Amla (Indian Gooseberry)
Amla, or Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica), is an Ayurvedic fruit; this guide separates tradition from trial findings and covers blood-thinner and diabetes cautions.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Supplements can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read mushroom safety and interactions before you use any mushroom product.
What is Amla good for?
What the body uses it for, and how strong the evidence is. A normal job in the body is not proof that extra supplements add benefit; each card says which.
Blood cholesterol and triglyceride markers
Preliminary or mixedIn one 12-week placebo-controlled trial of 98 people with dyslipidemia, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and VLDL were lower on amla extract than on placebo. These are blood markers, not heart attacks or strokes.
Supplements: Promising but limited: one extract, one trial in people with abnormal blood fats. Results do not transfer to fresh fruit, powder or juice.
Blood sugar
Not enough evidenceThe dyslipidemia trial saw a general trend toward lower fasting blood sugar, but only 8 participants had raised sugar, and the authors asked for a larger study.
Supplements: No reliable evidence yet that amla supplements lower blood sugar.
Heart and blood-vessel health
Not enough evidenceA systematic review of 19 studies (lab, animal and human) found antiplatelet, lipid-lowering and other cardiovascular effects, but concluded the evidence is not sufficient to confirm efficacy for preventing or treating heart disease.
Supplements: No proof that amla prevents or treats heart disease.
Antioxidant activity in the laboratory
Lab or animal research onlyLaboratory and animal studies of the fruit report antioxidant activity, along with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anticancer and other effects. The review notes drawbacks in earlier reports, such as missing dose and control information.
Supplements: Lab and animal findings only; not evidence of human benefit.
Inflammation and immune activity in the laboratory
Lab or animal research onlyThe comprehensive review lists anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects in in vitro and animal studies of the fruit.
Supplements: No human trial in the sources read shows an immune or anti-inflammatory benefit.
Liver protection in animal studies
Lab or animal research onlyThe review lists hepatoprotective effects in in vitro and in vivo studies of the fruit.
Supplements: Animal and lab findings only.
Food source of vitamin C and other compounds
Not enough evidenceThe fruit is described as a rich source of vitamin C, minerals and amino acids, along with tannins, flavonoids and other plant compounds.
Supplements: No evidence read that amla extracts do more than other vitamin C sources in people who are not deficient.
Traditional use in Ayurveda (not proof)
Not enough evidenceAmla is important in Ayurveda and other traditional systems, used for colds, fever, cough, asthma, diabetes, indigestion, skin disease, anaemia, jaundice and premature greying of hair.
Supplements: Traditional use is not evidence of benefit.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Health goals (1)
- Cholesterol BalancePreliminary or mixed
One 12-week placebo-controlled trial found lower cholesterol and triglycerides on a specific amla extract in people with dyslipidemia. It is a single trial and needs larger confirmation.
Body systems (1)
- Cardiovascular SystemPreliminary or mixed
Amla extract lowered blood-fat markers in one trial and reduced platelet aggregation in a small study. Whether this prevents heart disease is not shown.
Functional actions (4)
- Anti-InflammatoryLab or animal research only
Anti-inflammatory effects are reported in laboratory and animal studies only.
- AntioxidantLab or animal research only
Antioxidant activity is reported in laboratory and animal studies of the fruit; this is not proof of human benefit.
- Immune ModulationLab or animal research only
Immunomodulatory effects are reported in laboratory and animal studies only.
- Liver SupportLab or animal research only
Hepatoprotective effects are reported in laboratory and animal studies only.
Root causes (1)
- Medication Side EffectsDocumented risk
Amla extract reduced platelet aggregation and lengthened bleeding time, alone and with clopidogrel or aspirin, in a small study. Tell a clinician if you take blood thinners.
Biomarkers (2)
- LDL CholesterolPreliminary or mixed
LDL was significantly lower than placebo after 12 weeks of one amla extract; findings need confirmation and may not apply to other forms.
- TriglyceridesPreliminary or mixed
Triglycerides were significantly lower than placebo in one 12-week trial of an amla extract.
Conditions & symptoms (1)
- DyslipidemiasPreliminary or mixed
One 12-week placebo-controlled trial in 98 people with dyslipidemia found lower cholesterol and triglycerides on amla extract; confirmation in larger studies is needed.
Documented risks and interactions (3)
- Effect on platelets and bleeding time. In a small open-label crossover study of 10 people with type 2 diabetes, amla extract reduced platelet aggregation and lengthened bleeding and clotting time, alone and with clopidogrel or aspirin.
- Possible blood-sugar-lowering with diabetes medicines. The trial authors suggested the extract may lower blood sugar. This is a reason to tell your prescriber, not a proven interaction.
- Quality and pregnancy unknowns. Amla appears in many mixed Ayurvedic products, which can vary in strength and may contain contaminants. Safety in pregnancy, breastfeeding, children, and liver or kidney disease is not described in the sources read.
What amla is
Amla, also called Indian gooseberry, is the fruit of Phyllanthus emblica L. (family Phyllanthaceae), also written Emblica officinalis Gaertn. [3][4] The fruit is the plant part used, in foods, powders and extracts. A review describes it as a rich source of vitamin C, minerals and amino acids. [4]Is amla an adaptogen?
