Bhuamalaki

November 24th, 2009

Botanical Name:Phyllanthus niruri, Phyllanthus Urinaria, Phyllanthus amarus
Family: Phyllanthacea/Euphorbiaceae
Synonyms: Phyllanthus carolinianus, P, sellowianus, P. fraternus, P. kirganella, P. lathyroides, P. lonphali, Nymphanthus niruri

Common Names: Chanca piedra, quebra pedra, stone-breaker, arranca-pedras, punarnava, amli, bhonya, bhoomi amalaki, bhui-amla, bhui amla, bhuianvalah, bhuimy-amali, bhuin-amla, bhumyamalaki, cane peas senna, carry-me-seed, creole senna, daun marisan, derriere-dos, deye do, erva-pombinha, elrageig, elrigeg, evatbimi, gale-wind grass, graine en bas fievre, hurricane weed, jar-amla, jar amla, kizha nelli, malva-pedra, mapatan,para-parai mi, paraparai mi, pei, phyllanto, pombinha, quinine weed, sacha foster, cane senna, creole senna, shka-nin-du, viernes santo, ya-taibai, yaa tai bai, yah-tai-bai, yerba de san pablo

Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Malpighiales
Genus: Phyllanthus
Specieam.s: P. niruri
Parts Used: Leaves, roots and the whole plant.

Habitat: It is a widespread tropical plant commonly found in coastal areas.Grows mainly in central & southern India, Sri Lanka. It is also found in other countries including China,Philippines,Cuba, Nigeria and Guam.It is indigenous to the rainforests of the Amazon and other tropical areas throughout the world, including the Bahamas, southern India, and China.

P. niruri is quite prevalent in the Amazon and other wet rainforests, growing and spreading freely (much like a weed). P. amarus and P. sellowianus are closely related to P. niruri in appearance, phytochemical structure, and history of use, but typically are found in the drier tropical climates of India, Brazil, and even Florida and Texas.

Description:Bhuamalaki is a perinial harb.It grows 50 to 70 centimeters tall and bears ascending herbaceous branches. The bark is smooth and light green. It bears numerous pale green flowers which are often flushed with red. The fruits are tiny, smooth capsules containing seeds.
Phyllanthus niruri-1 .. Phyllanthus niruri-2 .. Phyllanthus niruri-3 .. Phyllanthus niruri-4
Chanca piedra is a small, erect, annual herb that grows 30–40 cm in height. The Phyllanthus genus contains over 600 species of shrubs, trees, and annual or biennial herbs distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of both hemispheres. Unfortunately, there remains a great deal of confusion among scientists regarding plant identification and, in many cases, plant misidentification makes evaluation of published information difficult. P. amarus (Thonn. & Schum) and P. sellowianus are often considered a variety of P. niruri, or no distinction is made among these three species in published clinical research. Oftentimes one name is indicated to be synonymous with another and, sometimes, both names are used interchangeably as if referring to one plant. It became so confusing that, in the 1990s, a major reorganization of the Phyllanthus genus was conducted (which classified P. amarus as a type of P. niruri).

Containts: Phyllanthus primarily contains Liganans(Phyllanthine and Hypophyllanthine), Alkaloids, and flavonoids (quercetin). While it is unknown which of these ingredients has an antiviral effect,. Research shows that this harb acts primarily on the liver. This action n the liver confirms it’s historical use as a remedy for Jaundice.

Plant Chemicals:
Since the mid-1960s, chanca piedra has been the subject of much phytochemical research to determine the active constituents and their pharmacological activities. It is a rich source of plant chemicals, including many which have been found only in the Phyllanthus genus. Many of the “active” constituents are attributed to biologically active lignans, glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, ellagitannins, and phenylpropanoids found in the leaf, stem, and root of the plant. Common lipids, sterols, and flavonols also occur in the plant.

The main plant chemicals in chanca piedra include alkaloids, astragalin, brevifolin, carboxylic acids, corilagin, cymene, ellagic acid, ellagitannins, gallocatechins, geraniin, hypophyllanthin, lignans, lintetralins, lupeols, methyl salicylate, niranthin, nirtetralin, niruretin, nirurin, nirurine, niruriside, norsecurinines, phyllanthin, phyllanthine, phyllanthenol, phyllochrysine, phyltetralin, repandusinic acids, quercetin, quercetol, quercitrin, rutin, saponins, triacontanal, and tricontanol.

Medicinal uses:
Extracts of this herb have shown promise in treating a wide range of human diseases. Some of the medicinal properties suggested by numerous preclinical trials are anti-hepatotoxic, anti-lithic, anti-hypertensive, anti-HIV and anti-hepatitis B. However, human trials are yet to show efficacy against Hepatitis B virus.

The plant has long been used in Brazil as an herbal remedy for Kidney stones. Reseach among sufferers of Kidney stones has shown that, while intake of Phyllanthus niruri didn’t lead to a significant difference in either stone voiding or pain levels, it may reduce urinary calcium, a contributing factor to stone growth. In addition, one study conducted on rats showed that an aqueous solution of Phyllanthus niruri may inhibit kidney stone growth and formation in animals who already have stones.

Current Practical Uses:
Chanca piedra is a perfect example of a highly beneficial medicinal plant which is deserving of much more research – but one which is fraught with the typical problems of working with a complicated, chemically-rich plant. Unless a major (and well-funded) pharmaceutical or research company can isolate a single, patentable chemical (or can come up with a patentable extraction process that actually works as well as a simple water extract) to justify the high cost of research, chanca piedra probably will remain in the “unproven herbal remedy” category. There just aren’t enough non-profit dollars or government grant funds available to fund research on natural plant extracts that can’t be patented. Since chanca piedra’s many biological activities and benefits are attributed to many different chemicals (whose synergistic interactions are unclear), and most seem to be completely water soluble (no complicated and patentable manufacturing processes necessary), for-profit research dollars will probably be spent elsewhere. It is yet another perfect example that Mother Nature is infinitely a better chemist; the natural herb continues to work better than any man-made chemically altered (and patentable) extracts.

But what a natural remedy it is! With its applications for kidney stones and gallstones, cellular and liver protection, hypertension and high cholesterol, cancer prevention, and its pain-relieving and antiviral effects, it is gaining in popularity on many continents as an effective herbal remedy. It’s also important to note that in all the research published over the last 20 years, no signs of toxicity or side effects have been reported in any of the human or animal studies, even in acute or chronic use.

Disclaimer:The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider .

Resources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phyllanthus_niruri

http://www.hepcchallenge.org/choices/pdf/Appendix_II.pdf

http://www.rain-tree.com/chanca.htm