Once upon a time, in the subtropical outskirts of India, there was a tiny berry that, according to famous poets, brought celestial nourishment to the nation’s royalty. This berry tugged on the strings of longevity, granting a long and happy life to he who eats it. Indian folklore and scriptures seem to mention this mysterious berry unceasingly. Sushruta, the father of ancient medicine, wrote texts explaining the miraculous effects of the fruit. It did not take long for the berry to be ingrained in the country’s history for its rejuvenation properties— existing as an emblem that grants perpetuity to the nation and its people.

If you happen to be roaming the streets of India, try not to catch yourself saying anything bad about amla because the repercussions will be bad. Yeah, I’m talking dirty looks and baffled faces. In fact, the entire country is rife with anecdotes about amla, proclaiming that it cured diseases from a simple cough to serious medical conditions.