Nelli (Amla)

ORIGINS

India

TASTE

Mildly pleasant sour taste, but highly astringent

AYURVEDA & MEDICINAL USES

Treats a multitude of illnesses such as burning sensation, diabetes mellitus, skin diseases, mental disorders, hemorrhoids, coughs, asthma, tuberculosis and menorrhagia. The catechin compound in nelli shows tremendous anti-cancer activity. Nelli also slows bone loss and reduces the risk of osteoporosis. Studies conducted in 2007 (‘British Journal of Nutrition’) found that Nelli may be of use as an anti-aging food. Powdered nelli improves blood glucose levels and lipid profiles in Type II Diabetes patients.

NOTABLE FACTS

The nelli tree is very sacred to rural communities in Sri Lanka. It is believed that planting a tress washes away your sins.

TRY-ME RECIPES

Nelli pickle makes a great side dish for a rice meal. To titillate your taste buds, simply stir-fry quartered wedges of nelli in light oil and mix spices such as fennel seeds, chilli powder, turmeric, mustard oil and nigella seed.

To make Nelli juice, add one tablespoon of juice per cup of water. Add sugar or honey if needed and drink chilled. Did you know that Nelli juice with a pinch of turmeric promotes digestion?

Another awesome addition to you rice meal – Nelli curry. Fry and stew nelli chunks in standard Indian spices like turmeric, cumin, green chillies and garam masala.