Overview and Ethnobotanical Context
Chanca piedra (Phyllanthus niruri), known as “Stonebreaker,” features prominently in Amazonian and South Asian traditional medicine for renal, hepatic, and urinary tract conditions. Recent research supports its historical use for nephrolithiasis and cholelithiasis (1-3).
Clinical Benefits and Mechanisms
Litholytic Activity: Phyllanthus niruri has demonstrated the capacity to contribute to kidney stone dissolution and reduce formation. Clinical studies suggest that its extracts can lower stone size and frequency by inhibiting crystal aggregation and promoting increased urine output (4-6).
Hepatorenal Support: Evidence in animal and human studies points to enhanced liver and kidney function, potentially reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory markers (4,7).
Antioxidant and Anti-inflammatory Effects: Bioactive lignans, flavonoids, and tannins may provide antioxidant defense and mitigate systemic inflammation (7,8).
Urinary Tract Health: Preliminary research indicates benefit in alleviating urinary tract discomfort and reducing microbial load (6,8,9).
Synergistic Botanicals and Nutrients
For a comprehensive, non-pharmaceutical approach to stone management, additional supportive compounds include:
- Hydrangea root: supportive for the urinary tract (4)
- Dandelion root, milk thistle: reinforce hepatobiliary function (3).
- Magnesium: shown to reduce stone risk by interfering with urinary crystal formation (4).
- Citrate-rich foods, potassium citrate, citric acid: help alkalinize urine, decreasing stone-forming potential (3).
- Black cumin, celery seed: potential anti-inflammatory and litholytic properties (4).
- Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), N-acetylcysteine (NAC): antioxidants for renal and hepatic tissue (7).
- D-Mannose: urinary tract support, especially in managing bacterial colonization (9).
- Phosphatidylcholine, choline, methionine, glycine, vitamin C, psyllium, curcumin: may aid gallbladder/bile function via enhanced flow and detoxification (3).
Functional Medicine Perspective
Functional medicine emphasizes addressing diet, biochemistry, and lifestyle to both remediate and prevent stone formation. Botanical and nutrient formulations may be suitable for adjunctive use.
My Personal (anecdotal) Experience:
When my elderly cat (she lived to 23 years of age) developed early kidney disease late in life I developed a kidney support formulation for her – based upon some of these ingredinets plus some others and she never had any further problems.
When some friends/contacts developed kidney and gallstones – some medium sized I put them on my Kidney Support formulation and their stones completely dissolved within 6 months! (confirmed with ultrasound).
Conclusion
Chanca piedra, supported by synergistic botanicals and nutrients, may assist in the integrative management of stone disease and liver/biliary health. Further randomized trials are warranted; practitioners should apply these strategies alongside conventional care, tailored to patient needs.
References:
1. Rain-Tree.com: Chanca piedra—Phyllanthus niruri.
2. Chanca Piedra: Benefits, Dosage, Side Effects, and More. Healthline, 2020.
3. Chanca piedra for gallstones. Medical News Today, 2023.
4. Effect of Phyllanthus niruri on metabolic parameters of patients. PMC, 2018.
5. Phyllanthus niruri herbal therapy for kidney stones. PubMed, 2020.
6. Health Benefits of Chanca Piedra. WebMD, 2024.
7. Chanca Piedra: 5 Benefits, Dosage, and Side Effects. Health.com, 2025.
8 Antimicrobial activity of Phyllanthus niruri. JNMHS, 2025.
9. Health Benefits and Safety Tips for Chanca Piedra. Verywell Health, 2024.
