Also known as Melaka tree, from which the state of Malacca in Malaysia gets its name.
According to legend, Malacca was founded by a Sumatran prince, Parameswara, the 5th and last monarch of the kingdom of Singapura. Driven from his throne by the raiding Javanese, he escaped from Singapore by moving north. Tired, he rested under a Melaka tree. And while resting, he saw an inspiring scene of courage - a tiny mousedeer (instead of running away from his dogs, challengedthem). Regaining his courage, Parameswara decided to stop running. He stayed put and named the place after the tree he rested under.
The amla tree is considered to be the sacred dwelling of the god Vishnu. In other Hindu myths, amla is said to have originated from drops of amrit which spilled onto the earth following a battle between gods and demons. In the Sanskrit Buddhist tradition, half of the amla fruit was the final gift to the Buddhist sangha by the Indian emperor Ashoka.
The plant is a medium to large tree (about 18-32 m tall) with thick arching branches. Its branchlets are finely pubescent and bear simple leaves that are sub-sessile and closely set along branchlets, resembling pinnate leaves. The flowers are greenish-yellow and produced in clusters on axillaryshoots. The fruit is nearly spherical, light greenish-yellow, quite smooth and hard on appearance, with six, vertical stripes or furrows.
The sour fruits are rich in vitamin C and iron. It may be eaten raw or cooked. They are added to desserts and condiments, such as preserves, tarts and chutney. Outdoor laborers consume the fruit as a thirst quencher, because the sour taste stimulates saliva production.
In Ayurveda, amla is considered to be a potent rejuvenator and immunomodulator effective in stalling degenerative processes and senescence, and to promote longevity, enhance digestion, treat constipation and anemia, reduce fever and cough, alleviate asthma, strengthen the heart, benefit the eyes, stimulate hair growth, enliven the body, and enhance intellect.
Its fruit pulp is smeared on the head to dispel headache and dizziness, caused by excessive heat and fever. Its fruit juice is used for the treatment of inflamed eyes, colic, and other abdominal disorders.
Its dried fruits are sometimes used as a shampoo. Its fruits, leaves and bark are used for tanning and dyeing. Its leaves and fruits are used for animal fodder, whereas leaves can also be applied as green manure.
Scientific name: Phyllanthus emblica (Genus namemeans leaf-flower, referring to the flowers in the axils of the leaves of the phyllomorphic branch; Species name, emblica, is from the Sanskrit name amalika, which means sour, referring to the sour fruit)
Common names: Indian Gooseberry, Emblic, Amla, Amlaki
Family: Phyllanthaceae
Native Distribution: India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Southeast Asia, and China
Picture Credits: Wikimedia Commons
References:
