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.