Amla, the fruit of the redcurrant bush, has been traditionally used in ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years to treat numerous diseases. Amla’s benefits, such as its ability to treat respiratory or intestinal problems, are largely due to the fruit’s high tannin content. Its polyphenols are also known for their many health benefits, such as reducing blood sugar and lipids, stimulating circulation and blocking the action of carcinogens, thus helping to fight the effects of ageing.
Most of the research on amla’s properties has focused on those of the tannins, powerful antioxidants. In particular, studies have shown that amla extract :

• is a powerful antioxidant which :
• is a potent free radical scavenger,
• is able to stimulate the body’s enzymatic antioxidant system : when given to rats subjected to stress, amla’s tannin extracts normalised antioxidant enzyme activity in the animals’ brains and reduced lipid peroxidation,
• may prevent age- and oxidative stress-related kidney disease,
• reduces various markers of oxidative stress, when given to diabetic rats,
• increases antioxidant levels in the liver and reduces cytotoxins ;
• has immuno-modulatory properties and, in particular, stimulates cytotoxic activity of NK (natural killer) cells ;
• provides protection against heavy metal toxicity :
• prevents DNA and cell damage caused by arsenic poisoning,
• prevents cell damage from the toxic effects of lead, aluminium, nickel, cadmium and chromium ;
• reduces cholesterol levels by inhibiting its production and stimulating its breakdown :
• according to in vitro and in vivo studies, reduces total- and LDL-cholesterol levels in a dose-dependent manner : it also decreases lipid peroxidation, thus preventing atherosclerosis,
• lowers cholesterol levels when taken over a period 28 days, according to one study ;
• may be effective at delaying development of hyperglycema-induced cataracts in diabetics by inhibiting production of aldose reductase, according to one in vitro study and one study on rats ;
• inhibits cancer cell proliferation (in gastric, uterine or breast cancer) : amla extract has, in particular, demonstrated chemopreventive properties on skin tumours in albino mice ;
• protects the stomach wall from ethanol-induced decreases in mucous and inhibits the development of gastric lesions ;
• reduces ethanol-induced liver damage in rats ;
• protects the stomach wall from the harmful effects of certain drugs known to cause ulcers.