Beauty benefits of Amla

Shahnaz Husain *

Amla is a staple fruit in India consumed in different ways. Whether you eat it, drink it or apply it, Indian gooseberry (Amla) can be immensely beneficial for your skin, hair and health.

The magic fruit can be immensely beneficial to tighten your skin, lighten complexion, treat Acne, make your hair shiny and dandruff-free and delay the effects of premature aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots by boosting the regeneration of healthy new cells.

Amla can be used in home remedies. You can add amla juice to your hair and leave it to dry for 30 minutes for an all-new mane shine. You can also add amla to henna powder. However, henna leaves a reddish brown colour on white hair, as you know. It will not colour dark hair. If you would like to try it, you can soak a handful of dry amla in about 2 to 3 cups water overnight.

Next morning, strain the water, but do not throw the water away. Grind the amla. To the henna powder, add the ground amla, 4 teaspoons each of lemon juice and coffee, 2 raw eggs, 2 teaspoon oil and enough amla water, so that the henna mixes into a thick paste.

Keep the paste for two to three hours and then apply it on the hair, so that the entire head is covered. Keep it on for at least two hours and wash off with plain water.

Amla juice is filled with vitamin C and antioxidants that can prevent hair fall and premature greying. Amla juice will repair broken strands of hair and give it an extra layer of shine. Amla juice also treats various hair problems like dandruff, premature greying, dryness of hair etc.

Amla juice acts as a great conditioner for your hair and gives a smooth and shiny finish. Mix some amla juice with some henna and gently apply it on your scalp. Let it dry naturally and then wash it away with some lukewarm water to give you that extra smoothness and shine.

To control the problem of hair fall, take dried amla and boil it in water and then mash it and apply the pulpy paste on the scalp as well as hair both. Let it dry in natural environment and wash it off with plain fresh water. This treatment can be done once a week.

Apply amla juice on your face and outer skin with cotton pad and wash off after 15 minutes with fresh water. It will help to improve your skin complexion. Close your eyes while doing so.

Amla oil is an excellent conditioner and gives a natural shine to the tresses. Apply amla paste on your face and wash it off after 30 minutes when it has been completely dried. It will help to treat acne and breakouts making you more beautiful and attractive.

Amla is also excellent cleanser and helps in removing dead cells/pimples from your skin. If you are struggling with dull and dehydrated skin, then amla juice is what you can consume with honey every morning to get a blemish-free and glowing skin.

Amla juice is perfect for the treatment of acne and pimple scars. Amla helps remove acne marks and blemishes in a natural way. Apply amla paste for 15 minutes over the affected area and leave it for 10 minutes. Wash it with luke warm water. If you have a sensitive skin, dilute the juice with water and then apply. Be consistent with this treatment for better results.

It will lighten the spots and reduce the occurrence of pimples. This will fight pimples, fine lines and reduce scarring done by acne. It is a natural blood purifier that keeps pimples and the after-effects of acne away. Thus, amla juice gives you flawless skin.

Amla face pack gives you glowing, radiant and supple skin fighting the adverse effects of pollution and chemical-based skin products. You can mix amla powder, honey and yogurt to make a quick face mask.

Leave it for 20 minutes or till it dries naturally and then rinse it off with cold water. For oily skin, you can mix two portions of amla powder with some rose water and apply the pack on your face. Leave it till it dries, and wash it off.

Amla juice is an excellent face scrub as it helps exfoliate the skin well. The antioxidants and Vitamin C in amla help to tone, tighten the skin, and make it firm. Take a spoonful of amla powder and mix it with hot water. Use this paste to scrub your face, rinse it off after 15 minutes. You can add a little turmeric in the paste, if you wish.

To make home-made shampoo for silky hair, take one handful of dry herbs of reetha, amla, and shikakai and add it to a litre of water and allow it to soak overnight. The next day, simmer it on a low fire, till the water reduces to half the quantity.

Do not allow it to boil on a high flame, but rather simmer on a very low fire. Let the mixture cool and then strain it with a clean cloth. Use the liquid for washing the hair. The decoction can be kept in the refrigerator for 3 or 4 days.

To make amla hair oil, take a handful of dry amla. Grind coarsely and add it to 100 ml pure coconut oil. Keep it in an airtight glass bottle and keep the bottle in the sun daily for about 15 days. Then strain the oil and store. The oil can be used to apply on the hair.

Regular intake of amla juice purifies blood and fights toxins which helps you to get flawlessly radiant skin .

Daily intake of fresh amla juice with honey serves as a great beverage and makes your skin complexion brighter and lighter. It helps to get rid of acne and pimples. Regular intake of Amla juice delays the effects of premature ageing and helps to maintain youthfulness and vitality for long time.

Amla juice has excellent nutrient which boosts the production of collagen cells making your skin radiant, soft, toned and youthful. Amla repairs the damaged tissue and combats problems of dry and scaly skin. The regular application of Amla juice guarantees a healthy and clear skin.