Chanca piedra, which means "stone breaker" in Spanish, is a small herb. Both Phyllanthus niruri and P. amarus have been called chanca piedra.
Chanca piedra has traditionally been used for kidney stones. It's thought that chanca piedra contains chemicals that might relieve spasms and increase urine. It is also thought to have activity against bacteria and viruses.
People use chanca piedra for kidney stones. It is also used for hepatitis B, stomach pain, asthma, diabetes, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.
Is It Effective?
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
- Kidney stones. Taking chanca piedra by mouth seems to help clear some kidney stones. But it is unclear which people are most likely to benefit from chanca piedra.
- Swelling (inflammation) of the liver caused by the hepatitis B virus (hepatitis B). Taking chanca piedra by mouth does not improve hepatitis B symptoms.
There is interest in using chanca piedra for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Is it Safe?
When taken by mouth: Chanca piedra is possibly safe when used for up to 3 months. Side effects might include stomach pain and nausea.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if chanca piedra is safe or what the side effects might be.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy: Chanca piedra is possibly unsafe when used during pregnancy or by those trying to become pregnant. Taking chanca piedra, especially in high doses, might block pregnancy, increase the risk of low birth weight, or increase the risk of birth defects.
Breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if chanca piedra is safe to use while breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Bleeding disorder: Chanca piedra might slow blood clotting. Taking chanca piedra might cause bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.
Surgery: Chanca piedra might lower blood sugar levels. This might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Chanca piedra might also slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Stop using chanca piedra at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Lithium
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Taking chanca piedra might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and result in serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium. Your lithium dose might need to be changed.
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Chanca piedra might lower blood sugar levels. Taking chanca piedra along with diabetes medications might cause blood sugar to drop too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Chanca piedra might lower blood pressure. Taking chanca piedra along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Chanca piedra might slow blood clotting. Taking chanca Piedra along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Norepinephrine (Levophed)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Chanca piedra contains a chemical that might reduce the effects of norepinephrine. This might increase the risk of blood pressure becoming too low.
Water pills (Diuretic drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
There is some concern that chanca piedra might cause the body to lose water. Taking chanca piedra along with other "water pills" might cause the body to lose too much water.
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood pressure: Chanca piedra might lower blood pressure. Taking it with other supplements that have the same effect might cause blood pressure to drop too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include andrographis, casein peptides, L-arginine, niacin, and stinging nettle.
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood sugar: Chanca piedra might lower blood sugar. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might lower blood sugar too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include aloe, bitter melon, cassia cinnamon, chromium, and prickly pear cactus.
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: Chanca piedra might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements that contain caffeine include black tea, coffee, green tea, guarana, and yerba mate.
There are no known interactions with foods.
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of chanca piedra might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
Amli, Arranca-Pedras, Bhonya, Bhoomi Amalaki, Bhui-Amla, Bhumi Amla, Bhuianvalah, Bhuimy Amali, Bhuin Amla, Bhumy Amalaki, Bhumyamalaki, Brise Pierre, Cane Peas Senna, Cane Senna, Carry-Me-Seed, Casse-Pierre, Chancapiedra, Chanca-Piedra Blanca, Chance Pierre, Child Pick-a-Back, Creole Senna, Daun Marisan, Derriere-Dos, Des Dos, Deye Do, Dukong Anak, Dukunganak, Elrageig, Elrigeg, Erva-Pombinha, Evatbimi, Feuilles la Fièvre, Gale-Wind Grass, Graine En Bas Fièvre, Graine-En-Bas-Feuille, Hurricane Weed, Jar-Amla, Jar Amla, Kizha Nelli, Malva-Pedra, Mapatan, Mekatkata, Memeniran, Meniran, Niruri, Nymphanthus niruri, Para-Parai Mi, Paraparai Mi, Pei, Phyllanto, Phyllanthus amarus, Phyllanthus carolinianus, Phyllanthus fraternus, Phyllanthus kirganella, Phyllanthus lathyroides, Phyllanthus lonphali, Phyllanthus niruri, Phyllanthus sellowianus, Pierre de Chanca, Pitirishi, Pombinha, Punarnava, Quebra Pedra, Quebrapedra, Quinina Criolla, Quinine Creole, Quinine Weed, Rami Buah, Sacha Foster, Sasha Foster, Seed on the Leaf, Semence dans la Feuille, Shka-Nin-Du, Shatter Stone, Stone Breaker, Stone-Breaker, Stonebreaker, Tamalaka, Turi Hutan, Viernes Santo, Ya-Taibai, Yaa Tai Bai, Yah-Tai-Bai, Yerba de San Pablo, Zhu Zi Cao.
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