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Bhumiamla / Phyllanthus niruri
 
Parts
used:
All parts.
Historical aspects:
Charaka mentions the plant. In ayurveda the expressed juice of
the fresh plant is given for a sluggish liver and also for
chronic liver diseases. It is commonly and widely used for
dysentery and intestinal colic.
Phyllanthus niruri, also called "stonebreaker" due to its
strong roots, is native to South America. The plant is dried
into an extract that acts as a diuretic and an astringent
Habitat:
Common in central and southern India extending to Sri Lanka.
Botanical description:
Phyllanthus niruri is an annual, herb; height varies
between 30–60 cm. Stem is angular with numerous distichous,
elliptic-oblong leaves. Flowers are yellow and very numerous;
monoecious with 1–3 staminate flowers and solitary pistillate
flower borne axillary. Fruits capsule, very small, globose,
smooth, seeds 3-gonous, longitudinally ribbed on the back. Seed
to seed cycle occurs in two or four weeks. The flowering time in
Indian conditions is July to August.
Healing Options:
Phyllanthus has been used in Ayurvedic medicine
for over 2,000 years and has a wide number of traditional uses.
This includes 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
Liver Disorders/ Jaundice :
The herb stimulates the
liver and is useful in liver and spleen disorders. It can be
used in jaundice and enlargement of liver. The leaf should be
administered with black salt and ginger every morning for 10
days in the treatment of such disorders.
Loss of
Appetite:
Its root, leaves, fruits, milky juice
is very useful in Loss of appetite . It is a major component of many popular
liver tonics which increase Appetite & locally to relieve inflammations.
Oedema:
The plant is also used as a diuretic in
oedema. Powdered leaves & roots - pulverized & made into poultice with
rice-water useful in oedematous swelling and ulcers.
Ayurvedic supplements made from
Bhumiamla:
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