Chanca Piedra

We evaluated 21 human studies on Chanca piedra, including 9 randomised controlled trials and 3 meta-analyses or systematic reviews; the controlled studies include 767 participants in total. As of 3 October 2026.

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1. What Is Chanca Piedra? Occurrence, Origin and Forms

Chanca piedra (Phyllanthus niruri), also called stonebreaker, is a small herb of the leafflower family (Phyllanthaceae). In the folk medicine of South and Central America it is traditionally used for kidney stones and gallstones; hence the Spanish name ('stone breaker') and the Portuguese name quebra-pedra.

The plant grows in tropical regions of the Americas, Africa and Asia, often as a weed on roadsides and fields. The whole herb is used.

Products include dried herb for tea, powder, capsules and extracts.

Forms and Preparations Studied

• Tea made from the dried herb
• Powder and capsules
• Extracts
• Combination products with chanca piedra – the other ingredients are named in each case

Not covered on this page:

• Other Phyllanthus species such as Phyllanthus amarus and Phyllanthus urinaria, and amla (Phyllanthus emblica)

2. What Does Chanca Piedra Do? Results by Area

How to read the table: counted are human studies whose results concern the area. “High” means at least one meta-analysis and two controlled studies showing improvement, or at least three controlled studies of which three quarters show improvement, with at least 300 participants in total. “Moderate” means at least two controlled studies showing improvement, as a majority, or one meta-analysis alongside controlled studies. “Low” means one controlled study showing improvement. Where an area has no controlled study, the strength of evidence is at most “low” (result “reviews only” or “observational data only”). Everything else is “unclear”. A study counts as showing improvement when at least half of its outcomes in this area improved. Reviews of combination products do not count as meta-analyses; results that only describe side effects or shares of users do not count as an effect. The same study is counted only once.

3. What the Studies Show in Detail

Chanca Piedra, Kidney Stones and Urinary Tract: Human Studies

For kidney stones and urinary tract complaints, Chanca Piedra (stonebreaker) shows a mixed picture. A randomized controlled trial with the Phyllanthus niruri extract Uriston found a higher stone-free rate for lower caliceal stones after shock wave therapy, while the overall stone-free rate and the need for repeat ESWL treatment did not differ 5. A meta-analysis reports a reduction in stone size and stone number 3, and a systematic review describes improvements in urinary risk factors and stone formation 2. In contrast, a randomized controlled trial with capsules found no difference from placebo in stone passage or pain relief 9. Only in the subgroup with hypercalciuria did urinary calcium decrease compared with baseline; the summary does not mention a comparison with placebo for this 9. The evidence is moderate; the controlled studies investigated extracts and capsules, while tea, powder, and combination preparations were mainly tested in uncontrolled studies. It remains open whether the partly positive findings on stone-free rate and stone passage can be confirmed in larger, blinded studies with uniform outcome measures.

Further studies in this area: 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

Chanca Piedra, Liver and Gallbladder: Human Studies

For liver and gallbladder, four controlled studies investigated Chanca Piedra as an extract in people with liver diseases. One randomized controlled study found an improvement in the fibrosis score in adults with mild to moderate NAFLD, while liver fat and liver enzyme levels did not differ 12. In chronic hepatitis B, a randomized controlled study found no difference from placebo in viral load 10. In alcoholic hepatitis, liver function values did not improve more than with placebo 8. A mixed preparation of Chanca Piedra and milk thistle (Silybum marianum) lowered ALT compared with baseline, without a confirmed difference from placebo 6. The evidence is low because only one study found an advantage over placebo; controlled data on tea or powder are lacking.

Chanca Piedra and Infections: Human Studies

A randomized controlled study in 186 patients with acute tonsillopharyngitis found that a mixed preparation of Nigella sativa and Chanca Piedra (stonebreaker) relieved swallowing difficulties, reduced the need for paracetamol, and more often led to complete freedom from pain 4. The evidence is low because only one controlled study is available and it tested a mixed preparation. The result therefore does not apply to Chanca Piedra alone; there are no data on tea, powder, or pure extract for infections.

Chanca Piedra, Blood Sugar and Metabolism: Human Studies

For blood sugar and metabolism, the evidence is low. One study without a control group found no change in body measurements and blood values in people with kidney stones taking tea from the herb 15. A review suggests a blood-sugar-lowering effect of Chanca Piedra extracts 17. Controlled studies on blood sugar and metabolism with Chanca Piedra are lacking.

Chanca Piedra: Further Outcomes in Studies

In alcoholic hepatitis, an extract increased antioxidants in the blood and appetite more than placebo 8. In healthy men, tea from the herb increased gallic acid and ascorbic acid in the blood 11. A mixed preparation with Sida cordifolia relieved diabetic nerve pain more than placebo 7. These are contrasted by findings with no difference: a systematic review of extracts saw no change in serum electrolytes and liver function 1, a randomized controlled study with extract no change in kidney function parameters in chronic hepatitis B infection 10, and the tea study no change in antioxidant enzymes 11. The evidence is low; the studies are small, and transferability to other forms and populations is open.

4. How Is Chanca Piedra Dosed? Preparation, Dose and Duration in Studies

The controlled studies mainly tested extracts, including the Phyllanthus niruri extract Uriston and standardized extracts, as well as capsules 5912. A tea made from the dried herb was studied in a small randomized controlled trial in healthy men 11. Three studies tested combination preparations of Chanca Piedra with Nigella sativa, milk thistle (Silybum marianum), or Sida cordifolia 467.

5. Is Chanca Piedra Safe? Side Effects in Studies

The studies mainly report good tolerability without serious adverse events 151012. Combination preparations with Nigella sativa or milk thistle (Silybum marianum) were also described as safe and well tolerated 46. In a cohort study with boldine, Chanca Piedra, Ononis spinosa, and tamsulosin, side effects such as headache, dizziness, and nausea were comparable in both groups 13. A review notes that side effects of the products are often unknown 19.

6. What Remains Open: Limits of the Evidence

• The controlled studies on kidney stones investigated extracts and capsules; tea, powder, and combination preparations were mainly not tested in controlled settings.
• For liver diseases, only one study found an advantage over placebo, and controlled data on tea or powder are lacking.
• The positive findings for pharyngitis and diabetic nerve pain come from studies with combination preparations and cannot be attributed to Chanca Piedra alone.
• It remains open whether the partly positive findings on stone-free rate and stone passage can be confirmed in larger, blinded studies with uniform outcome measures.
• The transferability of the results to other forms, dosages, and populations is unclear.

7. Bottom Line: What Is Established About Chanca Piedra

Chanca Piedra (stonebreaker, Phyllanthus niruri) is traditionally used for kidney and gallstones. Human studies show a mixed picture: for kidney stones, there is evidence of a higher stone-free rate for lower caliceal stones after shock wave therapy with the extract Uriston 5, while another randomized controlled trial with capsules found no difference in stone passage or pain relief 9. A meta-analysis and systematic review report reduced stone size and stone number as well as improved urinary risk factors 23. In NAFLD, a randomized controlled trial showed improvement in the fibrosis score compared with placebo, but not in liver fat and liver enzymes 12; in hepatitis B and alcoholic hepatitis, viral load and liver values, respectively, showed no advantage 810. A combination preparation of Nigella sativa and Chanca Piedra relieved swallowing difficulties in acute tonsillopharyngitis more than placebo 4. Overall, the evidence is low to moderate, the studies are partly small and short, and many positive findings come from combination preparations.