Phyllanthus niruri - bhu amalaki / boo amalaki
The annual herb Phyllanthus niruri is best known by the common names Stonebreaker(Eng.), Chanca Piedra(Sp.) and Quebra Pedra(Port.), Seed-Under-Leaf(Eng.) but has many other common names in assorted languages, including dukong anak, dukong-dukong anak, amin buah, rami buah, turi hutan, bhuiaonla, Meniran (Indonesia), കീഴാനെല്ലി (Malayalam) and கீழாநெல்லி / Keela Nelli (Tamil).The herb is known as Nela Nelli in Kannada and "Nela Usiri" in Telugu. It is a widespread tropical plant commonly found in coastal areas. It is a relative of the spurges, belonging to the leafflower genus of Family Phyllanthaceae.
It grows 50 to 70 centimeters 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.
Medicinal uses
Some of the medicinal properties suggested by preclinical trials are anti-hepatotoxicity, anti-lithic, anti-hypertensive, anti-HIV and anti-hepatitis B. However, human trials do not show efficacy against hepatitis B virus.
P. amarus is an important plant of Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine which is used for stomach problems,and for the genitourinary system, liver, kidney and spleen.[5]The plant has long been used in Brazil and Peru as a supposed herbal remedy for kidney stones. Research among sufferers of kidney stones has shown that, while intake of Phyllanthus niruri didn't lead to a significant difference in either stone voiding or pain levels, it may reduce urinary calcium, a contributing factor to stone growth. One study conducted on rats showed that an aqueous solution of Phyllanthus niruri may inhibit kidney stone growth and formation in animals who already have stones.
Ref: http://www.indianmedicinalplants.info/plants/
Ref:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phyllanthus_niruri
