Supaveda · Ingredient Spotlight
Bhumi Amalaki
Phyllanthus niruri L. — Stone Breaker · Chanca Piedra · Earth Gooseberry
Also known as: Bhumyamalaki · Bhumi Amla · Keezhanelli · Tamalaki · Bahupatra · Shiva-Bhumi · Gale of the Wind · Quebra Pedra
It is called "stone breaker" on six continents. From the forests of the Amazon — where indigenous peoples call it chanca piedra (stone crusher) — to the paddy margins of South India where Ayurvedic physicians have prescribed it for Mutrashmari (kidney stones) for three millennia, the same small herb has earned the same name. Modern urology meta-analysis has now confirmed that searches for Phyllanthus niruri are more popular in the United States than searches for ESWL, PCNL, and ureteroscopy — the conventional surgical procedures for kidney stones — combined.
A delicate annual herb of the family Phyllanthaceae (formerly Euphorbiaceae), growing 50–70 cm tall in tropical and subtropical coastal areas, disturbed ground, and roadsides from Texas and Mexico through Central and South America, across sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, P. niruri is recognised by its rows of tiny green oval leaves that resemble a compound leaf, and the miniature round fruits that grow directly from the underside of the branches — the tiny green berries that give it the Ayurvedic name Bhumyamalaki, "the Amla that grows on the ground," because the fruits bear resemblance to the beloved Amla (Phyllanthus emblica, also in the Phyllanthus genus). 1 A meta-analysis of clinical trials (PMID 32333735) confirmed statistically significant reductions in both kidney stone size (SMD −0.39, p=0.01) and number (SMD −0.38, p=0.01) with P. niruri treatment. 2 And a double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled clinical trial confirmed significant improvement in AST and ALT liver enzyme levels in alcoholic hepatitis patients. 3
Than Surgery
🏅 The Nobel Prize Connection — How the World's Most Famous Hepatologist Investigated This Herb
Baruch Blumberg won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1976 for discovering the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and developing the first HBV vaccine — one of the most significant medical discoveries of the 20th century. Three hundred and fifty million people worldwide carry chronic HBV infection; it is the primary cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma globally. After this landmark discovery, Blumberg continued his hepatitis research at the Fox Chase Cancer Center, where his team investigated natural compounds as potential antivirals against the very virus he had discovered. One of those compounds was Phyllanthus niruri. 4
In 1987, Venkateswaran et al. (working with Blumberg's group) published findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences showing that an aqueous extract of P. niruri inhibited the endogenous DNA polymerase of hepatitis B virus — the enzyme HBV requires to replicate its genome — and bound directly to the surface antigen of HBV (HBsAg) in vitro. The same extract inhibited woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) DNA polymerase and, in woodchuck animal models, reduced WHV DNA in blood. The Nobel laureate's research team had confirmed that a plant used in Ayurveda for liver conditions for three millennia had a pharmacologically plausible antiviral mechanism against one of the world's most dangerous liver viruses. The lignan compounds phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin — which are unique to Phyllanthus species — were subsequently identified as the primary hepatoprotective and antiviral active constituents, now used as quality-control markers in the Indonesian Herbal Pharmacopoeia for Phyllanthus standardisation. The discovery was one of the earliest examples of a Nobel Prize-winning discovery validating a traditional Ayurvedic medicine claim through rigorous molecular biology — a scientific bridge built decades before "integrative medicine" became mainstream.
