Benefits and Uses of Amla Oil

Benefits and Uses of Amla Oil

Amla oil comes from the fruit of the Indian gooseberry. This plant Phyllanthus emblica, is made from dried fruit and by immersing this fruit in a base of oil for a period of time; then being filtered and purified.

The dried berries can also be powered to use in several hair products.

Ancient traditional medicines; Ayurveda, Chinese and Tibetan, praise amla and it’s use in many multi-herbal health formulas. Amla in Sanskrit means “sour taste”. This is why the fruit itself, is used as a digestive aid such as in Chyawanprash, which is a wonderfully favorite multi- herb jam or spread, both a bit spicy and a bit sweet.

Gooseberries are also used in the product Triphala, renowned for assisting digestive disorders like constipation, abdominal pain and more.

Amla is originally from India but today is grown in the Middle East and other Asian countries.

The Amla oil is made for external use only. In Ayurveda it is said to possess ‘Kashaya” having astringent properties for the hair.

 

Health Benefits of Amla Oil

  1. Gooseberry or Amla oil protects hair cuticle or follicles from excessive heat, dust, pollution and hard water.
  2. They are high in Vitamin C and E, antioxidants like flavonoids and polyphenols.
  3. Amla helps with preventing hair loss or alopecia which causes a receding hairline, or disappearance of hair from crown of frontal scalp. This can affect both men and women, especially women with PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome). It does this by inhibiting the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, that affects this hair loss.
  4. This oil soothes the scalp from inflammation, it keeps your hair hydrated, especially if brittle, dry damaged hair, and it can be used as a hair detangler and possibly slow premature graying of hair. Amla is anti-bacterial preventing dandruff and fungal infections.
  5. Amla oil moisturizes skin, gives it a healthy glow and can assist with infections like eczema, rosacea and psoriasis.
  6. It is anti-aging, tightens and firms sagging skin and shrinks pores. Amla oil promotes regeneration of healthy cells by assisting with healthy circulation of blood vessels.

 

Certified Trichologist and Holistic Practitioner Daboju Ogboura notes, “Amla helps with sebum regulation by soaking in all excess oil present on scalp and conditions scalp skin and hair.” Sebum is an oily, waxy substance produced by your body’s own oil glands to coat and protect your skin.

 

How to Use Amla Oil

  • Application of Amla oil to dry, flaky skin seems to have a therapeutic effect. It tightens and lessens wrinkles, lines and age spots by lightly massaging into the skin daily.
  • Use oil after shampooing, gently massage into scalp leave on for about 5 minutes and then wash out; this helps detangle and protect the hair shaft. Good preventative against dandruff.
  • Amla oil is a great hydrator for your nail cuticles, soothing and sealing to keep them from peeling; just rub around your nailbed and leave in overnight.

 

Although there have been few studies done confirming these benefits, additional research is needed to confirm above health benefits.

There have been reported allergic reactions as possible side effects; this may happen with blended oils. To prevent this, make sure you have cold pressed, 100% pure Amla oil.

 

 

References:

https://www.banyanbotanicals.com/info/plants/ayurvedic-herbs/triphala/

https://www.byrdie.com/amla-oil-5085351

https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/oils/amla-oil.html

 

 

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