Chanca Piedra (pronounced shan-kuh pie-day-rah) is made from the stem, roots or berries of a tropical vine known as cascara sagrada, Phyllanthus niruri or Chondrodendron tomentosum. Native Americans used cascara sagrada as an enema to relieve pain in their bowels and intestines. The herb has also been used to treat diarrhea and dysentery because it contains tannins that have laxative properties.
Some people believe that chanca piedra can help with weight loss by speeding up your metabolism, but there’s little evidence to support this claim at this point. There are, however, many science-backed benefits of chanca piedra that you should know about. Let’s dive in …
1. A Natural Enema Alternative
Chanca piedra is a powerful herb that can be used as an enema alternative. It has been used for centuries by the Incas and other indigenous people to treat intestinal problems and constipation. Chanca piedra contains (antimicrobial) tannins, saponins, and (anti-inflammatory) flavonoids. These components help to heal your body from within by cleaning out your colon and eliminating toxic waste from your body.
Indian researchers studied 30 children with viral diarrhea, giving half the children chanca piedra (Phyllanthus niruri). The other half received a placebo. The study found that more children given chanca piedra experienced symptom improvement — such as better stool consistency, reduced fever, vomiting and stomach pain — than those given the placebo.
2. The Stone Breaker: Natural Diuretic to Avoid Bladder Stones
Chanca piedra is a natural diuretic that can help prevent kidney or bladder stones from forming. The Spanish translation of Chanca Piedra is “the stone breaker.” Some people consider it an excellent remedy for a range of kidney disorders due to its lithotriptic activity. The stone-forming crystals in the bladder are made of calcium oxalate, and chanca piedra acts as a natural diuretic to flush out excess water and toxins (like calcium oxalate) from the body.
Chanca Piedra contains tannins that have diuretic properties. This means that they help you urinate more frequently and easily. This is useful for people who suffer from bladder stones or urinary tract infections because it helps flush out harmful bacteria from their bodies. The beneficial effects of rutin and quercetin, two potent antioxidants found in this plant, are also useful for treating inflammation of the colon.
Learn more: Top Vitamins and Nutrients for Healthy Liver and Kidney Function
3. May Boost Liver Health
Chanca piedra can enhance liver function by lowering oxidative stress and inflammation. It also boosts antioxidant enzymes such as glutathione, catalase and superoxide dismutase. At the same time the herb can decrease enzymes that can cause liver damage, while increasing antioxidant enzymes. Most studies carried out on the liver with chanca piedra are done so in patients with Hepatitis B (an infection of the liver).
In a clinical study, 100 people with hepatitis C were treated with chanca piedra. The results showed increased levels of several important antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione, vitamin C, vitamin E) and decreased oxidative stress. Chanca piedra also prevented liver damage in these patients. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the liver is responsible for boosting “qi” or life force. Meaning a boost to your liver health can increase your energy.
Learn more: Glutathione – The ‘Master Oxidant’ That Helps Detox Your Liver And Much More!
4. May Lower Blood Pressure and Protect the Heart
One of the most important health benefits of Chanca piedra is that it helps protect the heart. Chanca Piedra contains saponins, which are highly effective at preventing blood clots that can lead to heart attacks and strokes. The herb also helps regulate blood pressure levels, which is vital for keeping your heart healthy. Chanca piedra has been shown to lower blood pressure, prevent excessive platelet clumping, relax blood vessels, and improve heart function in studies on rabbits, rats and cells.
Heart health may be improved when consuming chanca piedra by decreasing heart-damaging enzymes (such as dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, and alkaline phosphatase). Additionally, it decreased blood pressure levels when given to over 1K people with high blood pressure for 10 days. In another study 182 participants took chanca piedra (and other medicinal plants) for 10 days and 70% of patients who consumed the medicinal plants were relieved of their symptoms after the treatment.
Related: 9 Effective Ways to Naturally Manage Your Blood Pressure
5. Has Anti-inflammatory Properties
Chanca piedra works in a myriad of ways to reduce inflammation. Firstly, important detoxification agents are up-regulated. Such as the master detoxification compound glutathione. While also elevating levels of antibacterial and antioxidants. For these reasons, and many others, chanca piedra is being considered for medicinal use. Oxidative stress leads to chronic inflammation and a plethora of chronic illness. Reducing these toxins and free radicals could seriously boost overall health.
The roots of chanca piedra seem to be particularly potent. They contain 28 compounds that can reduce inflammation by down regulating oxidative stress. In a study carried out on rodents backed up the fact that the antioxidant activity from chanca piedra can boost vitamins and minerals that further help cleanse the body. Such as glutathione, vitamin C and catalase.
6. May Reduce Infections
There have been studies carried out in mice and cells that show that chanca piedra can halt the growth of various fungi, bacteria and pathogens. Including delaying the onset and development of a resistant malaria parasite. In fact, 79% of mice in the study experienced delayed development with a dose of 1600 mg per kg per day. In another study, chanca piedra inhibited the proliferation of hepatitis C.
Chanca piedra has shown antimicrobial properties against a wide range of pathogens. Not least those that are drug resistant. Helping the body detoxify a wide range of harmful bacteria. Another promising study found that phyllanthus niruri (chanca piedra) extract can clear out viral cells in people suffering from chronic disease.
Related: How Glutathione Could Help Give You More Energy and Lend a Hand If You Suffer With a Chronic Infection or Illness
7. Boosts Brain Health
One reason that we get brain fog and mental malfunctions is due to chronic stress. This could be oxidative stress or perceived mental triggers. Both activate the fight-or-flight system of the body, which in-turn down regulates many of the body’s natural healing properties. One of the neurotransmitters used by the rest-and-digest system is called Acetylcholine. This chemical messenger helps promote memory and focus. Chanca piedra can block the enzymes that break down this important chemical. In turn, boosting cognitive function.
In a study carried out in mouse models researchers discovered that phyllanthus amarus (or chanca piedra) improved memory scores of young mice. As well as reducing amnesia. While these properties are exciting, more studies in humans are required to pinpoint the exact underlying mechanisms at play. These findings could be beneficial in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Dosage & Possible Chanca Piedra Side Effects
One important note here is that chanca piedra was traditionally used to induce an abortion. Therefore it’s advised that pregnant women and those wishing to conceive should not take chanca piedra. As with a lot of herbs that are not yet officially approved, it’s also advised that young children and lactating mothers should not take chanca piedra.One study found that mice who took 100 mg per kg of body weight of chanca piedra for 30 days had trouble getting pregnant.
One other caveat is that chanca piedra can interact with other medications. While the exact dosage of chanca piedra isn’t backed up by the FDA or similar regulatory bodies, there are a few guidelines that you can work with. We recommend two capsules daily with 8oz of water, or as advised by your health practitioner.
How does Chanca Piedra Work?
The whole plant is used for medicinal purposes, the roots, leaves and berries. Chanca Piedra contains tannins and other phytochemicals that have potent antioxidant properties. These compounds help protect your body from free radicals that can cause cell damage. One of the main attributes of chanca piedra is that it can help your body detox kidney stones and other toxins that can block your lymphatic system and lead to chronic illness.
