Amla powder is from the dried and ground fruit of the Indian Gooseberry tree, Emblica Officinalis.
The tree is considered sacred by Hindus as the Vishnu is believed to dwell here. The tree is worshipped on Amalaka Ekadashi, a Hindu holy day.
Amla grows in central and southern India, Burma, and Ceylon, and contains natural tannins, vitamin C, ascorbic acid, and acts as a natural astringent. Amla has been used for centuries for tanning and dying hides as well as a cosmetic and folk remedy.
Amla powder is tan in colour and if you make a simple paste from the power it does not stain the hands.
Amla may be added to a henna and indigo mix, to get a slightly cooler brown dye colour. If you add amla to henna itself you won’t see any colour change.
You can however mix amla with henna as the acid for dye release.
The paste enhances waves and curls, adding a lovely shine, softness and doing away with dryness of the scalp.
Amla may also be used a facial scrub. The fruit seeds act as a natural exfoliator as they gently scrub the skin and astringent quality from the vitamin C and tannins will leave your skin fresh and vibrant. The seeds gently scrub and exfoliate the skin while the vitamin C nourishes.
Mix the powder with hot water until it’s the consistency of yogurt, allow to soak for 10 minutes. Apply to the skin and gently scrub to exfoliate skin cells, then rinse with fresh water for clean, fresh tight skin.
To buy amla for hair or to find out more information contact Hennacat here. Our secure online henna shop has all the supplies you need!
Author: Jojoba
