Pharmacognstic evaluations of Phyllanthus emblica L.

Abstract

Emblica officinalis belongs to Family Euphorbiaceae, is also called as Amla, is a tree growing in subtropical and tropical parts of China, India, Indonesia and the Malay Peninsula. It is one of the most widely used herbs in Indian traditional medicine and is a constituent of several polyherbal preparations used in Ayurveda to treat many chronic ailments including Diabetes Mellitus. It is found to have excellent anti-oxidant and free radical scavenging activity, protective effect against the damaging effects of UV radiation, inhibits nitrosation reaction in stomach, which helps to prevent stomach cancers, hepatoprotective effect, anti-mutagenic effect and reduced clastogenicity induced by various metals. It is also said to have anti-diabetic effect, hypolipidemic effect and anti-ulcerogenic effect. Hence it makes amla as an interesting natural ingredient that people can incorporate in their daily diets, which may be an effective step to manage various complications. Fresh Fruit, Dried fruit, the nut or seed, leaves, root, bark and flowers. Ripe fruits used generally fresh, dry also used. Each part has a different therapeutic value and must be prepared in its own way for maximum benefits. Amalaki fruit requires a meticulous 21-step process at low heat to maintain potency of the vitamins and minerals as well as the biological intelligence of this remarkable plant. This well-known Ayurvedic drug Amla is standardized in the present study by its pharmacognostic properties.