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Herb Information
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
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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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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.
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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.
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Healing
Applications
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.
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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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