The stonebreaker is a medicinal plant of the species Phyllanthus niruri, indicated to prevent the formation of kidney or gallstones, protect the liver or improve constipation, as it is rich in alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenes and lignins, with diuretic, hepatoprotective, antioxidant and antispasmodic properties.
The normally used parts of this medicinal plant, which is also known as white pimpernel, saxifrage or stone-puller, are the leaves, flower, root and seeds, from which the active substances are extracted, for the preparation of tea, tincture or capsules. found in herbalists, compounding pharmacies or natural product stores.
Although it has many health benefits, stone breaking does not replace medical treatment and should only be used under the guidance of a doctor or other professional who has experience with the use of medicinal plants.
What is it for
The stone breaker can be used for various actions on the body, such as:
1. Protect the liver
Stonebreaker is rich in antioxidant compounds with hepatoprotective action, such as lignans, among which philanthin and hypophyllanthin stand out, and, according to some studies, it can protect liver cells from intoxication induced by some carbon tetrachloride compounds. , galactosamine and medications such as paracetamol, for example, in addition to preventing the development of drug-induced liver cirrhosis.
2. Regulate blood glucose
Some studies show that concentrated stonebreaker extracts help regulate blood glucose levels due to their bioactive compounds with antidiabetic activity, helping to improve glucose tolerance, improve pancreas tissue and its functioning, and are recommended to prevent or treat type 2 diabetes.
3. Decrease inflammation and pain
Stonebreaker may have antiallodynic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties that can relieve muscle and joint pain and headaches.
These properties are due to the fact that this plant has a high concentration of gallic acid and corilagin, which could act by reducing the action of inflammatory mediators in the body and generating a reduction in pain receptors.
4. Lower cholesterol and triglycerides
Because it is rich in bioactive compounds, such as flavonoids, stonebreaker helps reduce fat levels in the body, reducing total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, as well as triglycerides, preventing cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis, heart attack or stroke.
These benefits are due to the fact that the stone has lipolytic properties that degrade the body’s fats, acts on liver enzymes, normalizing cholesterol synthesis, and helps eliminate LDL cholesterol, preventing it from accumulating in the body, in addition to increasing excretion. intestinal bile that contains amounts of cholesterol.
5. Control blood pressure and clotting
Stonebreaker has bioactive compounds with vasodilatory activity on the arteries, inhibiting vasoconstriction, helping to control high blood pressure, in addition to helping to control and prevent platelet aggregation, preventing the development of thrombosis, for example.
6. Prevent ulcers
This plant is rich in gallic acid, beta sitosterol, ellagic acid and alkaloids with healing activity on the digestive mucosa, helping to heal and inhibit the development of ulcers induced by medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and ulceration of the gastric mucosa caused by alcohol.
7. Act against viruses and bacteria
Stonebreaker extract has significant antiviral action when combined with other active compounds, especially when used against the hepatitis B virus, being useful to help combat it, in addition to acting against some bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus vulgaris e Bacillus subtilis
Furthermore, this plant has action against bacteria Listeria monocytogeneswhich is responsible for listeriosis, and may be useful as a food preservative.
8. Prevent kidney stones
According to some studies, stonebreaker has properties that prevent and help treat kidney stones, being useful to complement treatment.
9. Prevent gallstones
Stonebreaker has alkalizing properties, helping to prevent gallstones that are produced in the gallbladder.
10. Decrease the possibility of gout
This plant helps reduce the accumulation of uric acid in the blood, helping to balance the amounts and being useful for preventing gout attacks.
How to make stone breaking tea
Stonebreaker tea can be prepared as follows:
Ingredients
- 20 g of stonebreaker;
- 1 liter of water;
Preparation mode
Boil the water and add the medicinal plant and let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes, strain and drink the drink warm, preferably without using sugar.
Stone breaking tea can be used to prevent kidney stones formed by calcium oxalate, or to prevent existing calcium oxalate stones from increasing in size.
However, this tea does not treat or eliminate already formed kidney stones and does not prevent non-calcium oxalate stones.
Other ways to use
Stonebreaker has a bitter taste initially, but then becomes milder. Other ways of using this medicinal plant are:
- Infusion: 20 to 30g per liter. Take 1 to 2 cups per day;
- Decoction: 10 to 20g per liter. Take 2 to 3 cups a day;
- Dry extract in capsules: 350 mg up to 3 times a day;
- Dust: 0.5 to 2g per day;
- Dyeing: 10 to 20 mL, divided into 2 or 3 daily doses, diluted in a little water.
The use of the stonebreaker, as well as the treatment time, must be guided by the doctor or herbalist.
Possible side effects
The most common side effects that may occur during the use of stonebreaker are abdominal pain, pain when urinating, blood in the urine or nausea.
Furthermore, stone breaking can greatly reduce blood sugar and cause hypoglycemia, especially in people who use medication to treat diabetes. Know how to identify the symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Who shouldn’t use
Stonebreaker tea is contraindicated for children under 6 years of age and for pregnant or breastfeeding women because it has properties that cross the placenta and reach the baby and can cause miscarriage, and it also passes through breast milk, changing the taste of the milk.
Furthermore, you should not drink this tea for more than 2 weeks in a row, as it increases the elimination of important minerals through urine. See more home remedy options for kidney stones.
