The Amla Tree: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction
Amla, also known as Phyllanthus emblica or Indian gooseberry, is a small, spherical, yellowish-green berry that grows on the amla tree. Renowned for its significant medicinal properties, amla is a staple in various pharmaceutical compositions. In classical Ayurveda, amla is referred to by several names, including sour, nurse, immortality, and mother. This versatile fruit boasts five distinct flavors: pungent, acidic, sweet, bitter, and sour, contributing to its reputation as a divine remedy or “Divyaushadhi.” In Sanskrit, amla is called “Amalaki,” which translates to “nectar of life.”
Amla Tree: Quick Facts
| Botanical name | Phyllanthus emblica | | Kingdom | Plantae | | Order | Malpighiales | | Family | Phyllanthaceae | | Genus | Phyllanthus | | Varieties available | 9 varieties | | Also known as | Indian gooseberry, Embelic, Amlika, Aonla, etc. | | Height | 8 to 18 meters | | Climate | Tropical environment | | Sun exposure | Full sun | | Ideal temperature | 46 – 48 degrees Celsius | | Soil type | Well-drained, loamy to light heavy soil | | Soil pH | 6.5 to 9.5 |
Amla Tree: Physical Description
The amla tree is a small to medium-sized tree with spreading branches and a crooked trunk. Its bark is greyish-green and peels off in flakes. The leaves are simple, subsessile, and tightly spaced along the branchlets, which are glabrous or finely glandular, 10–20 cm long, and typically deciduous. The leaves appear pinnate and are light green.
The tree produces greenish-yellow, axillary fascicle-borne flowers that give birth to globose fruit. These fruits are fleshy, obscurely six-lobed, and measure 1-2.5 cm in diameter. They contain six trigonous seeds inside. When unripe, the fruits are green; when mature, they turn light yellow or brick red.
Where to Plant Amla Tree in House?
According to Vastu, planting an amla tree in the North or East direction of your house can fulfill one’s desires and bring prosperity and good luck. It is also recommended to worship the amla tree if you plant one in your garden.
How to Grow Amla Plant at Home?
To grow an amla plant at home, choose a container that is both deep and wide to accommodate the plant’s growth. Place the container in a spot that receives ample sunlight. Moisten the soil inside the pot, and once the amla seeds germinate, place them inside the pot. You may need to change pots periodically to allow the plant to grow bigger. Note that an amla plant starts bearing fruit 7-8 years after planting.
How to Plant Amla Seeds?
- In May and June, excavate 1 cubic meter pits spaced 4.5 meters apart.
- Leave the pits exposed to sunlight for 15 to 20 days.
- Before planting the grafted seedlings, fill each hole with surface soil blended with 15 kg of farmyard manure and 0.5 kg of phosphorus.
Irrigation
Young plants need to be watered every 15 days during the summer until they are well-established. For fruit-bearing plants, biweekly watering is recommended during the summer. After the monsoon, trees should receive approximately 25 to 30 liters of water per day through drip irrigation from October through December.
Harvesting and Yield
Amla trees begin to bear fruit two years after planting. The fruits are picked in February when they turn from bright green to a drab greenish-yellow color. Since the fruits are firm and will not drop when lightly touched, vigorous shaking is necessary. Long bamboo poles with hooks can also be used to pick the fruit. A mature tree that is 10 years old or older will produce 50–70 kg of fruit. The fruit weighs 60–70 g on average, and 1 kg contains roughly 15-20 fruits. A well-cared-for tree can produce fruit for up to 70 years.
Amla Tree: How to Care for It?
Training and Pruning
At the end of December, cut off any dead, diseased, or weak suckers, leaving only 4-5 well-shaped, wide-angle branches at a height of 0.75 meters or less from the ground.
Mulching and Intercropping
During the summer, mulch the base of the tree up to 15-20 cm from the trunk with paddy straw or wheat straw. Green gram, black gram, cowpea, and horse gram are intercrops that can be grown for up to 8 years.
Disease and Pest Control
- Major Insect: Bark Eating Caterpillar (Inderbella tetronis)
- Major Disease: Rust (Ravenellia emblicae)
Control Procedures
Endosulphon 0.05% or Monocrotophos 0.03% injected in holes and filled with dirt work well to protect trees against caterpillars that eat the bark. Rust can be controlled by applying Indofil M-45 at 0.3% twice—once in early September and again 15 days later.
Amla Tree: What Are the Benefits?
Hypertension and Diabetes
Amla has long been used as a natural therapy to manage or control diabetes. Stress-related disorders are the primary cause of diabetes. Amla is abundant in Vitamin C, an effective antioxidant that helps counteract the production of free radicals and the symptoms of oxidative stress. Regular intake of amla products can lower your risk of developing diabetes. The fibers in amla assist in absorbing extra sugar in the body, maintaining normal blood sugar levels.
Digestion
Amla berries contain an adequate amount of soluble dietary fiber, which helps regulate bowel movements and may relieve irritable bowel syndrome. Amla’s high vitamin C content aids in the absorption of important minerals, making it effective when combined with various health supplements.
Weight Loss
A slow metabolism can lead to fat buildup, and irregular eating patterns can result in unwanted fat. Amla helps remove toxins from the body and prevents fat production. For weight loss, it is typically advised to consume raw amla, amla candies, and amla powder with lukewarm water.
Better Eyesight
Amla is rich in Vitamin A, known to improve eye health. It can also lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration and conjunctivitis.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Amla aids in the body’s natural detoxification process during the menstrual cycle and helps maintain balanced hormone levels, increasing a woman’s fertility.
Amla Tree: Is It Toxic?
Amla is not toxic, but excessive consumption should be avoided. Here are some precautions to take when consuming amla:
- Consuming amla products can raise the risk of bleeding for some allergic individuals.
- Diabetics should consume amla with caution as it can significantly lower blood sugar levels.
- High doses of amla juice may cause skin dryness.
- Amla should not be consumed if you are coughing or have worsened Kapha issues.
- Amla is not advised before, during, or after surgery as it may increase the risk of bleeding.
Conclusion
The amla tree, with its rich history and numerous health benefits, is a valuable addition to any garden. Whether you are looking to improve your health, enhance your garden’s beauty, or simply enjoy the fruit’s unique flavors, the amla tree is a versatile and rewarding plant to grow. By following the guidelines for planting, caring, and harvesting, you can enjoy the many benefits this remarkable tree has to offer.
FAQs
Got any questions or points of view on our article? We would love to hear from you. Write to our Editor-in-Chief Rajat Piplewar at rajat@bhume.in.