Top 30 Interesting Benefits and Uses of Amla Juice for Skin, Hair, and Health
From the ancient Indian scriptures to the research papers on modern medicine, the remarkable benefits of amla, or Indian gooseberry have been known to man for over centuries. This fruit is often consumed raw, in pickles, in chutneys, and its juiced form. Amla juice is packed with several cancer-fighting natural antioxidants, and it offers generous benefits for the skin, hair and health. Here are the top thirty wonders of this healthful beverage:
Benefits of Amla Juice for Skin
1. It Prevents Aging:
Amla juice contains ample doses of antioxidants, vitamins C and A, both of which are known for their anti-aging properties. Vitamin C boosts the production of collagen - the skin’s structural tissue, while vitamin A (retinol) also enhances skin cell turnover. Both vitamins even prevent free radical formation, thereby preventing premature skin wrinkling.
2. It Lightens Scars:
Vitamin C plays a huge role in skin repair, and it thus helps reduce the appearance of acne and wound scars. You can either consume amla juice on a daily basis or apply it topically to the affected area twice every day for best results.
3. It Exfoliates the Skin:
Did you know amla juice is an excellent exfoliant too? Applying amla juice topically on your skin not only helps cleanse it but also mildly exfoliates it and removes dead skin cells. To avoid any adverse reaction, do a patch test before applying amla juice on your skin and dilute it with water before application if your skin is sensitive.
4. It Tones The Skin:
Amla juice offers many benefits for skin, but what’s amazing is that it also allows you to replace some of your store-purchased beauty products. Ditch the harsh chemical toners; amla juice has natural astringent properties and can act as a wonderful toner for your skin. It helps tighten pores, regulates skin’s pH and gives the skin a refreshing glow. Dip a ball of cotton in amla juice and dab it on your skin after your morning shower every day.
5. It Gives your Skin a Natural Lift:
Another incredible benefit of amla juice for skin is its ability to give it a natural lift. As the skin ages, it starts to get saggy and dull. Vitamin C contained in amla juice stimulates the production of collagen, a tissue that helps plump the skin and lift it up.
Benefits of Amla Juice for Hair
6. It Promotes Hair Growth:
One of the oldest granny remedies for hair fall is amla. Amla contains numerous hair-friendly minerals, phytonutrients, and vitamins that help strengthen the hair follicles. Massaging amla juice on your scalp before hair wash increases blood circulation and thereby stimulates hair growth. Drinking amla juice the first thing in the morning is also a great way to enhance hair growth.
7. It Prevents Premature Graying:
The benefits of amla juice for hair also extend to the prevention of premature hair graying. As per Ayurveda, a common cause of premature graying is excess pitta dosha in the body. Drinking amla juice naturally helps cool the body and thus reduces pitta dosha associated symptoms. Amla also acts as a natural dye, thus making the hair darker. When washing your hair, ensure that your final rinse is with amla juice.
8. It Treats Dandruff:
One of the greatest causes of dandruff is fungal activity. Owing to the anti-microbial properties of amla, it helps treat and prevent the recurrence of dandruff. It also contains zinc, another nutrient that fights dandruff. Massage your scalp with amla juice, and leave it on for 30 minutes before washing your hair.
9. It Conditions the Hair:
Conditioning is another benefit of amla juice for hair. Rinsing your hair with it helps nourish the hair, making it lustrous and soft. It is also an excellent natural cleanser.
Health Benefits of Amla Juice
10. It Benefits Diabetics:
The presence of chromium in amla has remarkable benefits for diabetics or those susceptible to diabetes. Amla juice has the capability of stimulating the isolated group of cells responsible for secreting the hormone insulin. It thus helps lower blood sugar in diabetic patients, making them more active and energetic.
11. It improves Eyesight:
Amla juice contains high levels of carotene, a carotenoid that has remarkable benefits towards treating and preventing vision-related problems like cataracts. It also contains vitamin A that helps reduce the incidence of age-related macular degeneration and night blindness and improve eyesight
12. It Enhances Metabolic Activity:
The health benefits of amla juice also come from the presence of protein in it. Protein is one of the most important nutrients needed by the body to perform metabolic activities like muscle development, cellular growth and maintaining regular organ functioning.
