Chanca piedra benefits and contraindications and side effects The stonebreaker or stonebreaker plant, whose scientific name is Phyllanthus niruri, grows wild in Peru and very abundantly in tropical areas of America.
This plant has a long history as a natural remedy not only to expel kidney stones, but also for other conditions including colic, malaria, dysentery, fever, flu, tumors, jaundice, vaginitis, gonorrhea, and dyspepsia.
The chanca piedra has one of the varieties of substances such as tannins, saponins, flavonoids and glycosides. These chemical compounds give adaptogens their health benefits. This plant is exceptionally synergistic in the way that it acts as an adaptogen, making it extremely powerful. The GInseng, the most famous adaptogen, contains 28 types of saponins, while chanca piedra has 168 different active compounds. That’s 6 times more. A recent study shows its potential to be a beneficial immunomodulator in Hanson’s disease.
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Stonebreaker Benefits
Modern science has been able to verify the effectiveness of stonebreaker especially for kidney stones by:
Reduce the binding of crystals (those stone-forming substances in the urine)
Reduce the substances that produce those crystals in the first place (such as calcium oxalate)
Modify the structure of the renal calculus
Interfere with the kidney stone while it is forming
Relax the ureter (for an easier and less painful passage)
Another study looked at 100 patients with current kidney stones who were given stone breakers. The success rate was 94% and no patient had any negative side effects from the herb.
In addition, the stonebreaker also works as a mild diureticwhich is known to help in the process of passing a stone.
This same «stone-breaking» quality also helps with gallstones. In fact, the stonebreaker also has the ability to reduce the bad cholesterol (a cause of these stones).
Likewise, the stonebreaker is also a great protector of the liver. A 2006 study showed that Chanca Piedra “protected liver tissues against oxidative stress”
Another TCM study showed that the use of stonebreaker (along with other traditional herbs) could be successful as a treatment for chronic liver diseases.
Stonebreaker has also been shown to increase bile secretion from the liver. Although it may seem unpleasant, it is actually very important for your digestion, elimination and absorption of nutrients.
Not only will stonebreaker help improve the specific conditions above, it has also been shown to be a great overall boost to the body. This includes being antibacterial and antiviral.
A study wanted to find out the antiviral compounds of natural herbs, especially against the virus Herpes simplex type 1. Of all the plant species they studied, only three were mentioned as “the most interesting”, one being the stonebreaker.
Other research considered stonebreaker specifically as a «biologically active» plant. They discovered that it has excellent power antioxidant and antibacterial activity.
Of course, stonebreaker has been used in this way for centuries in natural and traditional medicine. But it’s good to see science confirming what was already known.
Now we have looked at some of the ways that stonebreaker can improve your health. Each of these uses has a lot of science to back it up. But that does not mean that they are the only ways in which this plant can be beneficial. It has been prescribed for many uses beyond what our modern science has examined.
We want to share a long list of ways that this plant has been known to help the body. Of course, you should always do your own research and check with your doctor/naturopath before starting a new supplement.
But at least you’ll know how much help this herb has given people over time:
Reduces spasms
Decreases inflammation
works like a mild laxative
Could lower blood pressure
Helps expel worms (antiparasitic)
Helps relieve pain
Could help with Hepatitis B
Stops cells from mutating
help the bronchitis
Manage urinary tract infections
increases appetite
Helps a stomach ache
Improves indigestion
Help with intestinal infections
Help with the asthma
decreases dizziness
Let’s see, below, the contraindications of chanca piedra and side effects.
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Contraindications and side effects
Contraindications of chanca piedra #1 Pregnancy and lactation: Chanca piedra is possibly unsafe when taken by mouth by pregnant women or those trying to become pregnant. Chanca piedra in large amounts can block pregnancy, increase the risk of low birth weight, or increase the risk of birth defects.
There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking chanca piedra if you are breastfeeding. Stay safe and avoid using it.
Contraindications of chanca piedra #2 Bleeding disorder: chanca piedra can slow blood clotting. There is concern that taking chanca piedra may cause bleeding in people with bleeding disorders.
Contraindications of chanca piedra #3 Diabetes: Chanca piedra can affect blood sugar levels. Watch for signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and monitor your blood sugar carefully if you have diabetes and use chanca piedra.
Contraindications of chanca piedra #4 Surgery: Chanca piedra can lower blood sugar levels. There is some concern that it may interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Chanca piedra can also slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Stop using this plant at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Contraindications of chanca piedra #5 Do not take chancapiedra in conjunction with medications with lithium, since it can decrease its absorption by the body. Lithium is given to people with mental disorders such as mania, bipolarism (manic-depressive disorder; a disease that causes episodes of depression, episodes of mania, and other abnormal mood states).
There are some side effects of chanca piedra, particularly if taken in excess, such as the following:
- Worsening of bleeding disorders
- Increased risk of diabetes
If you plan to have surgery, avoid using this supplement. Also, if you are pregnant or nursing, it is not recommended that you use this herb.
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