Treat Illnesses at Zero Cost Using Phyllanthus Urinaria
Phyllanthus urinaria is a tropical and sub-tropical species tolerant of high temperatures, and saline and infertile soil. It is an erect, slender, branched, glabrous herb, 10-35 cm high. It has numerous small fruits, round and smooth, along the stems’ underside. The leaves are closed at night and are open during the day.
Phyllanthus urinaria is used to treat various complications in different regions of the world. It has long been used in traditional oriental medicine for the treatment of liver damage, hepatitis, jaundice, renal disorders, enteritis, diarrhea, and dropsy. Experimentally, P. urinaria displays antiviral, antitumor, hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial effects.
-In China, a decoction of the whole plant can clear heat toxins and remove dampness so it is employed to treat jaundice, enteritis, diarrhea, and dropsy.
-In India, P. urinaria is considered a very good diuretic, and the crushing plant is used as a fish poison.
-In Taiwan, a decoction of young shoots or roots of P. urinaria is traditionally used to treat contagious hepatitis, acute conjunctivitis, diarrhea, edema, and dysentery.
-In Thailand, P. amarus, P. virgatus G. Forst., and P. urinaria share the name “look Tai bai”; all of these plants are used to treat gonorrhea, jaundice, diabetes, and liver disease.
-In Malaysia, the juice is applied to stimulate children’s appetite and to wash their tongues.
-In Papua New Guinea, an extract is used as a febrifuge.
-In Brunei, a leaf poultice is applied with coconut milk to treat smallpox.
-In Cambodia, P. urinaria is used against malaria.
-In Ghana, a decoction is employed to treat dysentery, malaria, and typhoid fever.
-In the Solomon Islands, the leaves are used to relieve pain in the chest.
-In Madagascar, stem or leaf infusions are used to treat bronchitis and asthma.
-In South America, a decoction is used for the treatment of kidney stones
-In Indonesia, it is used for jaundice, diarrhea, dysentery, dropsy, gonorrhea, menorrhea, children’s cough and appetizer, kidney trouble, syphilis, tumors, diaphoresis, etc.
-In Australia, chewed or soaked leaves are rubbed into scarifications on the forehead to relieve ‘congestion’ in the head.
Besides conventional usage, modern-day scientific investigations have now confirmed the pharmacological properties of P. urinaria. These studies suggest that P. urinaria is an effective medicinal remedy to treat and prevent a wide range of disorders.
Risks and Side effects
There is limited information about the adverse effects of Phyllanthus urinaria. This is due to a lack of research in humans — so far, nearly all the relevant studies have been in rodents or cell cultures.
A study from 2011 investigated the toxicity of Phyllanthus urinaria in rats. The researchers found no abnormalities in internal organs or other signs of toxicity. However, humans have larger, more complex bodies than rodents, of course, and it is difficult to anticipate whether the effects in rodents will resemble the effects in humans.
Before using Phyllanthus urinaria, discuss it with a doctor or healthcare provider. Supplements can cause adverse effects and interfere with ongoing treatments.
