Amla or gooseberry is very rich in Vitamin C. It contains many minerals and vitamins like calcium, phosphors, iron, carotene and vitamin B complex. Gooseberry is a powerful antioxidant. Many health problems are conduced by oxidative damage.

Antioxidant agents prevent and repair such damages. Vitamin C is a good antioxidant agent and so is Gooseberry

The health benefits of gooseberry include the following.

• Eye care: Taking gooseberry juice with honey is good for improving eyesight. It improves nearsightedness and cataract and reduces intraocular tension.

• Diabetes: Indian Gooseberry or Amla stimulate the isolated group of cells that secrete the hormone insulin. Thus it reduces blood sugar in diabetic patient.

• Heart disease: Amla or Gooseberry strengthens heart muscles enabling the heart to pump blood flawlessly throughout the body.

• Hair loss: Gooseberry or Amla enriches hair growth and hair pigmentation. It strengthens roots of hair, maintains colour and luster. Eating fresh fruit or applying its paste on hair roots improves hair growth and colour.

Hibiscus, gooseberry and coconut have always been the best-known remedies for hair loss and graying. Both these conditions are on the rice in men and women. In fact women these days complain of balding and thinning hair. Here are two things you could try.

HAIR PACK

Ingredients:

• Dried hibiscus flowers.

• Coconut milk.

Make a powder of the dried hibiscus flower mix it with sufficient coconut milk to make a paste and apply it as a hair pack. Rinse off after half an hour. Do this once a week.

HAIR OIL

Ingredients:

• Dried hibiscus flowers.

• Dried Gooseberry.

• Coconut oil.

Dry gooseberry can be powdered and added to coconut oil along with hibiscus. Keep it in the sun for 10 to 15 days. Strain the oil and then use.