Chanca Piedra

1. What Is Chanca Piedra?

Chanca Piedra is a small herb with the scientific name Phyllanthus niruri. The plant belongs to the Phyllanthus family and is related to the spurge family. In the folk medicine of South and Central America, it has long been used for kidney and gallbladder stones. Hence the names Chanca Piedra and Quebra-pedra, both meaning stonebreaker.

2. Where Is It Found, and What Is It Made From?

Chanca Piedra grows in tropical regions of America, Africa, and Asia. It is often found as a wild herb along roadsides and in fields. The whole herb is used. Commercially, dried herb for tea is available, as well as powder, capsules, and extracts. Mixed preparations with Chanca Piedra are also available.

3. What Does Chanca Piedra Do? What Research Shows

Kidney Stones and Urinary Tract

For kidney stones and urinary tract complaints, the picture is mixed. One study with an extract found a higher rate of stone freedom for certain kidney stones after shock wave therapy 5. A summary of several studies reports smaller stones and fewer stones 3. Another review describes improvements in urinary values and stone formation 2. However, a study with capsules found no difference from placebo (sham) in stone passage or pain relief 9. The evidence is moderate, and it remains open whether the positive findings are confirmed in larger studies.

Liver and Gallbladder

For liver and gallbladder, there are initial indications. Four controlled studies (with a comparison group) investigated extracts in people with liver diseases. In one study, a fibrosis value improved in fatty liver disease, but not liver fat or liver enzymes 12. In chronic hepatitis B, one study showed no difference in viral load 10. In alcoholic hepatitis, liver values in one study did not improve more than with placebo 8. A mixed preparation with milk thistle lowered a liver value, but without a confirmed difference from placebo 6. The evidence is low.

Infections

For infections, there are initial indications. A study in patients with acute tonsillitis found that a mixed preparation of black cumin and Chanca Piedra relieved swallowing difficulties 4. The patients also needed fewer painkillers than with placebo, and more often the sore throat disappeared completely 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.

Blood Sugar and Metabolism

There are hardly any data on blood sugar and metabolism. In a study without a control group, people with kidney stones drank tea from the herb. Body measurements and blood values did not change 15. A review suggests that extracts could lower blood sugar 16. Controlled studies on blood sugar and metabolism are lacking. The evidence is low.

Other Outcomes

There are also individual indications for other values. In alcoholic hepatitis, an extract increased antioxidants in the blood and appetite more than placebo 8. In healthy men, tea from the herb increased certain acids in the blood 11. A review of extracts found no evidence of harm to blood salts and liver values 1. A study with extract found no change in kidney function 10. The tea study found no change in antioxidant enzymes 11. The evidence is low, the studies are small.

4. How Was Chanca Piedra Taken in the Studies?

In the controlled studies, mainly extracts were tested, including the extract Uriston and standardized extracts, as well as capsules 5912. A tea from the dried herb was investigated in a small study in healthy men 11. Three studies tested mixed preparations of Chanca Piedra with black cumin, milk thistle, or Sida cordifolia 467.

5. Is Chanca Piedra Safe? Side Effects in the Studies

The studies predominantly report good tolerability without serious adverse events 151012. Mixed preparations with black cumin or milk thistle were also described as safe and well tolerated 46. In a study with boldine, Chanca Piedra, Ononis spinosa, and the drug tamsulosin, side effects such as headache, dizziness, and nausea were comparable in both groups 13. A review notes that side effects of the agents are often unknown 17.

All details with tables and sources: full expert page on Chanca piedra