Unlike modern medicine or other medicinal products, ayurvedic herbs and fruits are found all around us. Drawing from our nature and surroundings, Ayurveda provides us with ingredients as well as remedies, from readily available products. One such ingredient is the Indian gooseberry.

Amla, also known as Indian gooseberry, is a very popular ayurvedic fruit in southeast Asia. This tree is famous for its small, green fruits, which have a unique taste that is often described as sour, bitter, and sharp. The great thing about Amla is that it is available in many different forms. Whether it is candied, pickled, or raw so that you can make different dishes or add them to your food. You may also find amla available in powered form or as juice in certain products. However, if you are buying packaged amla, it is best to look at the ingredients that are taken to make it.

Ayurvedic Benefits of Amla Juice

Amla juice is not just tasty and easy to use; it's also very healthy and offers many benefits.

Boosts Your Immune System

Amla juice is packed with vitamin C, a strong helper for your body's defenses. This vitamin protects cells from damage and helps your immune system work better. Getting enough vitamin C may help prevent infections and even shorten colds. While animal studies show protection against cell damage, more human research is needed to fully understand amla juice's effect on immunity.

Supports Liver Health

Promising animal studies suggest amla juice can improve liver function. For instance, it helped prevent fatty liver disease in rats on high-sugar or high-fat diets. Amla juice is rich in antioxidants and has strong anti-inflammatory qualities, both beneficial for liver health. However, more human research is needed to confirm these liver benefits.

Aids Digestion

Amla juice may help your digestion. A study on people with acid reflux found amla extract significantly reduced heartburn. Older animal studies suggest amla fruit can help with diarrhea, stomach cramps, and may even heal stomach ulcers due to its antioxidants. Further studies are needed to see how drinking amla juice specifically affects human digestion.

Promotes Heart Health

Studies suggest amla extract can improve heart health by reducing bad cholesterol, triglycerides, and inflammation. It also helps lower blood pressure, a key risk factor for heart disease. These studies used concentrated extract, so more research is needed to confirm if drinking amla juice offers the same heart benefits, especially for cholesterol management and blood pressure.

May Encourage Hair Growth

Amla is often used to boost hair growth and prevent hair loss. Studies show applying amla-based serums can improve hair growth. Amla may block an enzyme linked to hair loss and stimulate hair follicle cells. While amla juice contains helpful nutrients like antioxidants and vitamin C, more research is needed to understand if drinking it directly affects hair health.

Boosts Kidney Health

Amla juice appears to support kidney health, likely due to its antioxidants. Animal studies show amla extract protects against kidney damage and helps maintain kidney function, even in cases of age-related issues or toxin exposure. It also helps increase beneficial antioxidant levels in the kidneys. More research is necessary to see how normal amounts of amla juice affect human kidney function.

Amaranth gets its name from a Greek word meaning "unfading." This plant has bright red flowers that stay colorful all summer, making it look beautiful. But the best part of amaranth isn't its flowers – it's the tiny seeds. Once harvested, these seeds are used much like other grains such as rice and oats.

Amaranth originally comes from Mexico and C.entral America. It was a main food for the Aztecs, and it's still eaten there today. In the U.S., amaranth has become very popular as more people learn about how good it is for you. It's easy to see why, with its nutty, slightly sweet taste and how easily it can be used in many recipes.

Amaranth's Health Benefits

The nutrients packed into amaranth can offer significant health advantages when included in a balanced diet. It's a good source of Vitamin C, which is vital for healing, helping your body process iron, form blood vessels, repair muscle tissue, and maintain collagen.

Naturally Gluten-Free

Amaranth is an excellent choice for people with Celiac disease, a condition where eating wheat gluten can harm the small intestine.

High in Protein

Amaranth is one of the best plant-based sources of protein available. Its protein is easily absorbed by the body and contains all the essential amino acids, including lysine, which is often missing in other grains. Studies show that amaranth proteins are very similar to animal proteins.

Rich in Antioxidants

Amaranth is full of antioxidants like gallic acid and vanillic acid. These help fight free radicals, which are harmful byproducts of normal cell activity. Antioxidants can help reduce everything from signs of aging to the risk of heart disease.

Eases Inflammation

Some allergic reactions cause uncomfortable swelling due to a substance called immunoglobulin E. Early studies suggest that amaranth might help slow down the body's production of this substance.

Lowers Cholesterol

Two animal studies have shown that amaranth and its oil can significantly lower "bad" LDL cholesterol without affecting "good" HDL cholesterol. More research is needed to see how amaranth affects cholesterol in humans.

Amaranth for Your Skin

Amaranth oil is becoming more common in beauty and skin care products. This oil, made from processing the seeds, has several things that can soothe and protect your skin. These include:

Squalene

Amaranth seeds are especially rich in squalene. Your body naturally makes squalene, and it's also found in plants and animals. As you get older, your body makes less of it, which can lead to dry skin and signs of aging. When squalene comes from plants, it's processed to be more stable, turning into squalane. Squalane can moisturize your skin without blocking pores and has properties that might help with acne and eczema.

Amaranth for Hair

The squalane in amaranth oil also benefits your hair. It can moisturize your hair, making it smoother and adding a glossy shine. You can try massaging a few drops into your scalp, then rinsing it out.

The tocopherols in amaranth oil are also good for your hair, as they protect it from the damaging effects of sunlight. Additionally, amaranth oil strengthens your hair and can help reduce greasiness.

