Amla (Indian Gooseberry): A Hardy Native Fruit Tree for Jaipur
Phyllanthus emblica
Amla is a tough native fruit tree that grows in dry, poor and even salty soils, needs little water once settled, and gives vitamin C-rich fruit every winter. Here is how to plant and care for it in Jaipur.
Benefits
Benefits
Food
The sour, astringent fruit is eaten raw or made into murabba, pickle, candy and juice. It is very high in vitamin C; one variety, BSR-1, has been reported at 620 mg per 100 g. Amla was even issued to Indian troops in World War II as a vitamin C ration.
Traditional medicine
Amla is traditionally used in Ayurveda for digestion, coughs and general vitality, and is a main ingredient of Triphala and Chyavanprash. These are traditional uses, not proven cures.
Bees, soil and farm uses
- Pollinators: honeybees visit the flowers in the morning and late evening; wind also helps pollination.
- Soil: branches are lopped for green manure and are said to help correct very alkaline soils. Mulching the basin raises soil organic matter.
- Fodder: the leaves are used as cattle fodder.
- Wood: the hard red wood is used for small construction and tools. It lasts well under water and has traditionally been used in wells.
- Other uses: the bark, fruit and leaves are rich in tannin and give dyes and ink. Dried fruit is used in hair care.
- Beauty: with its fine, feathery foliage, amla is a graceful ornamental tree.
- Edible: The sour fruit is eaten raw or made into murabba, pickle, candy and juice. It is very high in vitamin C (one variety, BSR-1, reported at 620 mg/100 g).
- Medicinal: Traditionally used in Ayurveda for digestion, coughs and general vitality; a main ingredient of Triphala and Chyavanprash. These are traditional uses, not proven cures.
- Pollinators: Honeybees work the flowers in the morning and late evening; wind also helps pollination.
- Soil health: Lopped branches are used as green manure and are said to help correct very alkaline soils; mulching the basin raises soil organic matter.
- Fodder: The foliage is used as cattle fodder.
- Timber: Hard red wood used for minor construction and implements; durable under water and traditionally used in wells.
- Other: Bark, fruit and leaves are rich in tannin and yield dyes and ink; the dried fruit is used in hair care.
- Ornamental: A graceful ornamental tree with fine, feathery-looking foliage.
This article was prepared with AI assistance. Please check important details against the sources shown in each section.
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