Herbs (Global Traditional) · Ayurveda
Amla (Phyllanthus emblica) (Phyllanthus emblica)
Strong Evidencebotanical
Hermetica Superfood Encyclopedia
Amla (Phyllanthus emblica) is an Ayurvedic fruit containing 93-95% polyphenols in standardized extracts, providing potent antioxidant activity. Its methanolic extract shows preliminary evidence of modulating 15-lipoxygenase pathways involved in inflammatory responses.
Amla, also known as Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica), is a fruit extracted from a tree native to South Asia. The extract is obtained through various methods including microwave-assisted solvent extraction, maceration with ethanol or methanol, and ultrasound-assisted extraction, yielding standardized extracts containing 93-95% polyphenol content by mass.
The research dossier contains no human clinical trials, randomized controlled trials, or meta-analyses with PubMed PMIDs. The only study referenced is a computational simulation and in vitro analysis examining amla's effects on inflammatory pathways, representing laboratory research rather than clinical evidence.
No clinically studied dosage ranges for human use are provided in the research. Laboratory extraction studies document that 20 grams of powdered amla fruit extracted with 200 mL of methanol yields a crude extract with 2.53% yield, but this reflects extraction methodology rather than therapeutic dosing. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
Amla (Phyllanthus emblica) fresh fruit (per 100g edible portion): Macronutrients — Carbohydrates ~10g, Dietary fiber ~4.3g (both soluble and insoluble fractions), Protein ~0.5g, Fat ~0.1g, Water ~81-87g, Energy ~44 kcal. Micronutrients — Vitamin C (ascorbic acid): 470-680mg per 100g fresh fruit (exceptionally high; some analyses report up to 900mg in certain cultivars), making it one of the richest natural sources; notably, amla's vitamin C is considered more stable than synthetic ascorbic acid due to tannin-bound complexes that resist oxidative degradation. Calcium: ~25mg/100g. Phosphorus: ~27mg/100g. Iron: ~1.2mg/100g. Potassium: ~198mg/100g. Magnesium: ~10mg/100g. Sodium: ~1mg/100g. Bioactive Compounds — Total polyphenols: 1,100-1,800mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per 100g fresh weight; standardized commercial extracts concentrated to 93-95% polyphenols. Hydrolyzable tannins: emblicanin A and emblicanin B (unique to P. emblica, ~37% and ~32% respectively of tannin fraction), ellagic acid (~3-5mg/g dry weight), gallic acid (~2-4mg/g dry weight), chebulinic acid, corilagin, and punicalagin. Flavonoids: quercetin, kaempferol, and rutin in smaller concentrations (~1-3mg/100g combined). Phyllemblic acid and phyllaemblinol identified as minor constituents. Bioavailability Notes — The vitamin C in amla is partially bound to tannin complexes, which may slow absorption but improve stability; bioavailability compared to free ascorbic acid is not fully characterized in controlled human studies. Polyphenol bioavailability is subject to gut microbiome-dependent metabolism (e.g., conversion of ellagitannins to urolithins); inter-individual variation is significant. Dried or powdered amla retains a higher proportion of stable tannin-bound polyphenols but loses some free ascorbic acid during processing. Data primarily derived from chemical analysis studies; human pharmacokinetic data remain limited.
Amla's methanolic extract appears to interact with 15-lipoxygenase enzymes, which are key mediators in the arachidonic acid pathway that produces inflammatory leukotrienes. The fruit's exceptionally high polyphenol concentration (93-95% in standardized extracts) provides antioxidant activity through free radical scavenging and metal chelation. Computational modeling suggests these polyphenolic compounds may bind to specific inflammatory enzyme active sites.
Current evidence for amla is primarily based on computational modeling studies examining its anti-inflammatory potential through 15-lipoxygenase inhibition. Human clinical trials are limited, with most research focusing on standardized extract characterization showing consistent 93-95% polyphenol content. The preliminary nature of available evidence means therapeutic effects in humans remain largely theoretical. More robust clinical trials with defined sample sizes and measurable endpoints are needed to establish efficacy.
Amla is generally recognized as safe when consumed as a traditional food, but safety data for concentrated extracts is limited. No significant drug interactions have been documented, though theoretical interactions with anticoagulants may exist due to potential antiplatelet effects. Gastrointestinal upset may occur with high doses of concentrated extracts. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid supplemental doses due to insufficient safety data.