Hair is an important part of beauty and self-care for people. While people who sport short hairstyles may not spend a lot on their haircare routine, people who have long hair go through many products and treatments for their hair. However, these products and treatments do not have to be expensive or exclusive. Many ayurvedic treatments happen to be with inexpensive products, many of which you can find easily available around you.

Our elders have always cherished health and lustrous hair. These were backed by the tradition of pampering their children with warm, herbal head massages. These soothing rituals are often followed by a cleanse with frothy reetha (soapnuts) and a final rinse with fragrant water. This cherished care and attention is widely believed to contribute to the development of thick, lustrous, and healthy hair.

Ayurvedic Remedies For Healthy Hair?

These age-old practices can be traced back to Hindu myths and religious texts, known as the Vedas. In these ancient scriptures, angry deities were often depicted with unruly hair, while patient and serene ones boasted thick, curly locks or smooth, elegant braids.

These myths, along with the Ayurvedic practices they inspire, form the foundation of traditional hair care in India. You can easily apply these same time-tested remedies at home to encourage robust hair growth and achieve shiny, bouncy tresses.

Tailoring Hair Care to Your Ayurvedic Hair Type

Ayurveda emphasizes working with your individual hair type, which is determined by your dominant dosha:

Vata Hair Qualities

Individuals with a dominant vata dosha have a higher proportion of air and ether elements. If balanced, they typically have naturally wavy hair and a somewhat dry scalp. Vata hair is often porous, meaning it readily absorbs products and dyes. However, this also makes it prone to absorbing dust, smoke, and environmental toxins, increasing its susceptibility to breakage and damage. An overall vata imbalance can lead to an oily scalp with itchy dandruff, hair fall, or sluggish hair growth.

Pitta Hair Qualities

Pitta types possess a greater proportion of fire and water, or fire and air. A balanced pitta dosha usually results in naturally straight, silky hair. Their hair tends to be moderately resistant to dyes and colors due to its typically dense hair follicles. This density also makes it more resistant to both topically applied nutrients and air pollution. An imbalanced pitta dosha can cause either dryness or oiliness on the scalp, depending on the specific proportions of air and water elements. Imbalanced pitta may also contribute to hair fall and slow hair growth.

Kapha Hair Qualities

Kapha types have a higher proportion of earth and water elements. A person with a balanced kapha dosha will likely have naturally curly hair with a coarse texture and an oily scalp. The hair follicle in kapha types is often very dense, making it less receptive to nutrients or dyes. When this dosha becomes unbalanced, hair may become fine and brittle, breaking easily. Interestingly, kapha types are generally the least likely to experience significant hair loss, though their hair growth might be slower.

Weight loss is a popular term that is a major concern for many people all around the world. While some people wish to lose weight to look a certain way, others lose weight for health reasons. Our body weight has a great impact on our health. Being overweight comes with concerns like high blood sugar, high cholesterol, as well as concerns over your bone and joint health. Being underweight also poses an issue, problems like anemia, fatigue, weakened immune system as well as menstrual irregularities for women.

The best way to ensure you get a healthy weight is by eating healthy foods and losing weight with natural herbs and practices. Ayurveda not only teaches us about herbs, but also shows us healthy ways of living that will ensure our health and every aspect of it.

What Ayurvedic Herbs Are Useful For Weight Loss?

A nutritious diet and regular physical activity are key to weight loss, but certain herbs and spices can also play a supportive role. Ayurvedic herbs can help you along your weight management journey. Many spices have also demonstrated the ability to curb cravings and enhance fat burning.

Fenugreek

Derived from the Trigonella foenum-graecum plant, fenugreek is a common spice that has been shown to help control appetite and reduce food intake. Studies suggest that daily supplementation with fenugreek fiber can increase feelings of fullness and decrease hunger, leading to lower calorie consumption.

Ginger

Ginger, a spice from the Zingiber officinale plant, is often used in folk medicine. Studies suggest it can aid weight loss by increasing metabolism and fat burning, while simultaneously decreasing fat absorption and appetite. Reviews of human studies have shown that ginger supplementation can significantly reduce body weight and belly fat.

Caralluma Fimbriata

Often found in diet pills, Caralluma Fimbriata is believed to work by increasing serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter that affects appetite. Studies have shown that supplementation with this herb can lead to significant decreases in belly fat, body weight, and hunger levels.

Turmeric

Renowned for its flavor and medicinal properties, turmeric contains curcumin, a compound linked to various health benefits, including weight loss. Studies have shown that concentrated curcumin can enhance fat loss, decrease belly fat, and increase overall weight loss. It's important to note that these studies use much higher concentrations of curcumin than typically found in turmeric.

Black Pepper

This common spice contains piperine, a compound that contributes to its pungent flavor and potential weight-lowering effects. Animal studies have shown that piperine can help reduce body weight and inhibit fat cell formation. However, human research on black pepper's direct impact on weight loss is currently limited.

Cinnamon

An aromatic spice, cinnamon is rich in antioxidants and may aid weight loss by stabilizing blood sugar levels, which can reduce appetite and hunger. A compound in cinnamon can mimic insulin's effects, helping transport sugar to cells for fuel. It may also slow carbohydrate breakdown, potentially leading to decreased appetite.

Cumin

This spice is known for its distinct flavor and potential to accelerate weight loss and fat burning. Studies have shown that consistent cumin consumption can lead to greater weight and body fat loss compared to control groups.