Amla: What It Is and How to Use It
Amla (Phyllanthus emblica), also called Indian gooseberry, is a small tart fruit that has been a cornerstone of Ayurvedic tradition for thousands of years — it's one of the most vitamin C-rich fruits known. You'll find dried amla at William's Natural Foods, 12249 San Pablo Ave, Richmond, CA 94805, in our bulk herb section.
Available in Bulk
We carry amla in our bulk herb section, so you can grab the exact amount you want — from a spoonful to try in a smoothie to a full bag for regular use. Our staff can point you to the right bin and help you scoop out whatever quantity fits your needs.
What We Carry
We stock dried amla fruit in cut and sifted form, which works well in herbal tea blends. We also carry amla in fine powder form — the traditional preparation — for stirring into water, smoothies, or homemade hair and skin care recipes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does amla taste like?
Amla is intensely sour and astringent when raw — it puckers the mouth like the tartest cranberry, followed by a surprising sweet aftertaste that appears once you drink water afterward. The powder is milder and easier to work with; most people blend it into smoothies or juice rather than taking it straight.
What is amla traditionally used for?
In Ayurveda, amla is considered a rejuvenating fruit and is one of the three ingredients in the classic formula triphala. Traditional texts describe it as supporting general vitality and healthy digestion. These are historical uses from a centuries-old system of traditional medicine, not claims proven by modern clinical trials.
How do you use amla powder?
The most common way is stirring a small spoonful into water, juice, or a smoothie — the tartness disappears into fruit flavors. It's also a traditional ingredient in DIY hair masks and rinses, where it's mixed with water into a paste. Start with a small amount; a little goes a long way in flavor.
Is amla really that high in vitamin C?
Amla is widely cited as one of the richest natural sources of vitamin C, with levels far above oranges by weight — published analyses have measured hundreds of milligrams per 100 grams of fresh fruit. That said, vitamin C degrades with drying and processing, so the dried powder contains less than the fresh fruit. It's still valued as a traditional nutritive fruit.
Did you know? Amla is one of three fruits in triphala, the most famous formula in Ayurveda, which has been used in India for well over a thousand years (source: documented in Ayurvedic texts and summarized by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health).
Visit William's Natural Foods at 12249 San Pablo Ave, Richmond, CA — open Monday through Friday 9 AM to 7 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 6 PM, and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. Our staff are happy to help you find amla in the bulk section and suggest ways to use the powder.
This guide is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or a qualified health professional about any health questions.