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Chanca piedra

Chanca Piedra is a plant that is used to make medicine.

ChancaPiedra is used for various disorders of the urinary tract including infections, pain and inflammatory swellings, kidney stones and discharge from the urethra or vagina. Chanca Piedra is also used for disorders of the digestive tract including flatulence, loss of appetite, stomach pain, intestinal infections, constipation and dysentery.

Some people use Chanca Piedra as a liver tonic and for liver problems including hepatitis B. Other uses include the treatment of diabetes, gallstones, colic, influenza, jaundice, abdominal tumors, rectal pain, fever, sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis and gonorrhea, malaria, tumors, caterpillar bites, coughs, water retention, itching, miscarriages, tremors, typhoid, anemia, asthma, bronchitis, thirst, tuberculosis and dizziness.

How does Chanca Piedra work?

Chanca piedra is believed to contain chemicals that can relieve spasms and cramps, reduce fever and increase urine flow, as well as having activity against bacteria and viruses. Chanca Piedra may also lower blood sugar levels.

How effective is Chanca Piedra?

ChancaPiedra may be effective in the treatment of hepatitis B.

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement regarding the effectiveness of Chanca Piedra for the treatment of infections, pain and inflammation of the urinary tract, kidney stones, flatulence, diabetes, gallstones, colic, stomach pain, stomach upset, intestinal infections, constipation, dysentery, influenza, jaundice, abdominal tumors, fever, pain, syphilis, gonorrhea, malaria, tumors, caterpillar bites, coughs, swelling, itching, miscarriages, pain and swelling in the rectum, tremors, typhoid, vaginal infections, anemia, asthma, bronchitis, tuberculosis and dizziness, as well as for use as a liver tonic, to increase urine flow and as a blood purifier. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of Chanca Piedra in these applications.

Safety and side effects

There is not enough information to say whether Chanca Piedra is safe and harmless or what side effects it may have.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Not enough is known about the use of Chanca Piedra during pregnancy and breastfeeding. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised to avoid Chanca Piedra.

Surgeries: Because Chanca Piedra may affect blood sugar levels, there are concerns that it may interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. For this reason, you should stop taking Chanca Piedra at least 2 weeks before planned operations.

Interactions

Care should be taken when using Chanca Piedra in combination with the following medications:

Lithium

ChancaPiedra may have a dehydrating (diuretic) effect. Taking Chanca Piedra may interfere with the body's excretion of lithium, which could result in increased lithium levels and serious side effects. For this reason, it is important to consult your doctor before using Chanca Piedra if you are taking lithium. The lithium dosage may need to be adjusted.

Diabetes medication

ChancaPiedra may lower blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar levels. Taking Chanca Piedra in combination with diabetes medication could result in an excessive drop in blood sugar levels. For this reason, blood glucose levels should be carefully monitored. It is possible that the dosage of the diabetes medication may need to be adjusted.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of Chanca Piedra depends on various factors such as age, state of health and others. At this time, there is insufficient scientific data to make a statement about appropriate dosage ranges for Chanca Piedra. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References

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  5. Germplasm Resources Info. www.ars-grin.gov/npgs (Accessed November 3, 1999).
  6. Milne A, Hopkirk N, Lucas CR, et al. Failure of New Zealand hepatitis B carriers to respond to Phyllanthus amarus. N Z Med J 1994;107:243.
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  8. Raintree tropical plant database, Amazon plants. www.rain-tree.com/plants.htm (Accessed July 30, 1999).
  9. Srividya N, Periwal S. Diuretic, hypotensive and hypoglycaemic effect of Phyllanthus amarus. Indian J Exp Biol 1995; 33:861-4.
  10. Wang M, Cheng H, Li Y, et al. Herbs of the genus Phyllanthus in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B: observations with three preparations from different geographic sites. J Lab Clin Med 1995;126:350-2.