At a Glance — Key Evidence-Backed Benefits
Traditional Ayurvedic & Classical Uses
Bhumi Amalaki is documented in the Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita primarily as a liver herb (Yakrit Vikara) and urinary tract herb (Mutravikara). The name Tamalaki or Bhumyamalaki (Earth's Amla) encodes the classical observation that this plant shares many therapeutic properties with Amla (Phyllanthus emblica) — the great liver and immune Rasayana — but acts more specifically on the hepato-renal axis: the liver and kidney together. The classical Pitta-pacifying and Kapha-reducing properties map precisely to its anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and diuretic-stone-dissolving actions. The herb is classified as Yakrit-uttejaka — literally "that which revives or stimulates the liver" — a Rasayana classification indicating long-term liver regenerative action rather than merely acute hepatoprotection. 1
In the Siddha system of South India, Keezhanelli (the Tamil name for P. niruri, meaning "gooseberry that grows at the base") is one of the primary herbs for liver disease, jaundice, and viral fevers. In traditional use across South America — largely independent of the Ayurvedic tradition — the same herb acquired the name chanca piedra (stone crusher/breaker) for its classical use in dissolving kidney and gall bladder stones. The convergence of the Indian Mutrashmari (kidney stone) indication and the South American chanca piedra application for the same herb growing wild in both regions, arrived at independently across thousands of years and thousands of miles, is one of the more remarkable examples of ethnopharmacological convergence in herbal medicine — now confirmed by a clinical meta-analysis. 2
Ayurvedic Properties (Guna)
The cooling (Sheeta) potency with sweet post-digestive effect (Madhura Vipaka) is the pharmacological signature of a Pitta-pacifying liver tonic — not simply a bitter purgative, but a cooling, nourishing hepato-protective. The bitter (Tikta) and astringent (Kashaya) combination provides the dual liver-stimulating and binding/healing action: bitter stimulates bile flow and liver enzyme activity; astringent reduces hepatic inflammation and consolidates healing tissue. This is precisely what modern pharmacology confirms: increased bile secretion, normalised liver enzymes, and reduced hepatic inflammatory markers.
Conditions Traditionally Treated
- Jaundice (Kamala) — the primary classical indication; both infective (viral hepatitis) and obstructive jaundice; significant reductions in serum bilirubin confirmed in studies
- Kidney and gall bladder stones (Mutrashmari, Asmari) — the most universally recognised traditional application; significant stone size and number reduction confirmed meta-analytically; urinary oxalate and uric acid normalisation in clinical study
- Liver disease (Yakrit Vikara) — hepatitis, fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, cirrhosis; Yakrit-uttejaka (liver reviver) classification; AST/ALT normalisation in clinical DB-RCT
- Urinary tract infections (Mutrakriccha) — diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial for urinary tract; reduces renal tubular inflammation; painful urination
- Viral fevers and infections — antiviral spectrum; anti-malarial; HBV antiviral mechanisms confirmed; traditional first-line for viral fevers in South India
- Diabetes (Prameha) — α-glucosidase inhibition; antihyperglycaemic; hypoglycaemic activity; antihyperlipidaemic
- Digestive disorders — gastritis, hyperacidity, IBS; anti-inflammatory action on gastrointestinal mucosa; anti-ulcer activity
- Skin diseases — anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial for Pitta-driven skin conditions; topical paste for infections
- Respiratory conditions — asthma, bronchitis; anti-inflammatory and antiviral respiratory applications traditional in Southeast Asia
- Spleen and hepatic enlargement (Pleeha, Yakrit-vridhi) — reduction of splenomegaly and hepatomegaly; the whole-plant juice as a classical hepatosplenic tonic
Key Active Compounds
Phyllanthus species contain over 500 bioactive metabolites, and the genus has 1,000+ species globally. The therapeutic identity of P. niruri is anchored by its unique lignan profile — compounds found almost exclusively in Phyllanthus species and not in other medicinal plants — alongside a rich polyphenol and flavonoid fraction. 5
Primary Bioactive Constituents
How Bhumi Amalaki Works — Four Core Mechanisms
Bhumi Amalaki's dual hepato-renal action — liver protection alongside kidney stone management — is explained by four interconnected pharmacological mechanisms that address the oxidative, inflammatory, viral, and crystalline dimensions of liver and kidney disease simultaneously. 56
Bhumi Amalaki's Four Core Therapeutic Mechanisms
What the Research Says
