Friendly plant: Phyllanthus niruri/amarus Linn. (Euphorbiaceae) – mainly for liver, kidneys, urinary tract, diabetes

Botanical: Phyllanthus niruri/amarus Linn. (Euphorbiaceae)

Hindi: Jaramla, bhoomyamlaki, bhoomi amla

Tamil: Keeranelli

Description:  A small branching 30-40 cm high herb. Tiny green fruit, the size of mustard seeds appear under the leaves. Grows wild in the rainy and warm months on the northern and central plains of India. Maybe perennial along the coastline and Southern/Eastern India.  Often found abundantly in the standing waters

Uses:  For LIVER: Whole plant ingested for speedy results in jaundice, and other forms of hepatitis. My father (a doctor himself) was given a tight ball of the plant to eat as a child, and he said his jaundice was cured within three days of the daily dose. But he mentioned that the plant was remarkably bitter and unpleasant. I tasted a ball myself, and though it was confirmedly bitter, I didn’t find it repugnant. However, the same plant growing in Vellore was much bitterer. People with jaundice and other liver issues have taken it, with very positive results.

You can combine this with Chirata Swertia (usually available with a ‘pansari’ or herbalist) for greater effect in most liver conditions. The chirata twigs, about half a teaspoon to be soaked overnight in three tablespoons of water. The water should be had first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. The same twigs can be re-soaked in another three tablespoons of water in the evening, and then discarded. Fresh twigs to be soaked for the morning. This should be done for not more than two weeks. This treatment in one instance cured one person with a very bad case of Hepatitis B, and she started to regain her appetite after just three doses.

In another case, a lesion on the liver that had persisted through 6 months of hospitalization and surgery, disappeared in just a week.

Just a couple of months ago, it showed most encouraging results, in just 15 days, in a case I treated of chronic Hepatitis C (the patient, 50 years, had this since childhood), when given in combination with other medicinal plants. Biochemic medication was given additionally and alongside.

OTHER USES: I have also read that it is a cure for leucorrhoea (white discharge) in women, and  for diabetes .

In Brazil they call it ‘chanca piedra’ (stone breaker), and use it to break down kidney stones.

Phyllanthus niruri, in my utilization, has worked well for hyperacidity too, used in conjunction with fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), a bit of liquorice (Glycerrizha glabra, which is to be had with caution if patient also has hypertension), ground rice, and amla (Embelica officinalis).

I have used it with good results for Urinary Tract Infection, as a mild decoction of the stem and leaves along with the stem and leaves of Tinospora Cordifolia (Giloy).