Health Properties of Chanca Piedra or Bhumyamalaki or Phyllanthus Amarus / Niruri
The Best Protective Shield for the Liver
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
The Whole Plant could be regarded as useful since every part of the plant is showing more potency and good action. The major bioactive chemical composition of the Chanca piedra is the toxic bitter substance called Phyllanthin and the non bitter substance called Hypophyllanthin. It is an effective substance against jaundice of all types. Other constituents include hydrolysable tannins viz., phyllanthusin 0, Amarin, amarulone and amarinic acid, alkaloids viz, sobubbialine, epibubbialine, nynphyllin and neolynan, phyllnirurin. These fatty acids and alcoholic substances show distinctive antibacterial properties. The hypoglycemic properties are also well recognized. Leaves are rich in potassium and hence show excellent diuretic properties. (Rain Tree)
Medicinal Properties:
The herb includes various medicinal properties: deobtruent, hepatic tonic, diuretic, anti diabetic, cooling and astringent. According to Ayurveda and Siddha medicine this is one among special 'Kalpa herb' which has rejuvenative properties.
Therapeutic Uses
1) A paste of Chanca piedra leaves is mixed in buttermilk is prescribed for jaundice. Alternatively the paste also mixed in goat's milk and given for the ailment. It shows anti-viral actions against Hepatitis B virus. This will tone up your liver. You must take this when you are down with jaundice.
2) It is used for the urino genital disorders.
3) The plant is useful as a bitter tonic astringent and febrifuge.
4) For the enlargement of the spleen and liver the juice of the root mixed with rice water given orally.
5) Herb is used in hyperacidity, peptic ulcer, dyspepsia, loss of appetite and diarrhea.
6) For malaria fever, the paste of the whole plant mixed in buttermilk is given internally.
7) It is a sure remedy for intestinal worms, amoeba and cystitis...
8) Leaves ground and taken in, gives a cooling effect, encourages conception in women. Also The root and seeds of Chanca piedra or grind into dry powder or wet paste and mixed with rice water and given as home remedy for menopause disorders
9) A paste of Chanca piedra leaves is mixed in rice water is prescribed for ulcers, sores and swellings.
10) Its root is given to sleepless children.
11) It is topically applied to insisted lesions, inflammation and cutaneous affection.
12) Leaves are ground and applied externally of bone fracture.
Source:
1) Answers.com / Phyllanthus http://www.answers.com/topic/phyllanthus
2) Rain Tree / Chanca piedra http://www.rain-tree.com/chanca.htm
3) Wikipedia / Phyllanthus http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emblica
4) Wikipedia / Phyllanthus Niruri http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/phyllanthus_niruri
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- Long been used, as herbal remedy in the folk medicine, for the treatment of wider number of diseases
- The women folk regard this as the sure remedy for jaundice of all types.
- It is also proved excellent in controlling sugar levels in Diabetes.