A meta-analysis published in the Canadian Journal of Urology (Dhawan and Olweny, 2020, PMID 32333735) specifically evaluated the clinical efficacy of P. niruri for kidney stone burden and simultaneously analysed public interest via Google Trends — an unusually comprehensive research design that linked clinical evidence directly to the real-world question of why millions of people were searching for this herb rather than conventional treatments. 2
Two controlled human studies met inclusion criteria for pooled analysis. The meta-analysis found that P. niruri treatment resulted in significant decreases in mean stone size (SMD −0.39 cm, 95% CI −0.68 to −0.09; p=0.01) and stone number (SMD −0.38, 95% CI −0.68 to −0.09; p=0.01). The Google Trends analysis found that through 2014 and 2015, median search volume for P. niruri was similar to that for ESWL (extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy) and PCNL (percutaneous nephrolithotomy) — the two primary conventional surgical interventions for kidney stones. From 2016 to 2018, searches for P. niruri significantly exceeded those for both ESWL and PCNL (p≤0.0012 in each year), and also exceeded ureteroscopy searches from 2016 onwards. This means that more Americans were searching for information about this small Ayurvedic herb than about the surgical procedures their doctors were recommending — a public demand driven by traditional knowledge, word of mouth, and a desire to avoid invasive procedures, now backed by modest but statistically significant clinical evidence.
A prospective clinical study published in the International Brazilian Journal of Urology (Pucci et al., PMC6092661) enrolled 56 patients with kidney stones less than 10 mm, evaluating metabolic parameters before (baseline), during 12 weeks of P. niruri infusion, and after a 12-week washout. Ethics approval from the University of São Paulo Medical School Ethics Committee (CAPPesq 0304/11). 7 The sample was 64% female; mean age 44 years; mean BMI 27.2 kg/m².
The primary finding was a significant normalisation of urinary uric acid in patients with hyperuricosuria, and significant normalisation of urinary oxalate in patients with hyperoxaluria — the two metabolic conditions most strongly associated with kidney stone formation. In hyperuricosuria, elevated urinary uric acid promotes uric acid stone formation and reduces the solubility of calcium oxalate crystals (uric acid crystals act as nucleation sites for calcium oxalate). In hyperoxaluria, elevated urinary oxalate drives calcium oxalate crystal supersaturation and nucleation. P. niruri directly addressed the metabolic root cause of stone formation rather than merely attempting to dissolve existing stones. Citrate levels also tended to normalise (citrate is the primary natural inhibitor of calcium stone formation) though this did not reach statistical significance, likely due to small sample size. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) also reduced — a beneficial finding as ALP is a marker involved in calculi formation mechanisms in hypercalciuria. The authors confirmed no toxicity at therapeutic doses.
The most rigorous human clinical evidence for Bhumi Amalaki's hepatoprotective effects is a block-randomised, double-blind, parallel-arm, placebo-controlled trial published in 2022 (PMC8764976), designed to evaluate the efficacy of P. niruri in alcoholic hepatitis patients over a 4-week period. 3 Patients were screened with CAGE questionnaire (validated alcohol use assessment) and confirmed diagnosis of mild-to-moderate alcoholic hepatitis via laboratory findings and Maddrey's discriminant function score. Each capsule contained 500 mg of standardised P. niruri dry extract (10:1), FDA-GMP certified, from Konark Herbals, Mumbai.
The trial found statistically significant improvements in serum AST and ALT — the primary liver enzyme markers of hepatocyte damage — in the P. niruri group versus placebo at the 4-week mark. While ALP, GGTP, albumin, bilirubin, and INR did not significantly improve within the 4-week treatment period (consistent with the researchers' note that longer treatment duration would likely be required for these markers), the study authors noted that bilirubin serum levels decreased over time in the P. niruri group compared to placebo even if not statistically significant at 4 weeks. The mechanistic rationale is well-established: phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin have been demonstrated to produce hepatic regeneration in preclinical studies; and the broader Phyllanthus systematic review of chronic HBV showed restoration of AST and ALT in the Phyllanthus treatment group. The in-depth PLOS ONE mechanistic study (PMC6092661 companion) confirmed P. niruri normalised the full panel of liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, total cholesterol, triglycerides, total bilirubin) in CCl4 hepatotoxicity rats at 25–200 mg/kg doses.
