The fruit of this tree is the Dhátriphala, Amritaphala, Ámalaka or Sriphala of the Nighantas, and is described as having all the properties of the chebulic myrobalan. It is used both fresh and dried; in the former condition it is considered to be refrigerant, diuretic and laxative; in the latter, astringent. It is pickled by the natives, and, on account of a peculiar flavour which it imparts, some of the forest tribes eat it before drinking water. A sherbet of the fruit, sweetened with sugar or honey, is a favourite cooling drink for sick people; it is said to be diuretic. A country-side prescription for biliousness in the Concan is Avala, 4 massas, to be soaked all night in water, and in the morning to be pounded and mixed with a quarter seer of milk and flavoured with sugar and cumin. Emblic myrobalans are an ingredient in many compound preparations described in Sanskrit works. A selection of these prescriptions will be found in Dutt’s Hindu Materia Medica; the following, translated from Chakradatta, may be taken as an example:—
“Dhátri lauha.—Take of powdered Emblic myrobalans 64 tolás, prepared iron 32 tolás, liquorice powder 16 tolás, mix them together, and soak in the juice of Tinospora cordifolia seven times successively. This preparation is given in jaundice, anæmia and dyspepsia, in doses of from 20 to 40 grains.”