Indian gooseberry

From Wild India

Indian Gooseberry (Emblica officinalis) is a type of deciduous tree found in the Indian subcontinent that bears the fruit of the same name. Other synonymous scientific names are Amlica embillicus and Phyllanthus emblica. It belongs to the plant family euphorbiaceae. It is popularly known as Amla in Hindi. Other names are Aonla, Aola, Amalaki, Nelli, Amla-berry and Dharty.

The edible fruit is round shaped light greenish yellow with 6 vertical stripes and ripens in autumn. The fruit is bitter-sour in taste and also being more fibrous than most fruits cannot be consumed raw in vast quantitites. It is taken with salt, and a glass of water taken immediately after eating a large fruit makes the water seem sweeter. It is rich source of vitamin C and the fruit is pickled and also used as a main ingredient in the Ayurvedic tonic Chyawanprash. Its extract is popularly used in inks, dyes, shampoos and hair oils.

In Hinduism it is regarded as a sacred tree and worshipped as Mother Earth in India.