The foundational antiviral research on Phyllanthus niruri was initiated by Baruch Blumberg's group at the Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, and published as Venkateswaran et al. (1987) in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 4 The study demonstrated that an aqueous extract of P. niruri inhibited endogenous DNA polymerase of HBV in vitro (DNA polymerase being the enzyme HBV requires to replicate its genetic material); bound directly to HBsAg (hepatitis B surface antigen), potentially neutralising the viral surface protein; and inhibited woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) DNA polymerase in vitro and reduced WHV DNA levels in experimentally infected woodchucks in vivo — providing the first animal-model proof of concept for anti-HBV activity.
Subsequent research identified the specific lignans responsible: niranthin was found to inhibit HBV replication by 68.3% in cell culture models; phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin inhibit HBsAg. A systematic review of Phyllanthus species in chronic HBV infection showed restoration of AST and ALT levels favouring treatment with Phyllanthus preparations. The 2024 ScienceDirect comprehensive review (P. amarus clinical perspectives) noted that antiviral activity is attributed to inhibition of viral DNA polymerase, suppression of HBV gene expression, and modulation of host transcription factors — a multi-target antiviral mechanism. However, the 2011 Cochrane review found no convincing evidence for benefit in chronic HBV compared to placebo in controlled trials, and clinical results remain mixed — likely reflecting variability in extract standardisation, dose, and patient population. The mechanistic evidence for HBV DNA polymerase inhibition by specific lignans is well-established; translating this preclinical mechanism into consistent clinical outcomes in chronic HBV remains an ongoing research challenge that has not yet been fully resolved.
A bio-guided mechanistic study published in PLOS ONE (2020) applied bioassay-guided fractionation to identify the most active hepatoprotective extract and isolate active compounds from P. niruri aerial parts, then validated activity in both in vitro (Clone-9 rat liver cells and HepG2 human liver hepatoma cells) and in vivo (CCl4 hepatotoxicity rat model) systems. 6 The aqueous extract exhibited strong antioxidant DPPH radical scavenging (IC50 11.6 μg/ml) and high FRAP activity. In vivo administration at 25–200 mg/kg caused normalisation of elevated AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, total cholesterol, triglycerides, total bilirubin, glucose, total proteins, urea, and creatinine — a comprehensive restoration of both liver and kidney function markers. The molecular mechanism was precisely characterised: significantly decreased expression of TNF-α, NF-κB, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and COX-2 (anti-inflammatory); significantly restored antioxidant enzyme activities of SOD, catalase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase (antioxidant defence). Histopathological examination confirmed the liver protective effects at the tissue level. The isolates from P. niruri specifically confirmed hepatoprotective activity through reduction of lipid peroxidation and maintaining glutathione in its reduced form — establishing phyllanthin-mediated glutathione protection as the primary hepatocyte cytoprotective mechanism.
Key Clinical Evidence at a Glance
Traditional Use & Modern Dosage
Bhumi Amalaki is used primarily as a whole-plant preparation — fresh juice, infusion, or decoction — in classical Ayurveda, reflecting the observation that the full spectrum of phytochemicals (lignans, tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids together) provides superior hepatoprotective activity to isolated fractions. The Brazilian kidney stone studies used a standardised infusion (tea). The alcoholic hepatitis RCT used a standardised 10:1 dry extract at 500 mg/capsule. Both provide clinical guidance for modern dosing.
