Phyllanthus emblica or Indian Gooseberry

This wonderful sacred plant (Vishnu dwells within it's branches) has a fabulous reputation in ayurveda and is gaining traction as a useful herb in contemporary western medicine. As a beauty treatment, you can use Amla to:

• Revive your hair!
• Reduce redness in henna or hennindigo applications!
• Improve your skin!

Phyllanthus emblica (syn. Emblica officinalis), the Indian gooseberry, or amla from Sanskrit amalika, is one of those wonderful Ayurvedic herbs that Indian women have known about for centuries but which is virtually unknown in the West. Amla has a surprising number of potential health benefits and is currently the subject of a wide range of scientific research projects.

This certified organic Amla powder can be used on your hair or as a skin beauty treatment. It makes a high quality, rich buttery paste.

On hair - Amla paste revives your hair, giving an effect that is similar to an expensive spa treatment. Hair feels thicker, softer, bouncier and looks brighter. Amla does not impart colour to hair, but helps gain different colours when used with other herbal dyes. When applied with henna, or as part of a hennindigo mix,  amla tones down the redder aspects of henna, giving a cooler shade. On it's own, Amla doesn't change the colour of hair, but does brighten it, blonde hair takes on a sunnier appearance.

On skin - Amla paste can be used as a face mask to help even out skin tone and repair damage, it's high vitamin C content (1.5%) makes it particularly useful for applying to troubled skin.