What is Indian Gooseberry?
Indian gooseberry, also commonly called alma, come from a tree native to south Asia. It is a small tree that produces small (the size of a golfball) edible fruits that are yellow-green in color. The taste is described as sour and bitter.
The fruit is rich in Vitamin C and has antioxidant properties, with benefits throughout the body. It has been utilized in Ayurvedic (traditional Indian) medicine for hundreds of years. Indian Gooseberry is known by two scientific names — Phyllanthus emblica and Emblica officinalis.
Benefits to Scalp Health
Indian Gooseberry is great for cleansing the scalp. It nourishes the scalp and makes the hair shiny. The antioxidants present in Indian Gooseberry can shield hair from environmental factors that could cause hair damage, such as pollution, smoke, and heat. It can minimize scalp dryness which can lead to dandruff or itchy scalp.
With its vitamin C content, Indian Gooseberry is anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial, promotes collagen synthesis, which strengthens your scalp tissues. Polyphenols in Indian Gooseberry proliferate dermal cells of hair follicles, encouraging new hair growth. By improving scalp health, it helps hair health and growth.
Benefits to Hair Health
Indian Gooseberry has several benefits to hair health and hair growth.
Hair Growth – Blood flow is crucial during the growth phase of a hair strand’s life cycle. Blood circulation ensures that every hair follicle absorbs nutrients and activates hair growth. Indian Gooseberry contains alkaloids, flavonoids, and amino acids that stimulate blood circulation to your hair roots.
Hair Cleaner/Conditioner – It removes buildup from hair without stripping your natural moisture levels. It is a natural conditioner and adds moisture and shine to hair strands. Carotene in Indian Gooseberry helps produce sebum, reducing the loss of moisture. By adding hydration to hair, Indian Gooseberry can help control frizz due to dryness.
Hair Protector – Tannins in Indian Gooseberry protect your hair from heat damage and photodamage and easily binds with Keratin, a hair building block. This helps prevent breakage and split ends.
What Products Use Indian Gooseberry?
Ahimsa uses either Indian Gooseberry extract and/or essential oil in all of our products. We identified Indian Gooseberry (Alma) as an important ingredient to add to our products for the benefits noted above. You can shop our products here.