gale of the wind, stonebreaker, seed under leaf, Phyllanthus niruri

Phyllanthus niruri is a widespread tropical plant commonly found in coastal areas, known by the common names gale of the wind, stonebreaker or seed-under-leaf. It is a relative of the spurges, belonging to the genus Phyllanthus of the family Phyllanthaceae.
Phyllanthus niruri is a weed found in coastal areas. It’s also known as gale of the wind or stonebreaker. Its leaves and fruit are used as herbal medicine.
1. It has antioxidant properties
According to a 2014 in vitro study, an extract made from phyllanthus niruri leaves showed strong antioxidant activity. Antioxidants fight free radicals in the body that may cause cell damage and disease.
2. It has antimicrobial properties
According to a 2012 studyTrusted Source, phyllanthus niruri extract has antimicrobial abilities against H. pylori bacteria. H. pylori bacteria are common in the digestive tract and are usually harmless. But in some cases, they can lead to peptic ulcers, abdominal pain, and nausea.
Antioxidant
Antimicrobial
Anti-inflammatory
Ulcers
Blood sugar
Kidney stones
Liver health
Acute hepatitis B
Anti-cancerous
Phyllanthus niruri is a weed found in coastal areas. It’s also known as gale of the wind or stonebreaker. Its leaves and fruit are used as herbal medicine.
Phyllanthus niruri is known for protecting the liver. It may also combat kidney stones, hence the “stonebreaker” moniker. Keep reading to learn more about how this plant may improve your health.
1. It has antioxidant properties
According to a 2014 in vitro study, an extract made from phyllanthus niruri leaves showed strong antioxidant activity. Antioxidants fight free radicals in the body that may cause cell damage and disease.
2. It has antimicrobial properties
According to a 2012 studyTrusted Source, phyllanthus niruri extract has antimicrobial abilities against H. pylori bacteria. H. pylori bacteria are common in the digestive tract and are usually harmless. But in some cases, they can lead to peptic ulcers, abdominal pain, and nausea.
Researchers also found that the extract didn’t harm any beneficial strains of lactic acid bacteria.
3. It has anti-inflammatory properties
Inflammation can cause many problems throughout the body, including skin conditions like psoriasis and chronic pain. According to a 2017 animal studyTrusted Source, phyllanthus niruri may help reduce inflammation.
For the study, researchers injected carrageenan into the left hind paws of rats to cause inflammation. The rats were then treated with phyllanthus niruri extract, which was found to significantly reduce the inflammation.
4. It may help protect against ulcers
Findings from the same 2017 animal studyTrusted Source also suggest that phyllanthus niruri extract can help prevent ulcers. It’s thought to reduce gastric acid secretion and protect the stomach. It also showed potent anti-inflammatory.
Researchers also found that the extract didn’t harm any beneficial strains of lactic acid bacteria.
Phyllanthus niruri is known for protecting the liver. It may also combat kidney stones, hence the “stonebreaker” moniker. Keep reading to learn more about how this plant may improve your health.
It grows 50-70 cm (20-28 in) tall and bears ascending herbaceous branches. The bark is smooth and light green. It bears numerous pale green flowers which are often flushed with red. The fruits are tiny, smooth capsules containing seeds.
Phyllanthus niruri, also known as Bhumyamalaki, Keezhanelli (Malayalam, Tamil) has been used in Ayurveda, Siddha for problems of the stomach, genitourinary system, liver, kidney, and spleen, and to treat chronic fever.
Amazonian tribes of Brazil historically used Phyllanthus niruri to treat kidney stones and gallstones, naming it Chanca piedra, the Spanish term for stonebreaker. Phyllanthus niruri is nowadays marketed as a herbal remedy under the name Chanca piedra.Phyllanthus niruri has been investigated for its potential medicinal benefits. A 2010 review found some evidence that it might be effective at inhibiting kidney stone formation. A Cochrane review from 2011 found that there is "no convincing evidence that phyllanthus, compared with placebo, benefits patients with chronic HBV (Hepatitis B Virus) infection."
Diasperus chlorophaeus (Baill.) Kuntze
Diasperus lathyroides (Kunth) Kuntze
Diasperus microphyllus (Mart.) Kuntze
Diasperus niruri (L.) Kuntze
Diasperus rosellus (Müll.Arg.) Kuntze
Niruris annua Raf.
Niruris indica Raf.
Nymphanthus niruri (L.) Lour.
Phyllanthus carolinianus Blanco
Phyllanthus chlorophaeus Baill.
Phyllanthus ellipticus Buckley nom. illeg.
Phyllanthus erectus (Medik.) M.R.Almeida
Phyllanthus filiformis Pav. ex Baill.
Phyllanthus humilis Salisb.
Phyllanthus kirganelia Blanco
Phyllanthus lathyroides Kunth
Phyllanthus microphyllus Mart. nom. illeg.
Phyllanthus mimosoides Lodd. nom. illeg.
Phyllanthus moeroris Oken
Phyllanthus parvifolius Steud.
Phyllanthus purpurascens Kunth
Phyllanthus rosellus (Müll.Arg.) Müll.Arg.
Phyllanthus williamsii Standl.
Urinaria erecta Medik.