Medicinal Plants : Phyllanthus amarus

Name

Bhuamalaki

Biological Name

Phyllanthus niruri, Phyllanthus urinaria, Phyllanthus amarus

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.

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.

Safety

No side effects have been reported when using phyllanthus as recommended.