Amla / Emblic Myrobalan (آملہ) is scintifically known as Phyllanthus Emblica. What makes amla so potent is the presence of zillion nutrients, which is not usual to be present in one single fruit or vegetable. It has almost twice the antioxidant power of acai berry and about 17 times that of pomegranate. Amla is one of the richest sources of vitamin C. It contains an array of antioxidants such as emblicanin, phyllantine,  quercetin, gallic acid, and ellagic acid. Amla also contains a high concentration of minerals, amino acids, as well as strong immunity boosting properties.

Amla, in its many wonderful forms has been used since generations. There are so many benefits of amla for skin. It prevents your skin from ageing by reducing wrinkles and lines. Amla powder for skin can be used as an exfoliator as well as an astringent because of the amount of anti-oxidants in it. It also helps clear that pesky acne and those blemishes. Amla, an excellent hair tonic, has played a key role in the long, thick, and beautiful hair of women. This wonderful berry acts as a natural conditioner, minimizes hair loss and greying, and encourages strong and healthy hair growth.

Amla Powder For Skin:

1. Amla Scrub:

Mix amla powder with a teaspoon of tamarind paste. Mix it in well and apply over the face. Scrub the skin in circular motions. After leaving this on for 10 minutes, rinse it off with warm water.

2. Amla Facial: 

Mix amla powder and honey with yoghurt to form a thick paste. Apply this on your skin and leave it on for about 20 minutes and then wash it off with warm water. This facial makes your skin clean and smooth. It can be repeated twice a week for best results.

3. Amla Face Pack: 

This pack can also be used to reduce acne and other skin problems. Boil tea leave in water. After this decoction cools down, strain it and mix it with amla powder to make a paste. Mix in a teaspoon of honey and apply on the face. Once the pack dries fully, wash it off with warm water.

4. Amla Skin Lightening Pack: 

Mash a few pieces of papaya. Make a paste with the amla powder and add it to the papaya. Also mix in a teaspoon of honey. Leave this pack on for 15 minutes before washing it off. This paste reduces pigmentation and dark circles and makes your skin fairer.

Amla Powder For Hair:

Amla can be used as a remedy for hair loss. Amla nourishes hair, making it thicker and stronger. Amla also provides luster to hair that is dull and dry. You can also control conditions like premature graying of the hair with the help of amla. Amla moisturizes the scalp to help control dandruff and other issues related to the scalp.

You can also use amla powder in several ways to make nourishing hair packs, as follows:

1. Strengthening Pack:

Make a paste with 2 teaspoons of amla powder and warm water. To this paste, add yoghurt and honey. Apply this paste evenly on your scalp and hair strands. Allow it to stay for about 30 minutes before you rinse it off completely. This pack strengthens the hair root and provides the luster to dry and dull hair.

2. Anti Dandruff Pack: 

This pack not only cures dandruff but also takes care of rashes on the scalp and reduces hair loss. It also acts a coloring agent. Mix amla powder and shikakai powder in a bowl. Make a paste using curd. Apply this to the scalp; leave on for about half-an-hour and wash with water. You could also use amla powder mixed with two teaspoons of lime juice and apply to the scalp and wash off with shikakai. Amla can also be used in combination with tulsi or basil for action against dandruff. Make a paste of amla powder in water. Grind 10 tulsi leaves with a little water and mix this paste into the amla paste and apply on the scalp. Leave on for about 30 minutes and then wash with water.

3. Hair Color Enhancer:

Amla can be added to your home-made paste to cover grey hair. By itself, amla does not have the ability to dye hair; however, it can help tone down the red or brown colour of a henna-indigo hair colour. Along with this, amla also helps give a natural shine to the hair after you have washed off the dye. When mixing in amla powder, it is important to add it last into the paste, just before you apply the paste to your hair. When used with henna powder, it helps in enhancing the natural hair colour. A mixture of amla and shikakai powder can also be used to color the hair naturally.