Have you ever heard of amla or Indian gooseberry? I know, the first thing that comes to mind is that it’s sour and unpleasant to taste. But, though it may not satisfy your palate, amla is one of the best natural items that can boost your skin’s and hair’s appearance. We will explain just how it does that in this post.
Amla, or the Indian gooseberry, belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family. It is a tree native to India, China, and many tropical areas of Asia. It is considered sacred and is often used in Ayurvedic treatments for a plethora of ailments. When dried and powdered, these berries are used widely for various medicinal purposes. Amla contains many elements and properties that help fight diseases and promote good health.
Amla is abundant in vitamin C, a very effective antioxidant. It also contains antioxidants like tannin and flavonoids. These components effectively reduce the number of free radicals in your blood, helping to diminish the oxidative stress in your body. Amla is also rich in minerals and vitamins like calcium, phosphorus, iron, carotene, and vitamin B complex.
# Amla ScrubMix 3 teaspoons of amla powder with a teaspoon of tamarind paste. Mix it well and apply it evenly over the face. Next, scrub the paste into your skin in circular motions, starting from inwards and moving outwards. Do this in one area at a time and then leave it to dry. After 10 minutes, rinse it off with warm water and pat dry.
# Amla FacialMix equal parts of amla powder, honey, and yogurt to form a thick paste. Apply this uniformly on your skin and leave it on for about 20 minutes until it dries. Then, wash it off with warm water and pat dry. This facial can be repeated twice a week and makes your skin clean and smooth.
# Amla Face PackYou can prepare an amla face pack by boiling tea leaves in water and then straining the decoction after it cools down. Then, mix amla powder with it to create a paste. Add a teaspoon of honey and give it a good stir. Apply it on the face and allow it to dry thoroughly. Wash off with warm water and pat dry. This face pack not only firms your face but also reduces acne and other skin problems.
# Amla Skin Lightening PackTo prepare this pack, start by mashing a few pieces of papaya. Mix water and amla powder to form a paste and add it to the papaya. Add a teaspoon of honey and mix. Apply it uniformly on your face and leave it for 15 minutes before washing it off. This paste helps reduce pigmentation and dark circles and makes your skin fairer.
# Strengthening PackMake a paste with 2 teaspoons of amla powder and 2 teaspoons of warm water. Add a teaspoon of yogurt and a teaspoon of honey to this paste. Apply this paste evenly on your scalp and throughout your hair strands. Allow it to stay for about 30 minutes before you rinse it off thoroughly. You do not need to use shampoo after using this pack.
# Anti Dandruff PackTo prepare this pack, mix 2 teaspoons of amla powder and 1 teaspoon of shikakai powder in a bowl. Add 1 teaspoon of curd and combine to form a paste. Apply this from the roots to the tips and let it soak in for about 15 minutes. Then, rinse it off with a mild shampoo. This pack not only cures dandruff but can also take care of rashes on the scalp. It also acts as a coloring agent by boosting the pigmentation of your hair and fights against hair loss by strengthening your roots.