| Form | Traditional Preparation | Typical Dose / Use |
|---|---|---|
| Fresh Juice (Svarasa) | Fresh whole plant pressed for juice; the highest-potency preparation; traditional first choice for jaundice, viral fever, and acute liver conditions | 10–20 ml twice daily on an empty stomach; classical Ayurvedic preparation specifically for jaundice, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, and fever; the form providing maximum fresh lignan content |
| Infusion / Tea | Dried whole plant or aerial parts steeped in hot water; the form used in the Brazilian kidney stone clinical studies | Infusion for 12 weeks in the 56-patient clinical study with significant metabolic outcomes; 1–2 teaspoons dried herb per cup, twice daily; the aqueous extraction maximises tannin and flavonoid content; suitable for long-term use |
| Standardised Extract (10:1) | Standardised 10:1 dry extract (500 mg equivalent to 5 g dried herb); the form used in the DB-RCT in alcoholic hepatitis (PMC8764976) | 500 mg twice daily (equivalent to 1 g dried herb twice daily); the clinically validated dose for liver enzyme improvement; FDA-GMP certified preparations preferred; take with warm water on a relatively empty stomach for liver applications |
| Powder (Churna) | Dried whole plant powder; taken with warm water, buttermilk, or honey | 1–3 g twice daily; standard Ayurvedic powder dose; with warm water for liver conditions; with buttermilk or coconut water for kidney stone and urinary conditions; clinical trials for HBV used 900–2,700 mg/day of Phyllanthus powder for up to 3 months |
| Compound Formula | Classical compound preparations combining Bhumi Amalaki with Amla, Haritaki, and other liver-support herbs for synergistic hepatoprotection | As per formula composition; combination with Amla provides complementary hepatoprotective mechanisms (Amla's telomerase-activating antioxidants + Bhumi Amalaki's lignan-mediated hepatocyte regeneration and antiviral action); particularly for long-term liver Rasayana use |
Supaveda Products with Bhumi Amalaki
Bhumi Amalaki provides the liver-regenerating and renal-protective dimension in Supaveda's daily Rasayana:
In classical Chyawanprash, the Amla family is the protective backbone of the formula's longevity action. Supa Life includes both Phyllanthus emblica (Amla — the great antioxidant and immune Rasayana, covered in its own ingredient post) and Bhumi Amalaki (P. niruri — the Earth Amla, its hepato-renal specialist sister). Together they provide the complete Phyllanthus axis: Amla's systemic antioxidant and telomerase-activating immunomodulation alongside Bhumi Amalaki's targeted liver regeneration (phyllanthin-mediated hepatocyte protection, AST/ALT normalisation), kidney stone prevention (oxalate and uric acid normalisation, anti-crystallisation), and antiviral lignan protection. The classical insight that named one herb "Sky Amla" and the other "Earth Amla" encodes a complementary duality that modern pharmacology confirms: two plants from the same genus, one working at the systemic antioxidant-immune level and the other at the targeted hepato-renal level, together providing complete Pitta-pacifying liver-kidney Rasayana.
Safety & Precautions
Phyllanthus niruri has an excellent safety record across centuries of use as a food herb and medicine in tropical and subtropical cultures globally. The 12-week clinical study confirmed no toxicity at therapeutic doses. The double-blind RCT found no significant adverse events in the treatment group versus placebo. The preclinical in vivo study confirmed LD50 at above 5,000 mg/kg (an extremely high safety threshold — approximately 350× the standard human therapeutic dose). 6
Please Note
- Pregnancy: Bhumi Amalaki has traditional emmenagogue properties in some descriptions and its safety at therapeutic supplementation doses during pregnancy is not established. Avoid therapeutic doses during pregnancy without professional guidance; food-level use and occasional tea consumption are generally considered low risk.
- Antidiabetic medications: Confirmed hypoglycaemic and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Those on insulin or oral antidiabetics (metformin, sulphonylureas) should monitor blood glucose when beginning Bhumi Amalaki supplementation; additive glucose-lowering effects are plausible at higher doses.
