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Indian Gooseberry

Botanical Name(s): Emblica Officinalis
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Euphorbiales
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Genus: Phyllanthus L
Species: Phyllanthus emblica L.
Popular Name(s): Phyllanthus Emblica, Emblica, Amla
Parts Used: Fruit
Habitat: Northern and South Western India

Description
The bark of Indian gooseberry, also known as amla, is gray in color and peals in irregular patches. Its feathery leaves, which smell like lemon, are of linear oblong shape and size 10 to 12 mm in length and 3 to 6 mm in width. The flowers of this herb are monoecioius, having greenish-yellow color. They grow in auxiliary clusters and start appearing at the beginning of spring season. The fruit is almost spherical in shape, light-greenish yellow in color and appears to be very hard. Its taste is sour and bitter.

Plant chemicals
The active ingredient that has significant pharma-cological action in the plant has been designated 'phyllemblin' by the scientists in India. The other ingredients contained in the herb are gallic acid, tannins, pectin, and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C).

Uses & Benefits of Indian Gooseberry