Medicinal History Of Phyllanthus Niruri

Other Common Names: Bhuamalaki, Bhuy amalaki, Niruri, bhuiamla, bahupatra, Phyllanthus niruri, Phyllanthus urinaria, Phyllanthus amarus

Range: India, China, and the Tropics.

Phyllanthus has been used in ayurveda">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.

Phyllanthus niruri is the most effective of a group of closely related species that grow in India, China, and tropical locations ranging from the Philippines to Cuba. Scientists have not identified the ingredient responsible for its medicinal effect, but the herb has been shown to block an enzyme that plays a crucial role in reproduction of the hepatitis B virus. As a result, a majority of patients show an improvement in blood tests after a month of treatment.

In a preliminary study, carriers of hepatitis B virus were treated with a preparation of the plant Phyllanthus amarus for 30 days. 22 of 37 (59%) treated patients had lost hepatitis B surface antigen when tested 15-20 days after the end of the treatment compared with only 1 of 23 (4%) placebo-treated controls. Some subjects have been followed for up to 9 months. In no case has the surface antigen returned. Clinical observation revealed few or no toxic effects. The encouraging results of this preliminary study recommend continued evaluation of this plant and the active principles isolated from it.

To be effective, the herb must be taken regularly for a month or longer. At customary dosage levels, no side effects have been reported.

- Effect of Phyllanthus amarus on chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus. Lancet. 2(8614):764-6, 1988 Oct 1.

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