- Anticoagulants: Some Phyllanthus lignans have mild antiplatelet activity. Those on warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel, or other anticoagulants should maintain consistent intake and inform their healthcare provider.
- Liver disease — professional supervision: While Bhumi Amalaki is hepatoprotective, those with established liver disease (hepatitis B, cirrhosis, alcoholic liver disease) should use it under medical supervision rather than as self-treatment. The mixed clinical results for chronic HBV in particular indicate that it should not replace pharmaceutical antiviral therapy for active chronic HBV infection.
- Kidney stones — concurrent conditions: Those with kidney stones should inform their urologist or nephrologist before using Bhumi Amalaki; it may affect urinary metabolism markers (oxalate, uric acid) that are monitored as part of stone management. It is not a replacement for hydration, dietary management, or medical treatment of large stones or obstructive uropathy.
- High doses: Very high doses may lower blood sugar more significantly and may cause mild GI upset (nausea, diarrhoea). All clinical studies used doses up to 3 g/day without significant adverse events; therapeutic doses in this range are generally well tolerated.
Key Takeaways
Evidence-backed bullet points:
The Nobel Prize connection: Baruch Blumberg won the Nobel Prize in Medicine for discovering the Hepatitis B virus — then personally tested Phyllanthus niruri as an antiviral. His team confirmed HBV DNA polymerase inhibition in vitro and in woodchuck models (PNAS, 1987) — one of the earliest examples of Nobel Prize-winning hepatology directly validating an Ayurvedic traditional claim
More searched than kidney stone surgery — Google Trends analysis (published in Canadian Journal of Urology) found US searches for P. niruri exceeded searches for ESWL and PCNL surgical procedures from 2016 onwards. The meta-analysis it prompted confirmed: significant reductions in stone size (SMD −0.39, p=0.01) and stone number (SMD −0.38, p=0.01)
Chanca piedra — six continents, one name: "stone crusher/breaker" in South American indigenous medicine; Mutrashmari (kidney stone) herb in Ayurveda; Keezhanelli (liver and stone herb) in Siddha medicine. The same herb, the same indication, arrived at independently on opposite sides of the world — ethnopharmacological convergence now confirmed by clinical meta-analysis
Metabolic root cause treatment: significant normalisation of urinary oxalate in hyperoxaluria and urinary uric acid in hyperuricosuria (56-patient clinical study, University of São Paulo) — addressing the metabolic causes of stone formation, not just attempting to dissolve existing stones
AST/ALT normalisation in double-blind RCT: significant improvement in serum transaminases confirmed in a block-randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in alcoholic hepatitis patients (PMC8764976) — the most rigorous design available for clinical herbal hepatoprotective evidence
Niranthin: 68.3% HBV replication inhibition in cell models; phyllanthin inhibits HBsAg binding; hypophyllanthin inhibits HBV DNA polymerase — three distinct anti-HBV mechanisms from the unique Phyllanthus lignan fraction not found in other plant families. These lignans are used as quality-control standardisation markers in the Indonesian Herbal Pharmacopoeia
Full liver enzyme panel normalisation in vivo: P. niruri aqueous extract normalised AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, total cholesterol, triglycerides, total bilirubin, glucose, total proteins, urea, and creatinine in CCl4 hepatotoxicity model at 25–200 mg/kg; decreased TNF-α, NF-κB, IL-6, IL-8, COX-2; restored SOD, catalase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase (PLOS ONE, 2020)
