I am Indian Gooseberries (Amla), and this is my story.
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Image by Bishnu Sarangi from Pixabay
Let me give you an important disclaimer before I tell you my story. The name “gooseberry” is loosely used to describe cultivated plants from two species of genus Ribes (a genus of about 200 known species of flowering plants). Even though I am called ‘gooseberry’ in English, I am unrelated to Ribes but instead am part of the Phyllanthaceae family. My Hindi name ‘amla’ comes from Sanskrit amlaki, a deciduous tree of the same family. A little botany lecture will help you understand that I am different from a varieties of gooseberries native to Europe and North America.
On a side note, my so-called siblings, also ‘gooseberries’ led to some confusion. Planting gooseberries was banned in America from 1900 because they were believed to be the hosts for the damaging white pine blister rust disease. In 1966, this federal ban shifted to state by state jurisdictions, but as of now, the state of Maine still bans cultivating gooseberries. May I suggest that you remember me as Amla instead to avoid this gooseberries confusion.
The thousand dollar question: when you have choices of hundreds of fruits, why should you care about me and my story? It’s no surprise that I am called a “Superfruit” by my fan following around the world. A 100-gram serving of my fresh berries contains as much vitamin C (300 mg) as 20 oranges. I have been considered as one of the most important herbs with medicinal value. I am also the major ingredient in two very popular ayurvedic preparations “Triphala” (traditional herbal tonic for whole digestive system) and “Chyavanprash” (Ayurvedic elixir jelly that is a superb rejuvenator for the immune system, in particular the lungs).
Fruit smoothies - Image by silviarita from Pixabay
I know you are probably having a hard time thinking, where do you find me, and how do you eat me? If you’ve been making fruit smoothies, just add a few slices of my fruit (you can find me in frozen aisle of any Indian grocery store) in the mix and suddenly, you get the highest concentration of vitamin C for your immune system. Here is a little bit of chemistry to make my point:
My primary constituent — ascorbic acid (known as Vitamin C) — plays a critical role in many enzymatic process in your body, including blood vessel formation, wound healing mechanisms, iron absorption, and energy transfer. It also protects cellular membranes, and through its anti-oxidant properties, protects your immune system. But I am not a regular anti-oxidant. I am surprisingly high in protective bioflavonoids such as gallic acid, ellagic acid, and rutin, which provide a deep level of cellular protection. Ellagic acid specifically, has been noted to protect normal cells from radiation damage. Here are the other notable health benefits you get:
I contain soluble fiber, which dissolves quickly in the body, slowing the rate at which your body absorbs sugar. I can help reduce blood sugar spikes. For the same reason, I can have a positive effect on blood glucose and lipid counts in people with type 2 diabetes.
My high fiber content helps the body regulate bowel movements and may help to relieve symptoms from conditions like irritable bowel syndrome.
I contain several flavonols, chemicals that have been linked to improving your memory.
I am rich in Vitamin A, excellent for your eye health specially lowering the risk of lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration.
The Vitamin C in me helps your body produce norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter believed to improve brain function in people with dementia.
Try getting either whole or cut pieces from the frozen section in any Indian grocery store and use them, you will be glad you did.
Finally some recipes in which you can easily use me:
I am sour in taste, so replace lemon with me when you make Cilantro chutney or Salsa verde.
Make a juice with my fruit. Mix me with water and little ginger and blend it. Strain the juice, discarding the pulp. Mix with honey and drink it.
Some enthusiastic souls go overboard making Marmalade (called Murabba in hindi) with me. You can also buy the marmalade from Amazon.