think Amla would give me pinched nerves the way that black
tea does?
   A. It is not possible for us to predict the reaction of any person to a supplement since the reactions vary markedly between individuals to the same supplement. Tannins in amla include emblicanin A (37%), emblicanin B (33%), punigluconin (12%) and pedunculagin. In contrast, black tea tannins are mostly catechins.