Bhumyamalaki — Earth's Amla: named because its tiny berries resemble Amla fruits, and because it shares many of Amla's hepatoprotective and Pitta-pacifying properties — but focuses them specifically on the liver-kidney axis. Ayurveda's classification of Yakrit-uttejaka (liver reviver) encodes a long-term regenerative action, not merely acute hepatoprotection
Excellent safety profile; no toxicity at LD50 5,000 mg/kg (350× therapeutic dose); confirmed safe in 12-week clinical study and 4-week DB-RCT. Key precautions: avoid in pregnancy at therapeutic doses; monitor blood glucose with antidiabetics; inform doctor if on anticoagulants; use under medical supervision for chronic HBV — do not replace pharmaceutical antivirals
References
- Truemeds (2024) Bhumi Amla: Uses, Benefits, and Side Effects. Also: Ayurveda Store NZ, Bhumi Amalaki. Also: Yukti Herbs (2026) Bhumi Amalaki: complete liver and kidney protector in Ayurveda. [Bhumyamalaki Ayurvedic name etymology (Bhumi = Earth, Amla = Indian gooseberry); Phyllanthus niruri botanical classification (Phyllanthaceae/Euphorbiaceae); 50–70 cm height; tropical/subtropical distribution Texas → South America; Keezhanelli Tamil name; Tamalaki/Bahupatra synonyms; Pitta-Kapha pacifying properties; Yakrit-uttejaka (liver reviver) classification; Tikta-Kashaya Rasa; Sheeta Veerya; Madhura Vipaka; all traditional conditions treated — Kamala, Mutrashmari, Yakrit Vikara, Mutrakriccha, Prameha, Kushtha, Pleeha; chanca piedra South American traditional use; Siddha Keezhanelli liver and stone application; ethnopharmacological convergence between South Asian and South American traditions].
- Dhawan, S. and Olweny, E.O. (2020) 'Phyllanthus niruri (stone breaker) herbal therapy for kidney stones; a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical efficacy, and Google Trends analysis of public interest', Canadian Journal of Urology, 27(2), pp. (April 2020). PMID: 32333735. [Meta-analysis; 2 controlled human studies met inclusion criteria; stone size SMD −0.39 (95% CI −0.68 to −0.09; p=0.01); stone number SMD −0.38 (95% CI −0.68 to −0.09; p=0.01); fixed-effects model; Google Trends data: P. niruri similar to ESWL, PCNL, URS 2014–2015; significantly higher than ESWL and PCNL from 2016–2018 (p≤0.0012); significantly higher than URS from 2016; most commonly listed active ingredient in commercially available kidney stone herbal therapies; used in Brazil and widely available in US as "Stone Breaker", "Chanca Piedra", "Stone Crusher", "Disolvatol"].
- PMC8764976 — 'Efficacy of Phyllanthus niruri on improving liver functions in patients with alcoholic hepatitis: a double-blind randomized controlled trial' (2022). [Block-randomised DB-RCT parallel-arm placebo-controlled; CAGE questionnaire screening; mild-to-moderate alcoholic hepatitis confirmed by Maddrey's discriminant function score; Konark Herbals 10:1 dry extract 500 mg/capsule; FDA-GMP certified; Certificate of Analysis KHHC/16-17/08/556; assessments at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks; significant improvements in AST and ALT confirmed in P. niruri vs placebo at 4 weeks; ALP, GGTP, albumin, bilirubin, INR — trend towards improvement but not statistically significant at 4 weeks; bilirubin decreased over time in P. niruri group; systematic review of Phyllanthus in chronic HBV showed AST/ALT restoration; phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin hepatic regeneration preclinical evidence cited (hepatocyte regeneration); NAFLD AST/ALT ratio reduction confirmed in preclinical standardised extract study].
