Vol. 8 No. 02 (2023): December- Sri Lanka Journal of Indigenous Medicine (SLJIM)
Cover story
Nelli
Phyllanthus emblica Linn.
Family: EUPHORBIACEAE
Vernacular names: Sinhala: Nelli, Ambula; Sanskrit: Amalaki, Adhiphala; English: Emblic myrobalan; Tamil: Amalagam; Hindi: Amllka, Amalak
The plant shown on the cover page is Phyllanthus emblica Linn. It is a small or middle-sized tree, about 10 m high, with a crooked trunk and spreading branches; bark thin grey with numerous bosses whence arises the leaf bearing branchlets; leaves simple, alternate; Flowers unisexual, small, greenish-yellow, monoecious, appetalous and axillary; fruit globes, 1.2-1.6cm diameter, fleshy, pale green or yellow, of three sub- dehiscent, two seeded, crustaceous cocci enclosed in a thick fleshy coat; seeds 06 trigonous. Fruits are the most utilized part for medicinal preparations1.
The pericarp of the fruit is often used in decoctions with other ingredients and externally on boils with cow ghee to promote suppuration. The root, bark and fruit are astringent. The unripe fruit is coolong, laxative and diuretic. Exudation from incisions on the fruit is applied externally on inflammation of the eye. The use of the bark with honey and turmeric is given for gonorrhoea. An infusion of the leaves with fenugreek seed is given for chronic diarrohoea. The fruit is rich in vitamin C. The expressed juice of the fruit along with other ingredients is used to cure hemorrhage, anaemia, colic, acute leprosy, fits, insanity, Jaundice, cough, hiccups, indigestion, dyspepsia, asthma and other diseases2.
Ethnopharmacological studies indicated that 17 countries use P. emblica as indigenous medical remedy3.
The current pharmacological studies indicated that drupes show antioxidant and antiproliferative activities attributed to the phenolic compound in the drupes4.
References
1. Jayaweera D.M.A., (2006). " Medicinal Plants used in Ceylon" with Taxonomic Updating by Senarathna L.K., National Science Foundaton, Sri Lanka.
2. Paranjpe P., (2021). "Indian Medicinal Plants", Chaukambha Sanskrit Prathisthan, Delhi, 2021
3. Xia Q., Xiao P., Wan L., Kong J., (1997), Ethnopharmacology of Phyllanthus emblica in China, Journal of Chinese Materia Medica. 22, 515-518
4. Luo N., Zhao M., Yang B., Ren J., Shen G., Giaa, (2011). Antioxidant and antiproliferation capacities of phenolics purified from Phyllanthus emblica fruit. Food Chemistry. 126;277-282
Cover story by Prof. S.P. Molligoda
Photographed by Dr. M.V. Lionel
Cover page designed by Mr. K.K.P.R.K. Kohombakanda
Published:
2024-01-31
