Healthy Habits: Chanca Piedra

Scientifically known as Phyllanthus niruri, chanca piedra is a tropical plant widely recognized for supporting kidney health. Its Spanish name, which translates to “stone breaker,” reflects its traditional use in helping break down kidney stones.

The entire plant is used medicinally, and naturally grows in tropical and subtropical regions across the world. It has been used for thousands of years in Indigenous Amazonian, Ayurvedic and South American herbal medicine.

Along with being able to dissolve kidney stones effectively, it can help relieve water retention, urinary tract infections and digestive challenges. Supplementing with this herb also supports liver health, detoxifies, promotes blood sugar balance, lowers blood pressure naturally and enhances overall wellness.

Chanca piedra’s antimicrobial properties make it helpful with reducing inflammation caused by bacterial infections. It has the ability to control inflammation biochemically, protecting the liver and kidneys and supporting a healthy immune response. Stomach ulcers and urinary tract infections, for example, can be healed with the help of this herbal ally.

In a 2018 study, two-thirds of people who drank chanca piedra tea twice daily for 12 weeks had a decrease in kidney stone size and number. This herbaceous plant may help prevent acidic kidney stones by alkalizing the urine as well. It has also been used in traditional medicine for gallstone treatment.

It can be taken in liquid tincture form, capsules, powder or in a tea (infusion). It’s recommended that you start with a very small dose and gradually increase. For example, begin with taking one drop of the concentrated tincture in 3-4 ounces of water, 2-3 times a day, and then increase over time to 10-30 drops, 2-4 times per day.

It is also best to take this herb consistently for at least 4 to 6 weeks to experience the health benefits, especially for kidney or liver support. It can be taken for up to 12 weeks.

The specific dose you take should be tailored to all important factors such as age, weight and existing health conditions. Always do your research and consult with your healthcare practitioner before trying a new herbal supplement.

Chanca piedra improves digestive health and helps reduce common digestive challenges, such as heartburn, by helping the liver to produce more bile. This is important for breaking down fats and absorbing nutrients. It protects the liver from damage as well as helping the gallbladder to release bile smoothly.

This herbal medicine provides support for overall digestion as well as enhancing urinary health. It’s rich in antioxidants including flavonoids, tannins, lignans, rutin and quercetin, some of which have mild diuretic properties, assisting the kidneys in flushing out toxins and excess minerals.

The antioxidants it contains also help protect the body’s cells from free radical damage, and support liver health by reducing oxidative stress. In addition, they assist with lowering inflammation and supporting the natural healing processes of the body.

Chanca piedra is an antispasmodic, ameliorating stomach cramps, abdominal pain and other cramping feelings in the gut or bladder by calming those internal muscles.

Due to its antiviral properties, it can be effective in treating hepatitis B and other viral infections, including liver infections. Extracts show significant antiviral activity against pathogens causing viral skin, respiratory and urinary conditions.

Its antibacterial properties also help to eliminate bacteria that cause skin, urinary tract, bladder and stomach infections, including those linked to ulcers and digestive problems. It can soothe symptoms from some types of respiratory and gut infections as well, by calming inflamed tissues and supporting the body’s natural cleansing processes.

~Be Well and God Bless You.