Dead is, of course dead, but that wasn't the observation here. The observation related to "damage." And, yes, damaged nerves can and do, in several circumstances, particularly in the peripheral nervous system, repair themselves and slowly regrow. (And it should be noted that it is very difficult to ascertain when a nerve is actually dead.) As for AMLA, as John points out, there is some experimental but no clinical data suggesting benefit in some neuropathies, including diabetic neuropathy. In one animal model of diabetic neuropathy, for example, Emblica officinalis (AMLA) "attenuated diabetic induced axonal degeneration." In another animal study, AMLA "not only attenuated the diabetic condition but also reversed neuropathic pain through modulation of oxidative-nitrosative stress." And there are some clinical AMLA studies demonstrating improved blood glucose and lipid profile benefits in general. Some of the constituents of AMLA, particularly hydrolyzable tannins, are showing significant neuroprotective promise in other studies. All this said, whether a particular AMLA product would be of any help is impossible to say without rigorous testing. And, in any event, no one, in my view, should take any supplement that hasn't passed genuine third party testing for truth in labelling and purity.