Amalaki also known as Indian gooseberry, is a pale green fruit from a tree about the size of a lemon tree, with rubber like leaves. Amalaki grows in Northern Indian forests close to the Himalayan Mountains. The tree is of the Euphorbiaceae family. The fruit is about the size of a lemon fruit and has a sweet, tart taste.

The fruit is almost spherical, light greenish yellow, smooth and hard, with 6 vertical stripes or furrows. Amalaki fruit is a great rejuvenating fruit in Ayurvedic healing. Amalaki means 'the sustainer' in Sanskrit. The list of health benefits of amalaki is extensive.

The fruit ripens in autumn, the berries are picked by hand from the upper branches carrying the fruits. The taste of Indian gooseberry is sour, and fibrous. It is common in India to eat gooseberries soaked in salt water and turmeric to make them more palatable.

The amalaki fruit has been used in the Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. In Ayurveda the dried and fresh fruits are used. All parts of the plant are used in various Ayurvedic medical preparations, including the fruit, seed, leaves, root, bark and flowers. According to Ayurveda, amalaki may be used as a rejuvenative to promote health and longevity, enliven the body, to enhance digestion, treat constipation, reduce fever, purify the blood, reduce cough, alleviate asthma, strengthen the heart, benefit the eyes, stimulate hair growth and enhance intellect.

Amlaki is an anti"oxidant with the richest natural source of vitamin C. It has been used successfully to treat scurvy. It is a rich source of several powerful antioxidants, amino acids, gallic acid, tannic acid, albumin cellulose, polyphenols, tannins, bioflavanoids, trace minerals and phytonutrients.

Amlaki is utilized to tone and strengthen the muscles of the heart. It assists in reducing the risk of heart sicknesses like strokes. It's also a useful treatment of peptic ulcers as well as in non-ulcer dyspepsia. It rejuvenates skin, prevents infections and increases immunity. It has historically been used to treat eye conditions, liver problems and the heart. It is said to be the world's predominant herbal rejuvenating food.

Amlaki is one of the three ingredients in Triphala. Triphala is one of the most used herbal compounds in Ayurvedic medication. Triphala means 'three fruits' the three fruits in Triphala are Amalaki, Haritaki and Bibhitaki. Triphala comes in several forms, including powder, tablets, or Triphala Ghee which is a paste and as a strong tasting juice. It is assumed in India that if an Ayurvedic doctor knows how to use Triphala, he will be able to cure any disease.

Triphala helps the digestive system where it aids in the assimilation of food, helping to stop flatulence and for liver function. Triphala is one of the longest-used herbal cures in the world.