Product Overview
Parts used: Dried ripe fruits
TCM category: Herbs that cool the Blood
TCM nature: Cool
TCM taste(s): Bitter Sour
Meridian affinity: Stomach Lung
Scientific name: Phyllanthus emblica
Other names: Emblic myrobalan, Myrobalan, Indian gooseberry, Malacca tree or Amla
Use of emblic (Yu Gan Zi) in TCM
Please note that you should never self-prescribe TCM ingredients. A TCM ingredient is almost never eaten on its own but as part of a formula containing several ingredients that act together. Please consult a professional TCM practitionner, they will be best able to guide you.
Preparation: Remove impurities and dry
Dosage: 3 -9 grams
Main actions according to TCM*: Expels Heat and cools the Blood. Strengthens the stomach and smooths digestion. Promotes the generation of body Fluids and stops thirst.
Primary conditions or symptoms for which emblic may be prescribed by TCM doctors*: Indigestion Abdominal bloating Coughing Excessive thirst
Contraindications*: Not recommended for those have cold Stomach and Spleen.
Key TCM concepts behind emblic (Yu Gan Zi)'s properties
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), emblic are plants that belong to the 'Herbs that cool the Blood' category. Herbs in this category are used to clear inflammatory and infectious conditions, referred to as 'Internal Heat' in TCM. This is why most of the herbs in this category will have both antibacterial and antiviral properties. In TCM one has too much 'Heat' in their body as a result of a deficiency of 'Yin' (which is Cold in nature, see our explanation on Yin and Yang) or, more commonly, an excess of Yang (Hot in nature). Herbs that cool the Blood treat the latter and as such tend to be Cold or Neutral in nature.
As suggested by its category emblic are plants that are Cool in nature. This means that emblic tend to help people who have too much "heat" in their body, although with less effect than a plant that would be Cold in nature. Balance between Yin and Yang is a key health concept in TCM. Those who have too much heat in their body are said to either have a Yang excess (because Yang is Hot in nature) or a Yin deficiency (Yin is Cold in Nature). Depending on your condition emblic can help restore a harmonious balance between Yin and Yang.
Emblic also taste Bitter and Sour. The so-called "five elements" theory in Chinese Medicine states that the taste of TCM ingredients is a key determinant of their action in the body. Bitter ingredients like emblic tend to have a cleansing action on the body by clearing heat, drying dampness and promoting elimination via urination or bowel movements. On the other hand Sour ingredients help with digestion and restrain abnormal discharges of fluids from the body, such as diarrhea or heavy sweating.
The tastes of ingredients in TCM also determine what organs and meridians they target. As such emblic are thought to target the Stomach and the Lung. In TCM the Stomach is responsible for receiving and ripening ingested food and fluids. It is also tasked with descending the digested elements downwards to the Small Intestine. In addition to performing respiration, the Lungs are thought to be a key part of the production chain for Qi and the body fluids that nourish the body.
