North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["Dr. Chiranjit Parmar" <parmarch@vsnl.com>]

2 November, 2000. 

Dear Ginda, 

Are you aware of Amla(Emblica officinalis) and its nutritive and
medicinal qualities? This fruit has the highest natural vitamin C
content(1000 to 1600 mg per 100 grams of pulp) among all the fruits. It
is the main ingredient of the famous ayurvedic restorative tonic CHYAVAN
PRASH. It makes an excellent preserve. 

The fruits are reported to be diuretic and laxative. These are useful in
many disorders of the digestive system. Amla fruits are also very useful
for hair. Rinsing the hair with Amla water after shampoo, makes them soft
and healthy. Amla has numerous useful qualities. As a fruit tree, it is a
very heavy bearer and naturally free from insect pests and diseases.
Amla is basically a tropical fruit. But there is a strain of this fruit
growing wild in the forests North Western Himalayan mid hill region,
which can withstand cold and should be able to grow
in the most southern states of the United States. This strain has
all useful qualities of the cultivated amla. 

This plant can be raised from seed. Now is season for wild Himalayan amla
and fresh seeds are available. If someone interested in novel fruits is
interested in the seeds, he may write me enclosing a personal
check ( PLEASE DO NOT SEND US DOLLAR BILLS) for US$5.00 to cover
handling and postage. A small packet containing 15-20 seeds shall be sent
by AIR MAIL post. 

If you require any additional information about WILD HIMALAYAN AMLA or
any other lesser known fruit, food or medicinal plant from India, feel
free to ask me. 

Dr. Chiranjit Parmar
186/3 Jail Road
Mandi HP 175 001 INDIA.
Phone:(01905)22810 Fax:(01905)25419
e-mail: parmarch@vsnl.com