Phyllanthus amarus Health Dictionary

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Phyllanthus Amarus: From 1 Different Sources

Schum. & Thonn. Phyllanthus fraternus Webster.

Family: Euphorbiaceae.

Habitat: Throughout the hotter parts of India, particularly on cultivated land, up to 1,000 m.

Ayurvedic: Bhuumyaamalaki, Bahu- patri, Bhuudhaatri, Bahuphalaa, Taamalaki.

Unani: Bhui Aaamalaa.

Siddha/Tamil: Keelkaay Nelli.

Action: Plant—diuretic, deobstru- ent, astringent, anti-inflammatory, styptic. Used as a single drug in the treatment of jaundice. Used in prescriptions for dyspepsia, indigestion, chronic dysentery, urinary tract diseases, diabetes, skin eruptions.

The leaves yielded lignans—phyl- lanthin (bitter), hypophyllanthin (nonbitter); niranthin, nirtetralin and phyl- tetralin. The whole plant gave a number of flavonoids, including quercetin, quercitrin, astragalin, rutin, kaempfer- ol. Isolation of a hydrolysable tannins, amarulone, is reported from the plant.

The plant is reported to show antiviral activity against hepatitis B virus and related hepadna virus. It was also found to effectively repair CCl4-induced liver damage in rats.

The herb exhibited hypotensive and hypoglycaemic activity. (Indian J Exp Biol 1995, 33 (11) 861-864.)

Phyllanthus fraternus Webster: The ethanolic extract of the plant exhibited hepatotoxic-protective activity in albino rats pretreated with CCl-4, The petroleum extract is reported to possess analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. The flavonoids, isolated from the ethanolic extract of the plant, exhibit hypoglycaemic activity in alloxan-treated albino rats. The ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the plant exhibit antibacterial and antifun- gal activity.

Dosage: Root, stem, leaf—3-6. powder. (API, Vol. I and III.)
Health Source: Indian Medicinal Plants
Author: Health Dictionary

Phyllanthus Distichus

Muell.-Arg.

Synonym: P. acidus Skeels. Cicca acida (Linn.) Merrill.

Family: Euphorbiaceae.

Habitat: Indian gardens.

English: Country Gooseberry.

Ayurvedic: Lavali-phala, Lowani Hariphala.

Siddha/Tamil: Aranelli.

Action: Fruit—astringent, tonic to liver; improves appetite, useful in biliousness, constipation, vomiting, bronchitis. Roots and seed— cathartic. The juice of the root bark produces headache and severe abdominal pain.

The root bark contains 18% tannin, saponin, gallic acid and a crystalline substance (probably lupeol). The bark contains beta-amyrin and phyllanthol.

The fruit is sour; contains acidity (as acetic acid) 1.70%.... phyllanthus distichus

Phyllanthus Maderaspatensis

Linn.

Family: Euphorbiaceae.

Habitat: Throughout drier parts of India.

Unani: Kanochaa, Isfahaan Marv.

Siddha/Tamil: Mela-nelli.

Action: Leaves—an infusion is used in headache. Seeds—carminative, diuretic.

Whole plant revealed antispasmod- ic action in isolated guinea-pig ileum, CNS depressant and hypothermic effects in mice.... phyllanthus maderaspatensis

Phyllanthus Niruri

Linn.

Family: Euphorbiaceae.

Habitat: Native to America.

English: Chanca Piedra.

Ayurvedic: Bhuumyaamalaki, assigned to P. niruri, has now been equated with P.fraternus.

Action: Antispasmodic, antipyretic, diuretic, antiviral, bactericidal.

Taking Chanca Piedra orally does not seem to be effective for treating hepatitis B. The herb contains niuride, which inhibits specific HIV-protein binding activity, but does not protect cells from acute HIV infection. (Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2007.)... phyllanthus niruri

Phyllanthus Simplex

Retz.

Synonym: P. virgatus J. R. et G. Forst.

Family: Euphorbiaceae.

Habitat: Throughout India.

Ayurvedic: Bhumyaamalaki (var.).

Folk: Mothi-bhuiaamvali (Maharashtra).

Plant—antiseptic. Fresh leaves, bruised in butter milk, are used as a wash for itch. Fresh leaves, flowers and fruits with cumin seeds and sugar, are used in gonorrhoea. Root—applied to mammary abscesses. Fruits contain oxalic acid.... phyllanthus simplex

Phyllanthus Urinaria

Linn.

Family: Euphorbiaceae.

Habitat: Throughout the plains of India from Punjab to Assam and Southward to Kerala up to 1,000 m.

Ayurvedic: Bhuumyaamataki (var.), Taamravalli.

Siddha/Tamil: Senkeezhnelli.

Folk: Laal-bhui-aamlaa, Hazaar- mani.

Action: See P. amarus.

The leaf and stem gave flavonoids— quercetin, astragalin, quercitrin, iso- quercitrin and rutin; Me-brevifolin- carboxylate and tri-dehydrochebulic acid.... phyllanthus urinaria

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