North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Ginda Fisher <ginda@concentric.net>]

Thanks for the information.  Can you describe an Amla?  I'm afraid I do
not live in a southern state, and winter temperatures here routinely
drop below 0F (-16C) for a few nights.  It stays below freezing for most
of the winter.  If I thought I could plant the lemon outdoors I would
invest in some kind of netting to keep the critters out.

Ginda

"Dr. Chiranjit Parmar" wrote:
> 
> 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