Amla ~ The next superfood?

I grew up in India surrounded by Amla trees and loved eating the astringent sour juicy fruit plucked from the tree. I knew the fruit was used in ayurvedic tonics but did not realise it had so many wonderful properties or I would have treated it with more reverence!
Amla or Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis) is the fruit of a deciduous tree found mainly in India. It is small and greenish-yellow with vertical stripes and resembles gooseberry (hence the name). When I started researching it, I was amazed to discover that to list all of its reputed benefits would take forever but here is the condensed version.
Amla is believed to have cell rejuvenating properties and is used extensively in India for glossy healthy hair and to prevent dandruff. A paste made from dried and powdered amla is commonly applied to maintain healthy hair. It makes a wonderful hair tonic for people suffering from hair loss as it is supposed to strengthen the roots. It also helps combat thinning and premature greying, presumably by making the hair shaft stronger. Mixing amla with henna and indigo not only provides all the above benefits but also tones down the red shade of henna to dye the hair brunette.
I was surprised to learn that amla can also be used as a deep-cleanser for hair and body. Apparently, using amla regularly to wash dull, limp and oily hair makes it thick, bouncy and lustrous. It is also an excellent exfoliating, anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial astringent scrub for your face,without the alcohol or chemicals found in commercial products. Its high levels of vitamin C break up the top layer of dead skin cells, and bits of amla seed gently exfoliate the skin. Mix a spoonful of amla powder and enough warm water to make a yogurt like paste and let it rest for 15 minutes. Scrub your face with the paste, and wash it off after a minute.Skin feels firm and tight.

When taken in dietary form, it strengthens teeth and bones and increases the red blood cell count. It has cooling, diuretic and laxative properties useful in the treatment of constipation and piles. It is also an anti-oxidant helping to boost the functioning of the immune system thereby preventing a wide range of diseases. It has antibacterial properties helping to prevent infections and healing ulcers.
It is used therapeutically as a cardio tonic, aphrodisiac, and antipyretic medicine and in the treatment of gastritis and heartburn. Some research studies have shown that amla is good for diabetics, as, apart from very high levels of Vitamin C, it also provides other essential minerals which help maintain proper functioning of the metabolic activities of the body. It has minerals such as chromium, zinc and copper. Amla also helps to prevent respiratory disorders such as common cold, bronchitis, and other respiratory tract infections. It can aid body building by increasing the total protein level due to positive nitrogen balance, giving an anabolic effect. To top it all, amla is also known to have anti aging properties. Wow!

Available from LoveHennaHair

Jyoti

Joyce's hair - 2009

We've been experimenting to get a darkish auburn colour but don't want it too bright red/orange or too dark. My Mum is mostly grey but has quite fair skin so she doesn't want to have it too dark.
This is now the third time we've dyed it with a combination of henna and indigo, with amla added this time to soften the henna red slightly.
We are quite pleased with the results.
So glad that my mum doesn't mind me experimenting on her :-)

Would you like "green" hair?

Our natural hair care products are environmentally friendly and sourced purely from dried leaves and fruits grown without pesticides. They are not extracts, have not undergone any treatment process, and do not contain man-made chemicals or additives.

100% natural shampoos, conditioners & hair colours

REETHA: Hair and body cleanser
SHIKAKAI: Mild shampoo and conditioner
AMLA: Hair tonic- enriches hair & is reputed to stop hair loss if used regularly.
CASSIA OBOVATA: Hair conditioning and nail repair treatment.
SOAP NUTS: Eco-friendly whole nuts recommended for colour washes for use instead of washing powder and fabric conditioner.
HENNA: 100% natural hair colour -dried leaves of the henna plant. Use on its own for reddish hair or mix with indigo for shades varying from reddish-brown to black.
INDIGO: 100% natural hair colour-dried leaves of the indigo plant. Mix with henna for shades varying from reddish-brown to black.

Cassia, Amla, Reetha and Shikakai

We now have them all in stock at our shop NaturalHennaHair! Though you can still reach the shop through LoveHennaHair.

Cassia Obovata
100 % Senna Italica

Natural Hair Conditioner sourced purely from dried leaves of the senna plant; this is not an extract, it has not undergone any chemical treatment process and does not contain manmade chemicals or additives.

Also known as neutral henna, it has all the properties of henna apart from the colour. It is a great condidtioner adding softness, shine and bounce. It is also reputed to boost hair growth.

Cassia can be used on any hair colour as it enhances the natural hair colour.

Used by itself or combined with henna powder for stunning effects on blonde hair.

Directions for use: Mix approximately 25g powder with water to make a paste. Apply to hair as a conditioner. Leave on for at least 20 minutes and up to 2 hours. Rinse.

Amla Powder
Phyllanthus Emblica

100% Natural hair tonic sourced purely from dried fruit of the Amla tree. This is not an extract, it has not undergone any chemical treatment process and it does not contain manmade chemicals or additives.

Amla is an edible fruit which is reputed to have the highest vitamin C content of all food stuff. It is reputed to enrich hair and can help to stop hair loss.

Can be mixed with Henna to soften the red dye.

Directions for use: Mix approximately two tablespoonfuls with water to make a paste and apply to hair as a conditioner. Leave for a few minutes and rinse off.

Reetha Powder
Sapindus Makurossi

100% Natural hair and body cleanser sourced purely from dried fruit of the Reetha tree. This is not an extract, it has not undergone any chemical treatment process and it does not contain manmade chemicals or additives.

Reetha powder is a gentle cleanser offering an alternative to sodium based synthetic soap and shampoo. It is also a great face and body defoliant and can be used as a face pack to improve facial complexion. Other uses include cleaning jewellery and washing woollen clothes.

Directions for use: Mix approximately one teaspoon of powder with water to make a paste. Apply to face. Leave for a few minutes then rinse.
To use as hair treatment/conditioner hair mix more powder.

Shikakai Powder
Acacia Cancinna

100% natural shampoo and conditioner sourced purely from dried pods of the acacia shrub. This is not an extract, it has not undergone any treatment process and it does not contain manmade chemicals or additives.

Shikakai is extremely mild and doesn't strip hair of natural oils. Usually no conditioner is needed since it also detangles hair. It is known as nature's original pH balanced shampoo.

Directions for use: Mix aproximately one tablespoonful of powder with water to make a paste. Apply to wet hair as a shampoo. Leave on for a few minutes. Rinse. Dry as normal.

What is Cassia? What is Amla?

Senna italica,(= Cassia obovata), often called "neutral henna", is used as a hair treatment with effects similar (conditioning treatment) to henna but without the red color. The active component is an anthraquinone derivative called chrysophanic acid, which is also found in higher concentrations in rhubarb root. It can add a slight yellow color.
Cassia when used for hair is a powder made from the dried leaves of senna plant and used as a great conditioner adding softness, shine and bounce.

The Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica, syn. Emblica officinalis) or Amla is a deciduous tree of the Euphorbiaceae family. It is known for its edible fruit of the same name. Amla reportedly has the highest vitamin C content of all food stuff.
Popularly used in inks, shampoos and hair oils, the high tannin content of Indian gooseberry fruit serves as a mordant for fixing dyes in fabrics. Amla shampoos and hair oil are traditionally believed to nourish the hair and scalp and prevent premature grey hair.