Amla Juice and Amla Jam

Amla / Indian Gooseberry

Amla juice and amla jam are two of the ways of consuming amla, a wonder fruit that nature has given us, and reap its health benefits.

The links to the recipes for amla juice and amla jam are given at the end of this post.

Amla Juice

Amla Jam

Many research findings reveal that Amla, also known as the Indian gooseberry, offers a number of health benefits.

Here are a few insights into the power of Amla:

• Can protect and nourish hair
• Is a rich source of Vitamin C
• Has many antioxidants
• Can reduce cholesterol levels
• Can control diabetes

Amla is a fruit, which has a plenty of Vitamin C.  According to the data in the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference:

100 grams of raw gooseberries has 27.7 milligrams of Vitamin C.

From the same Database:

100 grams of raw gooseberries has 87.87 grams of water.

100 grams of raw gooseberries has 4.3 grams of fiber.

What does the above data mean from the health point of view? The high water content and the fibrousness of amla make it a natural laxative. It can be a remedy for constipation, among others.

In a research study by the Department of Food and Nutrition, Lady Irwin College, University of Delhi, men subjects in the age group of 35-55 were given raw amla, for 28 days, as a diet supplement.  The researchers of the study found a reduction in the cholesterol levels of “both normal and hypercholesterolaemic” men.

The researchers also found that when the diet supplement was stopped, after two weeks the “total serum cholesterol levels of the hypercholesterolaemic subjects rose significantly almost to initial levels.”


How can amla be consumed?   It can be eaten raw. Some Indian gooseberries, however, might be bitter or sour.  So, eating raw gooseberries with just a little salt would help overcome the bitterness or sourness of this fruit and could also make it tasty.

You can also make amla juice or amla jam and savor this great fruit.  A spread of amla jam on a bread slice makes it delicious.  Amla jam can be a good side dish for chapati and dosa.

Do you want to know how to make amla juice or amla jam?  Here are the links to the recipes with step-by-step instructions and with photos:

Amla Juice Recipe

http://southindianvegrecipes.com/miscellaneous_recipes/amla_juice.html

Amla Jam Recipe

http://southindianvegrecipes.com/miscellaneous_recipes/gooseberry_jam.html

References: 

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3250870
ndb.nal.usda.gov

Methi Pulao and other Food from Fresh Methi Leaves

Methi Leaves Grown in a Pot

Methi Pulao with Methi Leaves as the Main Ingredient

How to Grow Methi Leaves in a Pot?

Grow methi in a pot or on land in your garden.

Here are the steps to grow methi leaves:

1. Sprinkle a few methi seeds on the soil.

2. Take an object like a spatula and mix the seeds with the soil.

3. Sprinkle water.

4. Gently water the pot everyday. Within a few days the seeds will sprout.

Which green leaves / vegetable is a strong source of calcium?

Methi / fenugreek leaves are a rich source of calcium and iron, among others.

Methi is one of the vegetables / green leaves that is said to provide the necessary calcium for maintaining bone health.

Food made from Methi Leaves

Methi pulao, methi vangi bath are two of the popular cuisines made from methi leaves.

On some Sundays or when you want to try a pulao that is not in the same line as the regular pulaos, try methi pulao or methi vangi bath.

Food, such as the above, made from methi leaves is not only delicious but also give health benefits.

Onion raita or coconut chutney are among the side dishes you can use for the above cuisines.

Use methi leaves to make a sambar that is different from the sambars you typically make.

For methi pulao and methi vangi bath recipes, visit:

http://southindianvegrecipes.com/rice_recipes/methi_pulao.html

http://southindianvegrecipes.com/rice_recipes/vangi_bhath_methi_leaves.html