"Adaptogen" is a contested term; see What are adaptogens?. The reviews and trials we read describe amla in terms of Ayurvedic tradition, nutrition and heart or metabolic markers, and none of the abstracts we read calls it an adaptogen. Whether amla belongs in that category is not described in the sources we read. Some products sell it that way.Traditional use (not proof)
Amla is described as important in indigenous traditional medicine systems including Ayurveda. [4] The same review lists the traditional uses as including colds, fever, cough, asthma, diabetes, dyspepsia, skin diseases, anemia, jaundice and premature graying of hair. [4] These are traditional uses, listed from the review's account of Ayurvedic tradition, not findings from trials. For the Ayurvedic context see Amla (Amalaki) in Ayurveda.What research shows
| Use | What the source found | Strength of evidence | Population and form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cholesterol and triglycerides | In a 12-week placebo-controlled trial, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and VLDL were significantly lower on amla extract than placebo. [2] | Promising but limited (one trial; lab markers, not heart events) | 98 people with dyslipidemia; 500 mg extract capsule twice daily |
| Blood sugar | The same trial saw a trend toward lower fasting blood sugar and called for a larger study. [2] | Insufficient evidence | Few participants had raised sugar |
| Platelet function | A crossover study of 10 people with type 2 diabetes found decreased platelet aggregation. [1] | Preliminary; small and open label | 10 adults with type 2 diabetes; 500 mg extract |
| Heart disease prevention or treatment | A systematic review said evidence was not sufficient to confirm efficacy, despite some higher-quality studies of vessel and antiplatelet effects. [5] | Insufficient evidence | Mixed lab, animal and human studies |
The amounts in the table are amounts used in those trials, not recommendations. A clinician or pharmacist decides what is right for a person.
The broad review of fruit pharmacology reports many laboratory and animal findings (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic and others) but notes drawbacks in earlier reports, including missing information on dose, standards and controls. [4] Laboratory and animal results are preclinical and should not be read as human benefit.
Proper evidence not found in the sources we read for amla as a remedy for stress, fatigue or "adrenal" problems; we searched PubMed for amla and Phyllanthus emblica trials and safety studies. See Adrenal fatigue and adrenal support claims.
Forms and why the form matters
The trial above used an extract capsule, and the traditional use described in the review centers on the fruit. [2][4] A result for an extract does not transfer to fresh fruit, powder, juice or a blend, and the amount of the active substances may differ. A result from a blend that contains amla cannot be assigned to amla alone.Quality
Amla appears in many mixed products (often with other Ayurvedic ingredients). Adulteration and undeclared substances in Ayurvedic products are covered in Ayurvedic product adulteration and quality testing and certifications.Frequently asked questions
Is amla an adaptogen?
Some products call it one; the sources we read describe it as an Ayurvedic fruit and do not call it an adaptogen. [4]
Does amla lower cholesterol?
One 12-week trial of 98 people with dyslipidemia found lower cholesterol and triglycerides on amla extract than on placebo; larger confirmation is needed. [2]
Can amla affect bleeding?
A small study found amla extract reduced platelet aggregation and lengthened bleeding time. [1] Ask about it if you take blood thinners.
Is amla safe with diabetes medicines?
The sources we read raise the possibility of lower blood sugar but do not document an interaction; tell your prescriber. [2]
Is amla safe in pregnancy?
Not described in the sources we read. Ask a clinician; see pregnancy and breastfeeding.
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Quick safety points
- Bleeding and blood-thinning medicines. In a small study, amla extract reduced platelet aggregation and lengthened bleeding and clotting time, alone and with the antiplatelet medicines clopidogrel and aspirin. [1] If you take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder, or have surgery planned, ask a pharmacist or clinician first. See supplements before surgery.
- Diabetes medicines. The authors of one lipid trial said the amla extract was potentially a hypoglycaemic (blood-sugar-lowering) agent and needed confirmation in a larger study. [2] This is a reason to tell your prescriber, not a proven interaction.
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding, children, liver and kidney conditions: not described in the sources we read.
Safety in more detail
- Animal toxicity studies on the fruit showed no adverse effect at high oral doses, according to one review. [4] That does not establish human safety for every form.
- Antiplatelet effect: see the box above; the effect was reported both in a small human study and in a systematic review. [1][5]
- Surgery: because of the platelet findings, tell the surgical team about amla products before a procedure.
- Medicines: read how interactions work.
References
- Fatima N et al., Phytomedicine 2014, Pharmacodynamic interaction of Phyllanthus emblica extract with clopidogrel and ecosprin. Read 2026-10-23.
- Upadya H et al., BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2019, Emblica officinalis extract in patients with dyslipidemia: randomized trial. Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy name match, Phyllanthus emblica L., accessed 2026-10-23. Read 2026-10-23.
- Saini R et al., Journal of Ethnopharmacology 2022, Traditional uses, composition, pharmacology and toxicology of Phyllanthus emblica fruits. Read 2026-10-23.
- Hashem-Dabaghian F et al., Journal of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Research 2018, Systematic review on the cardiovascular pharmacology of Emblica officinalis. Read 2026-10-23.