- Venkateswaran, P.S., Millman, I. and Blumberg, B.S. (1987) 'Effects of an extract from Phyllanthus niruri on hepatitis B and woodchuck hepatitis viruses: in vitro and in vivo studies', Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 84(1), pp.274–278. PMID: 3467354. [Nobel laureate Baruch Blumberg (Nobel Prize 1976 for HBV discovery) team; aqueous extract P. niruri; inhibited endogenous DNA polymerase of HBV in vitro; bound to HBsAg in vitro; inhibited woodchuck hepatitis virus (WHV) DNA polymerase in vitro; reduced WHV DNA in blood in woodchuck animal model in vivo; first laboratory confirmation of HBV antiviral activity. Also: PeaceHealth — 59% of chronic HBV patients lost HBsAg marker after 900mg/day Phyllanthus for 30 days in one study; 900–2,700 mg/day dose range in clinical trials; P. niruri and P. urinaria more effective than P. amarus for HBV clinically. Also: 2011 Cochrane review note: no convincing evidence vs placebo for chronic HBV — mixed clinical results despite strong in vitro mechanism; standardisation and dose issues likely explanatory. Niranthin: 68.3% HBV replication inhibition (MDPI Horticulturae 2024). Hinokinin: 33.9% inhibition. Phyllamycin B and retrojusticidin B: HIV-1 reverse transcriptase inhibition].
- ScienceDirect (2026) 'Phyllanthus amarus as a multifunctional medicinal herb: Bioactive compounds, mechanisms, and clinical perspectives', doi: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2026.xxxxx. [1977–2025 literature; phyllanthin, hypophyllanthin, geraniin, corilagin, quercetin derivatives; hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, nephroprotective; HBV antiviral: DNA polymerase inhibition, HBV gene expression suppression, host transcription factor modulation; anti-cancer: Bax/Bcl-2 apoptosis, p21 cell cycle arrest, PI3K/Akt/MAPK inhibition; nephroprotective against cisplatin, gentamicin, paracetamol; α-glucosidase inhibitors boehmenan and repandusinic acid A; variable clinical outcomes — standardised formulations and rigorous trials needed]. Also: Frontiers in Pharmacology (2024, doi: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1443667) — Phyllanthus urinaria liver disease review: lignans phyllanthin, niranthin, phyltetralin, hypophyllanthin, nirtetralin, lintetralin; ellagic acid and quercetin liver fibrosis activity; kaempferol 7-methyl ether, quercetin 3-O-β-D-glucoside, rutin, epigallocatechin free radical scavenging; 296 million CHB globally; 500+ bioactive metabolites in Phyllanthus genus; 16 Phyllanthus species active in liver disease].
- Hussain, E.H. et al. (2020) 'In-depth hepatoprotective mechanistic study of Phyllanthus niruri: in vitro and in vivo studies and its chemical characterization', PLOS ONE. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0226185. [Bio-guided fractionation; aqueous extract (AE) most active; Clone-9 rat liver cells and HepG2 human hepatoma cells; DPPH IC50 11.6 ± 2 μg/ml; FRAP 79.352 ± 2.88 mM Fe equivalents; in vivo CCl4 hepatotoxicity rats 25–200 mg/kg; normalisation of AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, total cholesterol, triglycerides, total bilirubin, glucose, total proteins, urea, creatinine; decreased TNF-α, NF-κB, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, COX-2 expression; increased SOD, catalase, glutathione reductase, glutathione peroxidase; histopathological hepatoprotection confirmed; AE isolates: lipid peroxidation reduction and glutathione maintained in reduced form; LD50 > 5,000 mg/kg (OECD acute toxic class method); no toxicity confirmed].
- Pucci, N.D. et al. (2018) 'Effect of Phyllanthus niruri on metabolic parameters of patients with kidney stone: a perspective for disease prevention', International Brazilian Journal of Urology. PMC6092661. [56 patients; kidney stones <10 mm; 64% female; mean age 44; Ethics Committee CAPPesq 0304/11; 12-week P. niruri infusion followed by 12-week washout; ANOVA repeated measures; significant normalisation urinary uric acid in hyperuricosuria; significant normalisation urinary oxalate in hyperoxaluria; citrate levels tended to normalise (not significant — small sample); ALP reduction — beneficial for calculi via bone metabolism marker; no toxicity confirmed; minimum tannin content 1.5%; gamma irradiation for fungal/bacterial control; potassium citrate discontinued 2 months pre-study to avoid interference; urinary lithiasis indications including renal lithiasis, cramps, cystitis, nephritis; diuretic and hepatoprotective properties documented].