Phyllanthus

Alternative names: Bahupatra or Bhuiamla.

History; Source

An Ayurvedic herb, Phyllanthus has been used in connection with secondary hepatitis and other pain, and in Ayurvedic medicine for over 2,000 years.

Phyllanthus is an herb common to central and southern India; it can grow to 30-60cm in height and blooms with many yellow flowers.  All parts of the plant are employed therapeutically.  Phyllanthus species are also found in other countries, including China (e.g., Phyllanthus urinaria), the Philippines, Cuba, Nigeria, and Guam.[2]

Function; Why it is Recommended

Phyllanthus primarily contains lignans (e.g. phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin), alkaloids, and bioflavonoids (e.g. quercetin).  While it remains unknown as to which of these ingredients has an antiviral effect, research shows this herb acts primarily on the liver.  This action in the liver confirms its historical use as a remedy for jaundice.

Phyllanthus blocks DNA polymerase, the enzyme needed for the hepatitis B virus to reproduce.  In one study, 59% of those infected with chronic viral hepatitis B lost one of the major blood markers of HBV infection (e.g. hepatitis B surface antigen) after using phyllanthus for 30 days.[3] While clinical studies on the outcome of phyllanthus and HBV have been mixed, the species P. urinaria and P. niruri seem to work better than P. amarus.[4]

Phyllanthus has a wide number of traditional uses: employing the whole plant for jaundice, gonorrhea, frequent menstruation, and diabetes and using it topically as a poultice for skin ulcers, sores, swelling, and itchiness.

The young shoots of the plant are administered in the form of an infusion for the treatment of chronic dysentery.[1]

Instructions

Research has utilized the powdered form of phyllanthus in amounts ranging from 900-2,700mg per day for three months.[5]

Side-Effects

No side-effects have been reported using phyllanthus as recommended, and there are currently no well-known drug interactions with phyllanthus.

References & Further Information

[1] Nadkarmi KM.  India Materia Medica, vol 1. Bombay: Popular Prakashan Private Ltd., 1993, pp.947-8
[2] Bharatiya VB.  Selected Medicinal Plants of India.  Bombay: Tata Press, 1992, pp.235-7
[3] Thyagarajan SP, Subramanian S, Thirunalasundar T, et al.  Effect of Phyllanthus amarus on chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus.  Lancet 1988: ii: pp.764-6
[4] Meixa W, Haowei C, Yanjin L, et al.  Herbs of the genus Phyllanthus in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B: observation with three preparations from different geographic sites.  J Lab Clin Med 1995;126: pp.350-2
[5] Reichert R. Phytotherapeutic alternatives for chronic hepatitis.  Quart Rev Natural Med 1997;Summer: pp.103-8