Phyllanthus niruri
Medicinal herbs
Phyllanthus niruri, commonly known as "Stonebreaker" or "Gale of the Wind," is a versatile medicinal herb prized in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Renowned for its potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it is widely used to support liver health, assist in kidney stone prevention, and promote overall metabolic wellness.
- Scientific name: Phyllanthus niruri
- Family: Phyllanthaceae
- Native range: Northern America
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is further categorized under the order Malpighiales and the family Phyllanthaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Phyllanthus.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Malpighiales | WCVP |
| Family | Phyllanthaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Phyllanthus | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Phyllanthus niruri, is recognized by various traditional names across different languages and regions. In Malayalam, it is called കീഴാർനെല്ലി, while in Gujarati, it is referred to as ભોંઆમલી. In Kinyarwanda, the plant is known as Uruheza, and in Telugu, it goes by the name నేల ఉసిరి. Additionally, in Tamil, it is commonly called கீழாநெல்லி.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| ml | കീഴാർനെല്ലി | Wikidata |
| gu | ભોંઆમલી | Wikidata |
| rw | Uruheza | Wikidata |
| te | నేల ఉసిరి | Wikidata |
| ta | கீழாநெல்லி | Wikidata |
| th | ลูกใต้ใบ | Wikidata |
| ms | Dukung anak | Wikidata |
| hi | भुंई आमला | Wikidata |
| zh | 珠子草 | Wikidata |
| pt | Quebra-pedra | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a widespread distribution across several key regions in North America. In the United States, its presence is specifically noted within the state of Texas in the South-Central region. Moving into Mexico, it can be found throughout the diverse landscapes of Mexico Central. The species also extends into the coastal and inland areas of Mexico Gulf. Finally, its range reaches the varied terrains of Mexico Northwest, completing its regional footprint.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| South-Central U.S.A. | Texas | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Central | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northeast | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Gulf | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Northwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southwest | WCVP |
| Mexico | Mexico Southeast | WCVP |
| Central America | Belize | WCVP |
| Central America | Costa Rica | WCVP |
| Central America | Honduras | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Phyllanthus niruri, is a versatile herb where nearly every component offers therapeutic value. While the whole plant is frequently utilized in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, specific focus is often placed on the leaves due to their potent bioactive compounds. A single leaf can contain significant concentrations of lignans and flavonoids, making the whole plants highly effective when prepared as a decoction or a standardized medicinal plant extract for pharmacological use.- Total parts
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 17
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| whole plant | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| leaves | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| whole plants | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| medicinal plant extract | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf extract | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| intact plant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| herbs | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aerial parts | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Phyllanthus niruri has 69 reported phytochemicals identified across 88 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, gallic acid, ellagic acid, hypophyllanthin, lignans.
- Total chemicals
- 69
- Scientific sources
- 88
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| gallic acid | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| ellagic acid | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| hypophyllanthin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| lignans | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| phyllanthin | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| coumarins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ellagitannins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| quercetin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Phyllanthus niruri has 14 reported activities identified across 29 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Hepatoprotective, Antiviral, Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 14
- Scientific sources
- 29
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Hepatoprotective | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Anticancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Immunostimulant | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antifungal | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihepatotoxic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Phyllanthus niruri has 54 reported medicinal uses identified across 70 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include kidney stones, malaria, Helicobacter pylori, Plasmodium falciparum, chronic hepatitis B.
- Total uses
- 54
- Scientific sources
- 70
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| kidney stones | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| malaria | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Helicobacter pylori | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Plasmodium falciparum | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| chronic hepatitis B | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| jaundice | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| obesity | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ovarian cancer | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |