This species has often been confused with the closely related Phyllanthus amarus Schum. & Thonn., in the past, and it is quite probable that the uses for each species are more or less interchangeable[, ].

Common Name:

General Information

Phyllanthus niruri is an erect, annual plant, often branched from the base, growing 15 - 50cm tall.
The plant is commonly harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine, and is also the source of a dye

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

S. America - Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay, north to the Caribbean and through Central America to Mexico and Texas.

Habitat

Open sites in lower montane evergreen forest areas, at elevations of 1,000 - 2,500 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.30 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most soils in a position in full sun or partial shade[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is often used medicinally in India, where the root, leaves, fruits, milky juice, and whole plants can be used. It is considered to be acrid, cooling, diuretic and alexipharmic. It is considered to be useful in the treatment of thirst, bronchitis, leprosy, anaemia, urinary discharge, anuria, biliousness, asthma, hiccups[]. The plant is used to treat syphilitic blennorrhoea[].

The root is diuretic[]. It is used to remove bladder stones, and is a remedy for jaundice[, ]. An infusion of the
tender fresh roots is valuable in the treatment of chronic dysentery[, ].

An infusion of the leaves is used as a treatment for dysentery[]. The herb is stomachic and useful in the treatment of sores and chronic dysentery[].
A poultice of the leaves, combined with salt, is used to treat scabby affection, used without salt it is applied on bruises and wounds[].

An infusion of the root and leaves is a good tonic and diuretic when taken cold in repeated doses[].

The milky juice is a good application to treat offensive sores[].

The fruits are useful in the treatment of tubercular ulcers, wounds, sores, scabies and ring worm[].

The seeds are cholagogue and febrifuge[]. An infusion is given to a woman after giving birth[]..

The plant contains the alkaloid norsecurinine, numerous lignans and leucodelphinidine alkaloids, and antihepatoxic principles[].
The bark and leaves yield a bitter principle, phyllanthin[].

Other Uses

A decoction of the leaves and stem is used for dyeing cotton black[].

Propagation

Seed -

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: a square has how many sides?