
Amla
Amla, also known as Indian gooseberry, is one of the most antioxidant-rich foods on Earth. Though unfamiliar to many, particularly in Western countries, it is commonly used in Ayurvedic herbal preparations and the subject of hundreds of articles in the medical literature, including papers with hyperbolic titles like “Amla…a Wonder Berry in the Treatment and Prevention of Cancer.”
In vitro studies have shown that amla may have anticancer properties and not only appear able to block cancer cell growth, but also cancer cell invasion. Clinical research has also shown that its powder may work as well as a leading diabetes drug—without the side effects. Indian gooseberries have also been found to have cholesterol-lowering and cough-, fever-, pain-, stress-, and diarrhea-suppressing effects.
Amla can be purchased online or at Indian spice stores. Although some Ayurvedic herbal supplements have been found to be contaminated with heavy metals, some intentionally, none of the samples of its powder tested so far appear to be contaminated. Whole Indian gooseberries can be found in the frozen section of Indian grocery stores, but some find them inedible—astringent, sour, bitter, and fibrous all at the same time. The powder isn’t much tastier, but it can be disguised in something with a strong flavor, like a smoothie. Alternatively, amla can be packed into capsules. Whenever I’m traveling, I try to take daily capsules of turmeric and amla until I can get back home and wrest back control over my diet.
The information on this page has been compiled from Dr. Greger’s research. Sources for each video listed can be found by going to the video’s page and clicking on the Sources Cited tab. References may also be found at the back of his books.
Image Credit: Adobe Stock. This image has been modified.
Popular Videos for Amla


The Best Food for High Cholesterol
Are the apparently amazing benefits of amla—dried Indian gooseberries—too good to be true?
Dragon’s Blood
The four most antioxidant-packed natural substances so far tested are cloves, amla (Indian gooseberries), triphala...
Amla & Triphala Tested for Metals
Both U.S.-made and imported Ayurvedic dietary supplements have high contamination rates of toxic metals such...
A Better Breakfast
The antioxidant power of American breakfast fare is compared to a smoothie that contains berries,...All Videos for Amla
-
How to Lower Lp(a) with Diet
What to eat and what to avoid to lower the cardiovascular disease risk factor lipoprotein(a).
-
The Best Diet for Upset Stomach
What to avoid and what to eat to help with dyspepsia.
-
Amla vs. Drugs for Cholesterol, Inflammation, and Blood-Thinning
Extracts of amla (Indian gooseberry) were pitted head-to-head against cholesterol-lowering statin drugs and the blood thinners aspirin and Plavix.
-
The Best Food for High Cholesterol
Are the apparently amazing benefits of amla—dried Indian gooseberries—too good to be true?
-
What’s the Best Mouthwash?
There’s a cheap concoction one can make at home that safely wipes out cavity-forming bacteria on our teeth better than chlorhexidine mouthwash and also reduces their plaque-forming ability.
-
Boosting Immunity while Reducing Inflammation
Cooked white mushroom consumption stimulates antibody production, while potentially still playing an anti-inflammatory role.
-
Dragon’s Blood
The four most antioxidant-packed natural substances so far tested are cloves, amla (Indian gooseberries), triphala (a combination of amla, bibhitaki, and haritaki fruits), and dragon’s blood.
-
Amla & Triphala Tested for Metals
Both U.S.-made and imported Ayurvedic dietary supplements have high contamination rates of toxic metals such as mercury—though only a small fraction of the levels found in canned tuna.
-
Some Ayurvedic Medicine Worse than Lead Paint Exposure
Triphala, a combination of three fruits—amla, bibhitaki, and haritaki—is the most commonly used herbal formulation in Ayurvedic medicine, and may have powerful anticancer properties. Unfortunately, one in five Ayurvedic herbal dietary supplements were found contaminated with lead, mercury, and/or arsenic.
-
A Better Breakfast
The antioxidant power of American breakfast fare is compared to a smoothie that contains berries, white tea leaves, and Indian gooseberry (amla) powder.
-
Antioxidants in a Pinch
Some herbs and spices—including cinnamon, cloves, lemon balm, marjoram, oregano, and peppermint—are so rich in antioxidants that just a small pinch can go a long way.
-
Amla vs. Diabetes
For a dollar a month, Indian gooseberry (amla) powder may work as well as a leading diabetes drug—without the side effects.
-
Amla vs. Cancer Cell Invasion
Indian gooseberries (amla) block breast cancer cell growth and metastasis potential in vitro.
-
Amla vs. Cancer Cell Growth
Indian gooseberries (amla), an important plant in Ayurvedic medicine, may have anticancer properties, as well as cough-, fever-, pain-, stress-, and diarrhea-suppressing effects.
-
Better than Goji Berries
There are some dried fruits even more antioxidant-packed than goji berries.
-
Antioxidant Content of 3,139 Foods
In the most extensive study of its kind ever published, the amount of anti-aging anticancer antioxidants is measured across thousands of different foods.