13. It Aids Digestion:
Being high in fiber, amla juice does wonders to regulate bowel movements and thereby reduces the risk of constipation. It also helps stimulate digestive juices, thus helping the body ease digestion and absorb nutrients better.
14. It Stimulates Weight Loss:
Amla juice benefits for weight loss are also known far and wide. Not only does its high content of fiber improve digestion, but it also induces the feeling of fullness for long periods, thus preventing pointless and unhealthy snacking.
15. It Enhances Immunity:
Amla juice has numerous antibacterial properties that fight fungal and viral infections. It is rich in the immune-boosting vitamin C that strengthens body’s natural defense mechanism.
16. It Offers Many Benefits During Pregnancy:
Amla juice benefits during pregnancy are far too many to ignore. It helps prevent pregnancy-related mood swings, lowers the risk of gestational diabetes, preterm birth, and UTI. It also relieves constipation, a common trouble faced by pregnant women.
17. It Lowers the Risk of CVDs:
Of all the health benefits of amla juice, this is probably the most important one because of the high number of CVD patients in the world today. Amla, being rich in iron and fiber lowers LDL cholesterol levels, the accumulation of which can trigger heart disease.It also inhibits the activity of chemical, thiobarbituric acid (TBA) that enhances LDL oxidation. Amla juice even cleanses the arteries.
18. It Enhances Appetite:
While you know about amla juice benefits for weight loss, you should also know that it can help those looking to increase their appetite as well. Mix two teaspoons of amla juice with lemon juice and honey in a cup of water. Drink the concoction on an empty stomach, first thing every morning. Amla juice helps balance nitrogen levels resulting in a healthy increase in weight.
19. It Flushes Out Toxins:
Amla juice has diuretic properties that can increase the frequency or urination and rid your body of toxins.
20. It Has Anti-Carcinogenic Properties:
Cancer, the deadly malady can also be prevented by amla juice. A study published in the European Journal of Cancer Prevention highlights that the free radical scavenging, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic and immunomodulatory properties of amla are useful in the treatment and prevention of cancer.
21. It Boosts Bone Health:
Vitamin C, essential for calcium absorption, is present in huge quantities in amla juice. It, therefore, helps improve bone health. Amla extracts also help slow down the activity of osteoclasts - the cells that cause the bones to break.
22. It Fights Inflammation:
Inflammation is one of the biggest causes of arthritis and its associated pain. Owing to the anti-inflammatory properties of amla juice, it helps reduce swelling in the joints and, therefore, relives pain.
23. It Improves Gastric Health:
Amla juice also has remarkable cooling benefits that provide relief from gastric syndrome and hyperchlorhydria - the incidence of burning sensation in the stomach.
24. It Protects the Liver:
Many studies report the hepaprotective activity of amla. The free radical scavenging, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties of amla help aid in the protection of liver.
25. It Soothes Menstrual Cramps:
Not only does amla juice benefit during pregnancy, but it also helps women on their period. To get the best out of amla juice, start consuming it, at least one week before your cycle. It will provide immense relief.
26. It Improves Mental Health:
Known for its ability to enhance blood flow, amla improves nerve function. The high antioxidant content in amla juice is known to prevent free radical damage responsible for triggering diseases like Alzheimer’s. Being rich in iron, amla also regulates the supply of oxygen to the brain, thus preventing cognitive decline.
27. It Increases Chances of Conception:
According to Ayurveda, amla improves reproductive function in both males and females. Consumption of amla juice is known to enhance the quality of sperms.
28. It Prevents Respiratory Problems:
Amla juice also provides relief from common respiratory problems like flu, tuberculosis, asthma, chronic cough, and blocked chest. Its high vitamin C content reduces the risk of developing a common cold.
29. It Prevents Anemia:
Iron deficiency anemia is common amongst young women. Daily consumption of iron-rich amla juice can lower the risk and severity of anemia.
30. It Lowers Stress:
One of the biggest triggers for most modern-day ailments is stress. Vitamin C present in amla juice offers stress-busting benefits that can help induce a state of calmness. Drink a glass of amla juice every day or massage your scalp with it when you’re facing trouble sleeping.
If you’d like to know more about the Ayurvedic associations of this wonder drink for any health problem you are facing, Chikitsa can help you find the best Ayurvedic specialists in your city. Juice your way to good health!