Also known as Phyllanthus niruri, stone breaker, gale of the wind, seed under leaf, Bhumi Amla, Quebra pedra in Portuguese, keela nelli in Tamil, nela nelli in Kannada and nela usiri in Telugu. It has many other common names in assorted languages, including dukong anak, dukong-dukong anak, amin buah, rami buah, turi hutan, bhuiaonla, niruri and meniran.
Chanca piedra is a common weed that can be found in most parts of tropical countries; in fields, cultivated fields of cotton, maize, rice, coffee, banana plantations, gardens and on waste ground in wet soils. It is found growing in coastal areas from Texas USA through Mexico, Central America, and wide regions of the Amazon in South America. It also grows in tropical areas in the Bahamas, China and India.
It is known as bhumyamalaki in Ayurvedic medicine and is a world-renowned botanical herb that has been used medicinally for the past 2000 years for a wide range of health conditions.
Beneficial properties of chanca piedra
- Anodyne (pain relieving)
- Antibacterial (kills bacteria)
- Anti-hepatotoxic (prevent s and reduces liver damage)
- Anti-hypertensive (lowers blood pressure)
- Anti-inflammatory (reduces swelling and inflammation in the body)
- Anti-lithic (prevents the formation of stones in the urinary tract)
- Antioxidant (prevents cell damage by neutralising free radicals)
- Anti-spasmodic (suppresses muscle spasms in the guts)
- Antiviral (kills viruses)
- Aperitif (stimulates the appetite)
- Carminative (eliminates wind in the intestines)
- Digestive (helps with digestion)
- Diuretic (promotes urine production to eliminate excess fluids)
- Emmenagogue (stimulates menstruation blood)
- Laxative (stimulates evacuation of stools from the bowels)
- Febrifugal (reduces fever)
- Vermifuge (kills parasites and worms)
Beneficial effects of chanca piedra
- Effective in eliminating bladder, gall and kidney stones.
- Lowers blood sugar.
- Lowers oxalate levels in the urine.
- Provides liver protection.
- Reduces uric acid levels.
Chanca piedra is used to tone, balance, strengthen, detoxify and protect the kidneys and liver (and to balance liver enzymes). It is also very effective in treating viral infections of the liver, specifically hepatitis B.
Conditions that chanca piedra can treat
- Blennorrhagia (excessive mucous from the urethra)
- Cancer
- Colds, coughs and influenza
- Colic
- Constipation and diarrhoea
- Cystitis
- Diabetes
- Dropsy (build-up of fluid in tissues causing swelling)
- Dysentery
- Dyspepsia
- Fever
- Gallstones
- Gonorrhoea
- Gout
- Influenza
- Itching
- Jaundice
- Kidney disorders
- Liver disorders
- Malaria
- Menstrual problems (frequent periods)
- Oedema (build-up of fluid in tissues causing swelling)
- Proctitis (inflammation of the rectal lining)
- Prostatitis
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Stomach ulcers
- Tuberculosis
- Tumours
- Urinary tract infections
- Vaginitis
External uses of chanca piedra
It can be used as a poultice for skin ulcers, sores, swelling, and itchiness.
Beneficial components of chanca piedra
- Alkaloids
- Coumarins
- Flavonoids (quercetin)
- Lignans (phyllanthine and hypophyllanthine)
- Polyphenols
- Saponins
- Tannins (repandusinic acid)
- Terpenoids
The repandusinic acid found in Chanca piedra has been shown to have anti-viral properties against HIV/AIDS.
Related subjects
- A-Z of herbs and spices
- A-Z of natural foods and remedies
- Excretory system disorders
- Human immunodeficiency virus HIV AIDS
- Intestinal disorders
- Menstrual problems
- Prostate problems
- Urinary system disorders
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