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Chanca Piedra (Phyllanthus niruri) plant and leaf
Phyllanthus niruri
SYNONYMS
Phyllantus pumilus, Phyllantus kirganelia, Phyllantus carolinensis, Phyllantus asperculata, Phyllantus lathyroides, Phyllantus microphyllus, Phyllantus urinary, Phyllantus amarus or Phyllantus niruri var. Amarus.
COMMON NAMES
Chanca piedra, Quebra Pedra, Pitirishi, Stone Breaker, seed in the leaf, urinary filante, poor man(s quinine, girl's herb, niruri (Indian), pernilla del pasto (Puerto Rico), Holy Friday (Colombia), gale of wind (Florida and English Carib), erva pombinha (Brazil), Creole quinine, arrebentapedra, ParaparaimÌ (Paraguay), Santa Maria, San Pedro (Philippians), herb of San Pablo, sampasampalkan (Philippians), sacha foster.
PARTS USED
Dried leaves and stems.
HISTORY
This plant is distributed in all the tropical regions of the Planet and there are no paleobotanic studies accounting for its geographic origin with accuracy. Some people say that it is native from India because Linneo (1770 - 1778) probably reported a first specimen from that country, but others say that it comes from the Philippines and it was then introduced to the New World. Other groups assure that chanca piedra was carried from Tropical America to the Philippines.
It grows wildly in America, from Texas to Northern Argentina. It also grows wild in Peru and very abundantly in tropical zones.
DESCRIPTION
Annual herb, 50 cm tall. It belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family, which groups over 6500 species and 300 genera. It usually grows in the shade in the most tropical regions of the world (pantropical), it is a wild herb in the Amazonian forest, but it can be cultivated easily.
The generic name Phyllantus has more than 600 species, and it means "leaf and flower" because the flower, as well as the fruit, seem to become one with the leaf. In fact, even though it appears to be so, it is not a compound leaf, but has little thin and symmetric branches that make the leaf look like a plumose leaf. Each little leaf of that branch carries in the angle a flower and the fruit. The specific name niruri may come from a Hindu term, and was adopted by Linneo.
This is a plant that grows well in moist and shady places, and it spreads quickly by the invasive capacity of its large root, consuming with greed the nutrients within the ground, in such a way that it could damage the surrounding plants. Chanca piedra can be found in all the world's tropical places: through the roads, valleys, on the riverbanks and near lakes.
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
STEMS: Erect, 30 to 60 cm tall and 1 to 2.5 mm wide, a few horizontal branches, from 5 to 10 cm long and almost filiform.
LEAVES: Whole, hairless and pale on the underside, elliptic shaped, short petiole, obtuse 7 to 12 mm apex, disposed alternately one over the other on each side of the stem, so that they resemble the folioles of a compound leaf.
FLOWERS: Chanca piedra has small, single, monoic flowers that grow in the angle of each leaf, with whitish or yellowish sepals and a green longitudinal stripe. Male flowers are very small, they have three sessile stamens, they are less abundant and we can find them near the base of the branch.
FRUITS: They are eschizocarpic, capsules, globular and flattened, with 2 to 3 millimeters diameter, each one carrying two three cornered and verrucose seeds.
ROOT: It is large and somewhat branched.
POPULAR USES
Making a review of ethnomedic literature, we can conclude that the two most important traditional uses are:
a) for its action on kidney stones
b) for its effect on liver disease (antihepatotoxic).
The first use is more popular in the American Tropic and the second is more diffused in Asia.
The name chanca piedra, as it is known in Peru, comes from its effect on kidney stones and gallstones. "Quebra pedra" or "Arrebenta pedra" is the name given in Brazil. It has scientifically accepted diuretic properties, but the studies are not complete yet.
In traditional medicine, however, it is better understood for its curative uses for dropsy, for urinary retention, as a renal anti-inflammatory agent, against illnesses producing secretions of the urethra and prostate discomfort.
In South East Asia and in the Caribbean, it is used against malaria and in general as febrifuge. This is the reason for the vernacular name "poor man's quinine" and "Creole quinine"emphasized by its strong bitter taste. In the Caribbean it is used against diabetes and for the reduction of blood glucose in diabetic patients.
Because of its bitter taste, it is also believed to be beneficial for the digestive system: as an appetite stimulant and a fortifying tonic.
In India it is used as a mild laxative for dysentery. It is also known to relieve intestinal pain. Fakirs use it as an intestinal anesthetic.
South East Asia has exported to America the idea that this plant can cure syphilis and that it is a blood purifier and can be used in general for cuts and different skin problems.
Topically, it seems to have a soothing effect against scalp, genital and anal itching. As a poultice for the treatment of certain types of ulcers, mange, sores, superficial wounds and in the preparation of refreshing eye drops.
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
Lignanes: phyllanthine, hypophyllanthine, phyltetralin, lintetralin, niranthin, nirtetralin, nirphylline, nirurin, niruriside.
Terpenes: Cymene, limonene, lupeol and lupeol acetate.
Flavonoids. Quercetin, Quercitrin, Isoquercitrin, astragalin, rutine, physetinglucoside.
Lipids: Ricinoleic acid, dotriancontanoic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid.
Benzenoids: Methylsalicilate.
Alkaloids: Norsecurinine, 4 - metoxy - Norsecurinine, entnorsecurinina, nirurine, phyllantin, phyllochrysine.
Steroids. Beta-sitosterol.
Alcanes: Triacontanal, Triacontanol.
