Bhumyamalaki
Phyllanthus niruri
Photo credit: archivo fotográfico "CIENCIA20"
Safety information
Safety information
Toxicity: Low in studied doses; generally well tolerated. May lower blood glucose and blood pressure.
Contraindications: Pregnancy (insufficient safety data; traditional emmenagogue reputation — caution); diabetics on hypoglycemics; before surgery (BP/glucose effects).
Interactions: Antidiabetics (additive hypoglycemia), antihypertensives, lithium (diuretic-type effect); theoretical additive with antivirals/immunomodulators.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Pregnancy: insufficient safety data; traditional emmenagogue reputation in some sources — caution.
Evidence level
Supported by clinical trials in humans.
Preparations
fresh juice (swarasa) · whole plant
Part used: whole plant
powder (churna) · whole plant
Part used: whole plant
standardized extract · whole plant
Part used: whole plant
tinctures, capsules, supplements · whole herb
Part used: whole herb
decoction (kwath) · whole plant
Part used: whole plant
Traditional use: liver/jaundice/hepatitis, urinary calculi, bitter cooling tonic
Proposed mechanism: lignans (phyllanthin, hypophyllanthin), ellagitannins and flavonoids — antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-HBV, antilithic
Dosage note (descriptive only): Traditionally fresh-plant juice or gram-scale powder/decoction; clinical-grade dosing not standardized
aqueous infusion/decoction · whole herb
Part used: whole herb
Traditional use: dissolve/prevent kidney and gallstones (urolithiasis); diuretic; liver support and antiviral against hepatitis B; antidiabetic, antihypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antihyperuricemic
Proposed mechanism: lignans (phyllanthin, hypophyllanthin), flavonoids, ellagic acid, tannins — inhibition of calcium-oxalate crystallization; anti-HBV
Associated conditions
Nutritional notes
Not a food source; value is in lignan/tannin phytochemistry.
Healing traditions
Sources (5)
- Pratima 2025, J Pharm Pharmacol (PMID 38642916)
- Di Mauro 2024, Medicina (PMID 39336496)
- Phyllanthus niruri metabolic parameters in kidney stone, Int Braz J Urol, 2018 (PMC6092661)
- Acute toxicity studies of Phyllanthus niruri, PMC3274729, 2011
- Asare 2025, Open Res Eur (PMID 41216486)