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The wonderful Eastern Amla Powder
Amla powder, who has hear of this? So what is it? Where is it from and how to use it? Keep reading I will tell you all about it and a delicious smoothie recipe too!
This exciting ingredient is a recently new one for me, which I‘m very interested to include in a healthy holistic lifestyle, as this versatile powder can be used in a range of foods, drinks and as a natural beauty product. It is not a very well-known powder to buy for culinary uses, but can be found here at Buy Whole Foods Online: https://www.buywholefoodsonline.co.uk/organic-amla-powder-250g.html
Amla powder comes from the Indian gooseberry, which is also known as amalaki, derived from Sanskrit which means the sustainer or prosperity. It has been used in India, the Middle East, and some southeast Asian countries for thousands of years (1), and has been analysed by the Medical Institute and found to be an “important medicinal plant in the Indian traditional system of medicine, the Ayurveda, with various parts of the plant being used to successfully treat a range of diseases” (2)
It has come to be known as a rejuvenating superfood, as it is rich in polyphenols, vitamin C, magnesium, Phosphorus, iron, vitamin A, chromium and calcium. Research into Amla powder has shown an incredible list of health benefits, some of these include boosting your immune system, has anti-inflammatory effects, improves metabolism, improves cholesterol levels, diarrhoea and supports the heart. (3)
As stated in a 2011 article in the International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, that amla powder has both anti hyperglycaemic and lipid-lowering properties, this might be used as an ideal plant food supplement in developing successful alternative therapies in treating people with blood sugar issues. (4)
As I am always busy and, on the go, I love making delicious portable smoothies to keep me full and also ensure I am filling myself with nutritionally rich foods. So, the easiest way for me to include this into my lifestyle is by adding some Amla powder to my smoothie, which I find is a great way to easily include more antioxidants, vitamins and minerals into my day.
A delicious recipe I would suggest trying out is my creamy Amla Coconut smoothie as detailed below (it can also be found here: https://www.hyperhealthnut.co.uk/amla-smoothie )
INGREDIENTS:
1 frozen banana
½ cup coconut milk
1 tsp amla powder
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tblsp honey
1/8 tsp mixed spice
½ cup almond milk
½ tsp chia seeds
Ice cubes (optional)
1 cup water
I would love to know what country you, my dear reader is from, and if you have used this powder in other delicious recipes, let me know your feedback, get in contact and send a mesage via mail or instagram!
References:
1. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-784/indian-gooseberry