Chanca Piedra "Kidney Stone" Breaker

Chanca Piedra is an herb that grows in tropical areas, like the rainforests of South America. It also commonly known as “Stone-Breaker”. The plant has thin, leaf-covered branches and can grow up to about 2 feet (61 cm) tall. It gets the name “seed-under-leaf” because its seed pods, which bloom into small green flowers, grow beneath the leaves. The entire plant — including the leaves, stems, and flowers are used to make supplements. As a supplement, Chanca Piedra is reported to help with a variety of conditions related to the digestive system, liver, and kidneys. Supposedly, it contains phytochemicals that can increase urine flow, kill harmful bacteria and viruses, and relieve inflammation. Chanca Piedra is available in teas, liquid extracts, capsules, or tablets. Chanca Piedra is best known as a potential kidney stone treatment— which is how it earned the name “stone breaker.” The herb is alkaline, so it may help prevent acidic kidney stones. It’s a less expensive, over-the-counter alternative to prescription potassium citrate, an alkalizing agent that’s commonly used to prevent acidic kidney stones. It may also help you urinate more. In one study of 56 people with kidney stones who took 1 cup of hot water infused with an herbal sachet containing 4.5 grams of chanca piedra twice daily, researchers found that the kidney stones decreased in size and number in about two-thirds of participants. Chanca Piedra extract can kill the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers in test-tube studies. Studies have shown that the antioxidants in Chanca Piedra have been able to improve fasting blood sugar levels, which can help with blood sugar management. For the same reason it may help with kidney stones, the alkalizing properties of Chanca Piedra may help prevent gallstones as well. It’s used in some traditional medicine practices as a gallstone treatment. Gout flare-ups can occur when high levels of uric acid build up in the blood. Chanca Piedra may help balance out these levels and prevent gout attacks. Due to its antioxidant content, Chanca Piedra may improve liver function and help protect the liver from cellular damage caused by free radicals. Unstable compounds that can cause damage when they build up in your body in high levels. The herb also appears to be helpful for treating hepatitis B, an inflammatory viral infection of the liver according to studies. Because some other herbs in the Phyllanthus genus exhibit strong antiviral activity against hepatitis B —potentially rivaling that of the antiviral medication interferon — researchers theorize that Chanca Piedra may have similar effects.