Health Benefits of Amalaki powder for acidity and gastritis
Health Benefits of Amalaki powder for acidity and gastritis
Heartburn is due to excessive secretion of
gastric acid or its reflux to
the food pipe along with delayed gastric emptying
and fermentation of
food. Gastric acidity and inflammation of the
stomach is called gastritis,
which produces a common symptom of burning
sensation in the middle
part of the upper half of the abdomen, while acid
reflux causes throat
and heartburn and delayed gastric emptying with
fermentation leads
to gaseous distension of abdomen and belching. These
abnormalities
lead to symptoms like nausea, loss of appetite,
indigestion and mild
to moderate upper abdominal pain and distress.
Frequent dietary irregularities and ingestion of
irritant materials
like too spicy and sour foods, alcohol and
analgesic drugs like
aspirin are the common causes of acidity and
gastritis. Mental stress
significantly aggravates the symptoms of acidity and gastritis.
Ayurveda designates the symptom complex of acid peptic disease
as Amlapitta
attributed to the impairment of digestive juices
and
protective lining of stomach. Improperly treated
acidity may lead to
peptic ulcer due to damage in the mucosal lining
of the stomach and
duodenum. Judicious use of Amalaki powder is effective in
successful
management of acidity and gastritis with certain
do’s and dont’s
described in the Ayurvedic texts:
It is advisable not to overeat and have
(1) long
gaps between meals. Small frequent meals of soft and easily
digestible food
items should be taken.
(2) Consumption of raw and leafy vegetables,
fried, spicy, sour,
salty, heavy and improperly cooked food, sheep’s
milk, alcohol,
curd, sesame seeds should be avoided.
(3) Use of vegetables with bitter taste such as
bitter gourd, banana
flowers, and pumpkin, pomegranate, honey, boiled
and cooled
water and food grains like wheat, rice and barley
is beneficial
in patients with acidity and gastritis.
(4) Suppression of natural urges, particularly of
vomiting and
passing stools should be avoided.
Amalaki (Phyllanthus emblica Linn.)
The formulation is made from the
dried mature fruits of Amalaki,
which is a small or medium-sized tree
found abundantly in mixed
deciduous forests and cultivated in
gardens and home yards. Ripe
fruits are collected in late winter
or early summer and are dried
in shade. Dried fruits are then
separated from the seeds and are
kept in airtight plastic bags or
boxes under dry storage conditions.
Extensive uses of Amalaki as
medicine and tonic are described in
Indian Medicine and the medicinal
plant is included in the Ayurvedic
Pharamacopoeia of India.
Composition: The formulation is a fine powder made of single herbal
ingredient Amalaki.
English name : Indian gooseberry
Latin name : Phyllanthus
emblica (Linn.)
Family : Phyllanthaceae
Plant part used : Fruit
A leafy branch of Amalaki
with fruits.
Dried fruits of Amalaki.
Main chemical constituents: Vitamin C, minerals and amino acids.
Quality standards
Purity and strength of dried mature
fruits of Amalaki is determined
on the basis of:
Foreign matter Not more than 3%
Total ash Not more than 7%
Acid insoluble ash Not more than 2%
Acid-soluble extractive Not less than 40%
Water-soluble extractive Not less than 50%
Method of preparation
(1) Seedless dried fruits of Amalaki are
cleaned and ground into
fine powder using a grinder or
pulverizer.
(2) Powder is sieved through mesh 80
to remove coarse particles
and fibers.
(3) The powder should be kept in a
dry airtight container to prevent
exposure to moisture.
(4) Potency of the properly preserved
dried fruits lasts for one
year.
Dosage form: Fine, sour-tasting grayish to blackish powder.
Therapeutic properties4: Antacid, anti-ulcer, anti-emetic,
antiinflammatory,
antioxidant, immunomodulator,
rejuvenator and a rich
source of vitamin C.
Dose and mode of
administration
In adults, the dose of Amalaki powder
is 3 to 6 grams and in children
500 mg to 1 gram, twice a day, to be
swallowed on an empty stomach
or just before meals with water.
Indications and uses
(1) Hyperacidity, gastritis,
anorexia, vomiting during pregnancy
and anaemia associated with chronic
acid peptic disease are
the common indications for Amalaki powder.
(2) Clinical trials have proven Amalaki to
be effective in the
management of acidic gastritis,
non-ulcer dyspepsia and duodenal
ulcer with significant prevention of
recurrence of symptoms.
(3) Amalaki powder can also be used as a natural
supplement of
vitamin C in nutritional
deficiencies, pregnancy and chronic
diseases.
Precautions and safety aspects
(1) Amalaki powder is generally a safe medicine.
No toxic or
adverse effects are reported even
with continuous use. Assay
study for cellular toxicity of crude
alcoholic extract of Amalaki
has proved it safe. Safety of Emblica officinalis is attributed
to its anti-mutagenic,
anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anticarcinogenic,
anti-oxidant, anti-tumour and
immuno-modulatory
activities and numerous indications
for its use in children and
pregnant women. It is also safe to
the baby if the nursing
mother is taking this medication.
(2) Individuals sensitive to sour taste
should add sugar to the
formulation or consume it in capsule
form. Mixing it in warm
water or with sugar or honey makes
ingestion of Amalaki
powder easy.
(3) Amalaki has a cooling property and hence
individuals intolerant
to cold should consume it with ginger
powder and warm water
or honey. Even then if symptoms
worsen, medication with
Amalaki powder may be stopped.
(4) It is advisable for patients of acidity and
gastritis to avoid the
intake of spicy, hard, heavy, dry and raw foods,
particularly
leafy vegetables and salad. Tendency of
overeating and frequent
munching and use of alcoholic beverages should be
avoided.
Health Benefits of Amalaki powder for acidity and gastritis
Reviewed by PHARMACEUTICAL ENGINEERING
on
September 04, 2017
Rating: 5
Reviewed by PHARMACEUTICAL ENGINEERING
on
September 04, 2017
Rating: 5
