Phyllanthus niruri L.
Vernacular name: Stonebreaker, Bhumyamla (Hindi: भूई आंवला)
Species Name: Phyllanthus niruri L.
Family: Phyllanthaceae
Habit: Erect annual herb
Stem: Slender branched 30-60 cm tall, light green, angular/smooth.
Leaf: Distichous spiral (compound-like branchlets), elliptic-oblong 5-17×2-9 mm, asymmetrical base, pale beneath, numerous small leaflets.
Flowering: Year-round (monsoon peak)
Flowers: Tiny axillary greenish-white (♂♀ separate); sepals 6 elliptic, stamens 2-3 connate (♂), ovary 3-locular trilocular (♀), minute disc glands.
Fruit: Tiny depressed-globose schizocarpic capsule 2-3 mm (6 seeds), greenish turning black.
Uses:
- Plant has diuretic, antispasmodic, lithotriptic (kidney stones) and antipyretic properties.
- Plant has hepatoprotective properties (anti-HBV phyllanthin) used to treat jaundice and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,
- Plant can have antiviral and antibacterial properties that may help against hepatitis B and herpes.
- Traditionally plant can be used to treat rheumatism, arthritis, stomach ulcers and diabetes.
- Often confused with Phyllanthus amarus, Phyllanthus urinaria, Phyllanthus debilis though has different phyllanthin content.
- Also known as “Bhui amla” (earth amla), fracture healer and shamanic jaundice cure.
