Benefits of Chanca Piedra (herb for gall and kidney stones)

Nancy janssens
Sep 5
5 min read

All articles we show are in English

Origin

Chanca piedra (Phyllanthus niruri) Chanca piedra is a herb that grows in tropical areas, such as the rainforests of South America.

Chanca piedra is known by several names, including:

-Seed-under-leaf ( Seed-under-leaf)

-Gale of the wind ( Storm of the wind)

-Stonebreaker ( Stonebreaker)

Carry-me- seed

What is Chanca Piedra

Chanca piedra (Phyllanthus niruri) is a plant native to the Amazon rainforest that has historically (and still does today) been used by naturopaths to make medicines. This plant primarily supports the health of the bladder, kidneys, gallbladder, and liver.

Changa Piedra, the most well-known nickname, is stonebreaker. The Spanish name Chanca Piedra translates to "stonebreaker." This is because it is known for dissolving kidney stones.

Use and dosage

Usage

You can take Chanca Piedra in many ways, such as:

-Powder form

-Dried cut leaf

-Supplement

-Extracts (in liquid)

Dose

There isn't really an official recommendation. We're basing our findings on research we found.

Tea: Chanca Piedra extracts are mixed with water, and the mild tea can be drunk two to three times a day.

Powder:

You shouldn't use Chanca Piedra routinely for longer than 4 to 6 weeks . However, you can safely take up to 400 mg three times a day. You can take slightly more and take it for a longer period to help heal kidney stones (three months instead of one).

Researchers have used various dosages to test the plant's effectiveness. In one study of its effect on liver function, participants took one 500-milligram capsule of Chanca Piedra twice daily for four weeks.

But in another study for kidney stone treatment, people took 4.5 grams of powdered Chanca Piedra daily for 12 weeks.

What if I take too much of the herb?

Taking too much Chanca Piedra has unknown effects. Few clinical studies on Chanca Piedra have been completed. As a result, little is known about a possible upper dose limit. Always start with a low dose.

An electrolyte imbalance may occur if too much Chanca Piedra is taken.

A clinical study on Chanca Piedra and its effects on kidney stones showed an increase in potassium excretion when using this plant. There is a risk of low potassium levels in the body if too much Chanca Piedra is consumed. Make sure to eat extra foods high in potassium.

So if you're taking Chanca Piedra, I might suggest taking a good electrolyte supplement. Dr. Carolyn Dean and Dr. Robert Young have very high-quality electrolytes. See their website for supplements.

Possible detox effects

It's possible that treating kidney stones will cause your body to experience a detox effect. Finally, the plant is an antioxidant, removes parasites, protects your liver, and removes bile or kidney stones. So detox effects are quite possible. Read more about detox symptoms .

Interaction with pharmaceutical drugs

This blog will help you find information about possible interactions with medications.

What To Know Before Using Chanca Piedra: potential Drug Interactions

https://www.health.com/chanca-piedra-8639715

Do not take Chanca Piedra if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant

An important note here is that Chanca Piedra was traditionally used to induce abortion. Therefore, pregnant women and women who are trying to conceive are advised not to use Chanca Piedra.

Therefore, it is also advised that young children and breastfeeding mothers should not use Chanca Piedra.

See blog about pregnancy

One study found that mice given 100 mg of Chanca Piedra per kg of body weight for 30 days had difficulty conceiving. See article (English)

All benefits at a glance

-Antioxidants

-Breaks kidney stones and gallstones

-Protects the liver

-Helps against harmful organisms

Discussion of benefits

1-Antioxidant activity of Chanca Piedra

Chanca Piedra has been evaluated for antioxidant activity and its response to high blood pressure and high blood sugar . Chanca Piedra's high phenolic content has demonstrated antioxidant activity, which has been shown to support balanced blood sugar levels and normal blood pressure.

See Article 1

See Article 2

See Article 3

This has generated excitement about Chanca Piedra's potential in times of need. In one study, researchers noted that Chanca Piedra activates an enhanced antioxidant defense system.

See article

2-Can remove gallstones and kidney stones

Chanca Piedra has been used for generations by indigenous peoples of the Amazon to support the elimination of gallstones and kidney stones. In Ayurvedic medicine, Chanca Piedra is considered the most promising herb for kidney stones. See article

Taking P. niruri is safe and has no significant adverse effects on serum metabolic parameters. It increases urinary excretion of magnesium and potassium and significantly reduces urinary oxalate and uric acid in patients with hyperoxaluria and hyperuricosuria.

Consumption of P.niruri contributed to the elimination of urinary stones.

See article

--> Make sure you take extra magnesium and potassium during your treatment.

While long-term randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm its therapeutic properties, some preliminary studies suggest that Chanca Piedra may discourage gallbladder and kidney stones and may indeed have the potential to protect against kidney stones. See article

A 2002 study found that Chanca Piedra stimulates the liver's bile secretion. Increased bile aids the digestion process, which benefits nutrient absorption and waste elimination.

A 2006 Brazilian study showed that Chanca Piedra's therapeutic effect may be due to its ability to change the shape and texture of calculi into a smoother and more fragile form, making them easier to remove and/or dissolve. See article

Another study published in Urological Research showed that Chanca piedra has an inhibitory effect on crystal growth and aggregation in human urine, which may inhibit stone formation and serve as an important part of a prevention strategy for people with a history of kidney stones. See article

Another 2006 study of 150 kidney stone patients, as reported in the Journal of Urology, tested the effectiveness of Chanca Piedra supplementation in patients receiving shock wave therapy.

Shockwave therapy (administered externally) breaks down stones to facilitate their elimination. After completing this therapy, about half of the patients received 2 grams of Chanca piedra daily for 30 days.

The rest of the group did not take Chanca piedra and served as a control group. Stone clearance was assessed after 30, 60, 90, and 180 days using abdominal x-rays and ultrasound. The stone-free rate in the Chanca piedra patients was 10%-23% lower than in the control group. See article

3-Chanca Piedra supports the liver

Traditional Chinese medicine has always cited Chanca Piedra as an herb that supports liver health. See article

The Department of Chemistry at the Bose Institute in India conducted an animal study investigating the liver-protective effect of Chanca Piedra against acetaminophen toxicity. The results showed that a protein in Chanca Piedra protects liver tissues from oxidative stress, likely by enhancing antioxidant defense. See article

Research findings from the Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research suggest that compounds in Chanca Piedra may be a valuable component of a multi-herb liver-supporting formulation. See article

4-Chanca Piedra helps against harmful organisms

Chanca Piedra water extracts are selectively toxic to certain types of harmful organisms, without harming beneficial organisms. See article

The University of the Republic examined 28 plant and algae species for their activity against harmful organisms. Researchers noted that the most interesting activity was observed in Chanca Piedra. See article

This observation and conclusion was echoed by researchers from the University of Malaysia. See article