Others. Vitamin C, tanines, saponins.
PHARMACOLOGY
Beneficial effects for liver and specially in the treatment of jaundice, have been proven in scientific conditions in clinical research performed by Dixit and Achar in 1983 and by Syamasundar and co. 1985. The results of these studies were related to the possible action against hepatitis and more specifically against hepatitis B.
In 1982 a group of Indian scientists, headed by S.P Thyagarrajan, demonstrated in vitro that extracts of this plant were able to inactivate Hepatitis B's viral surface's antigen . Venkanteswaran et al made further studies of this interesting discovering in the Chase Cancer Center of Philadelphia. They not only proved the above thesis, but in addition made experiments, in vitro and in vivo, with hepatitis virus on hamsters, who have similar biological behavior with hepatitis B virus as humans. From these studies, the mentioned authors concluded that the possibility existed of eliminating the infectious capacity of healthy bearers.
These findings and preliminary results of later studies open a very important chapter in the prevention and treatment of this illness in humans and will help to explain the beneficial action of Phyllantus niruri on some types of jaundice.
.
There isn't a definitive explanation about the use of this plant as a diuretic. This popular belief has passed the test of time. Vander Woerd made very controlled assays in 1941 and obtained positive results. Then Araujo, in Brazil, based his thesis on this action, summarizing information available since 1929. No new information is available to prove prior popular beliefs.
Mokkasmit et al (1971) studied the antispasmodic action in alcohol & water extracts of the plant on the small intestine in horses and like Dhar et al (168) they demonstrated chanca piedra to be really effective.
Its vernacular use in the treatment of diabetes seems to find support in experimental research by Ramakrishnan and his group in 1982, who administered whole plant extracts orally to rabbits and observed a clear hypoglycemic activity.
Similarly, it is important to mention the studies about the anti bacterial effect of this plant, Contreras G and Gamarra V. (1993) of San Marcos University show it to be clearly antibacterial over E. Coli 9/7 in concentrations of 30, 50, 100, 200 and 300 ug/ml; Klebsiella pneumoniae 9/7 in concentrations 30, 50, 100, 200 and 300 ml. and Proteus mirabilis in concentrations of 30, 50, 100, 200 and 300 ml. It did not act upon Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538.
Hajme Veno et al from Toyama University, realized that the alcohol extract of this plant inhibited the angiotensine converter enzyme (ACE), and noticed that the butilic alcohol extract had even higher effect. ACE is a carboxypeptidase that plays an important role as arterial pressure regulator. This interesting discovery does not have an echo in clinical experiments.
Other isolated studies are also worthy of mention: the antipyretic activity has not been proved on rabbits yet; however, preliminary studies in chronic arthritis indicate a clear anti-inflammatory activity, anti- tumoral effects in mice have been detected and there are some evidences that relate this property to one of its phytochemicals: dibencylbutirolactone.
TOXICOLOGY
Some studies show that the alcohol and water-based extracts have very low toxicity in mammals, but they are very toxic for fish and batrachians.
RECOMMENDED USES
Kidney stones treatment
Antibacterial
Anti inflamatory
Anti hepatotoxic
Antiespasmodic
Anti viral
Hepatotonic
Choleretic
Inmuno stimulant
Suggested Use:
Drink 1-3 cups per day on empty stomach
To Brew Tea: bring 3-4 cups of water to a boil, add 1 tablespoon chanca piedra, bring to a boil, simmer for 15 minutes, strain and drink when cooled to desired temperature.
This product has a diuretic effect so drink plenty of chlorine free water.
Supplements of magnesium and vitamin B6 may further enhance excretion of calcium oxalate.
Prolonged use may cause temporary symptoms of hypoglycemia. Taking the tea in the evening before bed can ameliorate this side effect. If hypoglycemia persists when not drinking the tea, discontinue use.
DO NOT USE IF PREGNANT OR NURSING
* This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. These statements have not been reviewed by the FDA.
REFERENCES FOR THIS MONGRAPH
Barton D. Libbey J. 1985. Advances in Medicinal Phytochemistry Eurotext. Pierre Fabre Reserche Center.
Brack Egg: Encyclopedic Dictionary of useful plants of Peru, Cusco & Peru, 1999
Cabieses Fernando: Notes of Traditional Medicine, National Council of Science and Technology CONCYTEC Lima & Per 1993
Contreras, Jess, Gamarra Vidal, 1993. Determination of microbial limit and of the anti microbial activity of the species. Desmodium molliculum (HBK) D.C. Uncaria tomentosa (Wild) D.C., Tiquila paronnychoides (Phil) A. Phyllantus niruri L. U.N.M.S.M. Lima & Per
Correa J. Y Bernal H. Promising vegetal species from countries of Andres Bello¥s Agreement Vol. III
Estrella Eduardo, 1995: Amazonian Medicinal Plants, Reality and perspectives. Amazonian Cooperation Agreement.
Palacios J. 1997 Native Peruvian Medicinal Plants CONCYTEC , Lima , Peru
Pinedo M. Rengifo E. Cerruti T: Amazonian Medicinal Plants of Peru. Study of the use and cultivation. Institute of Amazonian Research of Peru (II AP) Iquitos ñ Peru
Soukop Jaroslav (1970) Vocabulary of common names of Peruvian flora. Salesiano School Lima ñ Peru
Taylor Leslie: Herbal Secrets of the Rainforest Prima Health & Colophon are trademarks of Prima communications, Inc. USA 1998.
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