Health Properties of Chanca Piedra or Bhumyamalaki or Phyllanthus Amarus / Niruri

The Best Protective Shield for the Liver

Chanca piedra also known as , quebra pedra, Stonebreaker (English), Bhumyamlaki, Jar amla' (Hindi), Bhu dharti, Bhuin amla (Sanskrit), Keezharnelli (Tamil, Malayalam), Nelanelli' (Kannada) (Botanical Names - Family Euphorbiaceae) Phyllanthus amarus, Phyllanthus Fraternus, Phyllanthus niruri (American Species), Phyllanthus Urinaria, is an age old herb and hence its medicinal properties are well documented in the ancient scriptures of Ayurveda and Siddha systems of medicine. There are four to five distimctive species of Phyllanthus with equally potent medicinal properties. It belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae and has been botanically identified with the plant Indian Gooseberry.

The Siddha system regards this as the best protective shield for the Liver and hence it is listed as one of the 'Kayakalpa'. The plant has long been used as an herbal remedy in the folk medicine for the treatment of wider number of diseases including Jaundice for more than a thousand years. Even today the drug is being used as a home remedy and the women folk regard this as the sure remedy for jaundice of all types. It is also excellent in controlling sugar levels in diabetes. In the modern medical research studies it is proved to be effective in the treatment of Hepatitis B and its anti viral action has a promising effect in HIV also. (Wikipedia), (Rain Tree), (Answers.com)

Habitat

Chanca piedra is a small, erect annual herb with miniature amla like fruits on the underside of the leaves. The plant usually occurs wild as a common lawn / roadside weed. It is widely distributed through out India. (Answers.com)

Active Ingredients