Indian gooseberry: an Indian Elixir of Life

Around this time in Thailand is usually winter season, but not for this year. The rain is still pouring down, together with a slightly chill in the morning and extremely hot in the evening. As a pharmacist, I often face people coming to drug store due to the flu. One of the magnificent drugs used in flu and cough (in my private opinion) is the extract of Indian gooseberry, which used in dry cough.

Indian gooseberry or Phyllanthus emblica is called in India as amla or amalaka (the word “emblica” is derived from the word “amla”). This plant is worshiped as a panacea and famously used in Ayurveda medicine. In Hindu belief, Indian gooseberry is the sacred tree that the great god Vishnu resides in. Another legend informed that Indian gooseberry was born from the drops of Amrit, the Elixir of Life in Hindu belief. From its origin, no wonder why this plant was honored as the remedy for every kind of diseases and to extend the life.

In Buddhism, Indian gooseberry is one of the remedy that Sangha can eat in the night time (normally, they cannot eating after noon and dinner is prohibited). Legend said that this plant is the last gift that King Ashoka given to Sangha. Indian gooseberry also used as the material in many Buddhism architect, like the Alma-shape stupa in India or alma-shaping edge in Myanmar.

Alma shaping-edge stupa at Sein Nyet Nyima pagoda, Bagan, Myanmar

Indian gooseberry also plays a role in Doctor Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha’s history. Once upon a time, Doctor Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha has to cure the illness of one brutal king. The remedy including ghee, which is the king’s least favorite. With fury, the king summon royal page to capture Doctor Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha that already leaving from his city. When the page found him, Doctor Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha gave the Indian gooseberry to the page as the “greeting gift” and he ate it. The page then suddenly diarrhea from the effect of Indian gooseberry and unable to caught Doctor Jivaka Kumar Bhaccha, who returned to his hometown save and sound.

There is an Indian gooseberry puja ritual in the 11th of second lunar month. In that day, the participants are watering the Indian gooseberry tree and pray for their wealth and health. This day is marked as the beginning of Holi festival, which takes place four days after that. Indian gooseberry also play a role in Holi festival as the ingredient to make the yellow-colored powder used in the festival.