The Indian Gooseberry (Emblica Officinalis or Phyllanthus Emblica) is a deciduous tree of the Euphorbiaceae family. It is known for its edible fruit of the same name. The tree is small to medium sized, reaching 8 to 18 m in height, with crooked trunk and spreading branches. The fruits ripen in autumn. Its taste is bitter-sour.

For medicinal purposes dried and fresh fruits of the plant are used. Amla fruit is sour and astringent in primary taste, with sweet, bitter and pungent secondary tastes, and is cooling in action. It is light and dry. It also contains tannins; a reason why even dried form retains most of the vitamin content. Amla Powder used to cure hair fall and prevents early greying of hair.