The Medicinal Uses of Phyllanthus
emblica L. (Indian Gooseberry)
*Center of Applied Thai Traditional Medicine, **Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj
Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand
Siriraj Medical Bulletin 2022;15(3): 146-154
Poorada Booncharoen*, Puthida Thepnorarat*, Pravit Akarasereenont*, **
Abstract
Phyllanthus emblica
L. (Indian gooseberry) has been used in traditional medicine for treatment of var-
ious diseases in Asian countries. It has been recorded in Ayurvedic and traditional medicines in Thailand for
antitussive medicine for a long time. It is developed into
Phyllanthus emblica
fruit extract and also medicine/
health products with several health claims. However, there have been not articles discussing its use in Thai
traditional medicine and relevant empirical evidence. The objective of this article is to review and evaluate evi-
dence related to medicinal uses of the Indian gooseberry, including treatment of COVID-19, in order to provide
information for rationale uses. The Indian gooseberry and Thai traditional uses in Tamra Kanphaet Thaidoem
(Pheattayasat Songkhro Chabab Anurak) Volume 1 were listed. The empirical evidence of the medicinal prop-
erties of Indian gooseberry as list were searched in PubMed, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, SpringerLink,
ThaiJO and Google Scholar. Eleven out of thirteen scriptures mentioned to 164 recipes contain the Indian
gooseberry, Khamphi Prathomchinda contained the highest number of herbal recipes (32 recipes), followed
by Khamphi That Wiworn (31 recipes) and Khamphi Sapphakhunya (24 recipes), respectively. The eleven lit-
erature searches provided evidence related to cough, sore throat, constipation and pain including treatment
or prevention of COVID-19. In conclusion, the Indian gooseberry can be used as an alternative to cough relief.
The use of herbal mixtures is more common than single herbs for sore throat, constipation, fever and pain.
There is a crucial need for clinical studies on combined treatment with COVID-19.
Keywords:
Phyllanthus emblica
L.; Indian gooseberry; herb; evidence-based medicine; Thai traditional
medicine
Correspondence to: Poorada Booncharoen
E-mail: poorada.bon@mahidol.edu
Received: 24 February 2022
Revised: 4 March 2022
Accepted: 4 March 2022
http://dx.doi.org/10.33192/smb.v15i3.256321
146 ่� 15 ฉ่� 3 กรกฎาคม - กนยายน 2565
Original Article
Review Article
 

















147
Siriraj Medical Bulletin












Phyllanthus emblica
Emblica ofcinalis
































Siriraj Medical Bulletin
148 ่� 15 ฉ่� 3 กรกฎาคม - กนยายน 2565
Original Article




























Review Article



  





 


  


   


   


5   



 
7 


 
  
  
    
     
     
     
149
Siriraj Medical Bulletin





























































Siriraj Medical Bulletin


150 ่� 15 ฉ่� 3 กรกฎาคม - กนยายน 2565
Original Article





























































































Review Article
151
Siriraj Medical Bulletin





























Siriraj Medical Bulletin










 



 



  

  








 


















 

















 





152 ่� 15 ฉ่� 3 กรกฎาคม - กนยายน 2565
Original Article

































































































Review Article
153
Siriraj Medical Bulletin






Phyllanthus emblica




Emblica ofcinalisPhyllanthus niruri 
Tinospora cordifolia


















Phyllanthus emblica



Emblica ofcinalisPhyllanthus
emblica




Phyllanthus emblica





















Emblica ofcinalis


Emblica ofcinalis



Phyllanthus
Emblica








Phyllanthus emblica 


Emblica ofcinalis


Emblica ofcinalis 


Emblica ofcinalis










Siriraj Medical Bulletin
154 ่� 15 ฉ่� 3 กรกฎาคม - กนยายน 2565
Original Article














Phyllanthus emblica


Review Article