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| Phyllanthus
amarus |
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| Name |
| Bhuamalaki |
| Biological
Name |
|
Phyllanthus niruri, Phyllanthus urinaria, Phyllanthus amarus
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| Other
Names |
Bhuamalaki, Bhuy amalaki, Niruri,
bhuiamla, bahupatra
Bhuiavala, Bhulamla, Bhumyaamlaki, Bhuta- dhatri, Bhuyavali,
Herbe due chagrin, Jaramla, Kilanelli, Kirunelli, Kizhkay nelli,
Nela usirika, Phyllanthe niruri, Weisse Blatt-blume
|
| Parts
Used |
| Leaves, root, whole plant. |
| Active
Compounds |
|
Phyllanthus primarily contains lignans (e.g., phyllanthine
and hypophyllanthine), alkaloids, and bioflavonoids (e.g.,
quercetin). While it remains unknown as to which of these
ingredients has an anti-viral effect, research shows that
this herb acts primarily on the liver. This action in the
liver confirms its historical use as a remedy for jaundice.
|
| History |
| Phyllanthus has been used in Ayurvedic
medicine for over 2,000 years and has a wide number of traditional
uses. This includes employing the whole plant for jaundice,
gonorrhea, frequent menstruation, and diabetes and using it
topically as a poultice for skin ulcers, sores, swelling, and
itchiness. The young shoots of the plant are administered in
the form of an infusion for the treatment of chronic dysentery. |
| Remedies
For |
|
Actions
Bitter, astringent, de-obstruent, stomachic
The plant is considered deobstruent, diuretic, astringent
and cooling.
Uses
Hepatitis
Phyllanthus blocks DNA polymerase, the enzyme needed for the
hepatitis B virus to reproduce. Fifty-nine percent of those
infected with chronic viral hepatitis B lost one of the major
blood markers of HBV infection (e.g., hepatitis B surface
antigen) after using phyllanthus for thirty days. While clinical
studies on the outcome of phyllanthus and HBV have been mixed,
the species P. urinaria and P. niruri seem to work far better
than P. amarus.
Jaundice: Use the decoction of the plant.
Whole plant is useful for the treatment of some forms of
dropsy, gonorrhea, menorrhagia and other genito- urinary affections
of a similar type.
A poultice of the leaves mixed with salt cures itch and other
skin affections.
The other applications of the herb include treatments for:
diabetes, dyspepsia, ulcers, sores, swellings, ophthalmia,
and chronic dysentery.
|
| Description |
|
This herb, used in ayurveda, is a perennial herb found in
Central and Southern India, to Sri Lanka. It can grow to 12-24
inches in height and blooms with many yellow flowers. All
parts of the plant are employed therapeutically. Phyllanthus
species are also found in other countries, including China
(e.g., Phyllanthus urinaria), the Philippines, Cuba, Nigeria,
and Guam.
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| Dosage |
|
Infusion, juice, poultice, powder, pill
Research has utilized the powdered form of phyllanthus in
amounts ranging from 900–2,700 mg per day for three months.
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| Safety |
|
No side effects have been reported when using phyllanthus
as recommended.
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