Nellige mara – Indian goose berry

Nellige mara (Emblica officinalis Gaertn)one of the native trees in Kodagu commonly known as Indian gooseberry or amla, is arguably the most important medicinal plant in the Indian traditional system of medicine, the Ayurveda.The tree is small to medium in size, grows 1–8 m tall.

Kodava

Nelligemara

English

Indian goose berry

Kannada

Nellikayi

Botanical Name

Emblica officinalis Gaertn

Family

EUPHORBIACEAE

Flowering starts

December

Fruiting ends

August

Uses

The fruits are a rich source for vitamin C. The fruits are pickled. Tannin is extracted from twigs and bark. The dried fruit yields ink and hair dye. The dried fruits are having detergent properties and are sometimes used as shampoo. A fixed oil derived from the fruit allegedly acts as a hair restorer and is used in shampoos. The fruit is considered diurectic and laxative. Triphala, a decoction of Emblicaofficinalis with Terminaliachebula and Terminaliabellerica is given for chronic dysentery, biliousness, haemorrhoids, enlarged liver and other disorders.