Herb. No. 169 · Phyllanthaceae
Indian subcontinent tree of dry deciduous forest. A tropical orchard fruit.
Native · South Asia
Native Also grown
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Amla
Phyllanthus emblica
Indian gooseberry — a sour, tannic fruit that Ayurveda treats as a rasayana, and that kitchens pickle in sugar and spice.
Amla is a small sour fruit of the Indian subcontinent, eaten fresh, dried, or as a preserve. Traditional use is as a food-tonic for recovery and a souring agent. Culinary fruit is the path. It is one-third of triphala. A tropical tree, not a temperate orchard.
Flavor
Sour, astringent, then a sweet aftertaste. Murabba is the fruit in syrup; powder is tart dust.
Parts used
Fruit
Helpful
- A true food-fruit
- A long written record
Cautions
- Not a temperate tree
- Very sour raw
- Tannin