Uses of Phyllantus Amarus(eyinolobe Plant) In Nigeria Traditional Medicine
Posted: Saturday, June 26, 2010
by Rahaman Onike
Phyllantus Amarus schum is a Bhoomyamalkai plant belonging to the family of Euphorbiaceae. It is a small tropical shrub. The whole plant is used for treatment in traditional medicine because the leaves, roots, seeds and aeria contain nutrients and healing properties. The plant according to research findings is not toxic to either kidney or liver. The plant contains several phytochemical elements including: glycosides, flavonoids, alkaloids, ellagitannins, phenylpropanoids, sterols, lipids, astragalin, brevifolin, carboxylic acids, corilagin, cymene, ellagic acid, niranthin, nirurin, rutin, saponins, triacontanal, tricontanol, quercetol, niruriside, lignans, fatty acids, vitamin C, tannins, geranin, Limonine, Ascorbic acid, Hypophyllatin, Linoleic acid, phyttetralin, phyllanthin, Estradiol, Gallic acid, Linnanthin, Nururine, Phyllanthenol, Lupeol, Astragalin, Trans-phytol etc.
According to Ranjit Roy Chaudhury (2007) in his popular book entitled Healing Power of Herbs reports that Phyllantus Amarus (Eyin-Olobe) is good for treating liver diseases such as hepatitis and can rapidly restore full functioning of a damaged liver. Phyllantus Amarus was equally found efficacious for treating malaria, diabetes, kidney stones and jaundice.
Tolu Odugbemi (2008) in a Textbook of Medicinal Plants from Nigeria reports that Phyllantus Amarus (Eyin-Olobe) is effective for treating gonorrhoea, genito-urinary diseases, asthma, diabetes, typhoid fever, jaundice, stomach-ache, dysentery, ringworm, hypertension. In some Indian and Chinese herbal literature, it was reported that phyllantus Amarus has anti-viral effects, good for blood cleansing, tuberculosis and can be applied for the treatment of skin diseases. According to Nwanjo H.U. of Department of medical Laboratory Science, Imo State University in the internet Journal of Laboratory Medicine (www.ispub.com/journal) confirms the plant antidiabetic property. The extract from the plant when taken can increase the appetite. Fresh leaf juice of phyllantus Amarus can be applied externally for the treatment of cuts and bruises.
Akojenu SM of Biochemistry Department, University of Ibadan in African Journal of Medical Sciences (June 2000, 29(2) 119-122) reports that phyllantus Amarus has anti –oxidant, hypolidemic, anti-diabetic, anti-diarrheal and gastro-intestinal properties. The Indian journal of Medical Sciences (57(9) pp 378: 2009) reports that Phyllantus Amarus has HIV replication inhibition activity. A report by pharmainfo.net states that Aqeous extract of phyllantus amarus has inhibitory effects on HIV. LWT – Food Science and Technology Journal Vol. 40 issue 9 Nov 2007 pp. 16-64-1669 reports that phyllantus amarus has oedematogenic property. The leaves of the plant can be grounded and applied externally on bone fracture, treating of bleeding disorders and it has anti-cancer property.
The potency of phyllantus amarus was confirmed in English Journal of Phytochemistry 3(2) pp. 711-713 where it was stated that the plant is used for treating ailments such as asthma and bronchial infections. The plant is also considered a good diuretic, astringent, analgesics, detoxifier, liver protectant, anti-dysentry and anti-jaundice.
According to Adebisi L.A. (1999) in an article entitled prevalence and utilization of some medicinal plants in Agro-forestry systems reported in J.Trop for resources Vol. 15.1 pp 30-39 reports that phyllantus amarus is good for treating Arthritis and Asthma.
Phyllantus Amarus can be taken for weight loos (slimming down). According to Obianime A.W. and F.I. Uche of the Departments of Pharmacology and Phamacognosy, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, report in Journal of Applied Sciences and Environmental Management, vol. 13, No. 1, March 2009, PP. 5-9 that phyllantus amarus leaves (kidney stone plant) help to increase male fertility; Alkaloids and tannins contain in it contribute to the plants effects as anti-malaria, anti-diarrhea and analgesic agents.
Adeneye A. et al (2006) in Hand book of African Medicinal Plants report that phyllantus amarus is used in traditional medicine for its hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive, analgesic, anti-inflamatory and antimicrobial properties. Kokwaro J.O. (1976) in the book entitled Medicinal Plants of East Africa Literature Bureau confirms that the plant is used in the treatment of stomach disorders, skin diseases and cold. Meixa W. et al (1995) in the Journal of Laboratory Clinical Medicine vol. 126 pp. 350 – 352 confirm the anti-viral activity of phyllantus amarus against hepatitis B virus. Joy K.L. and Kuttan R. (1998) in Journal of Biochemistry and Nutrition Vol. 24 pp. 133 – 139 report that kidney stone plant has antimutagenic activities. It also has anti-nociceptive, anti-lipidemic, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-lithic and anti-bacterial properties.
Phyllantus Amarus has widely been reported to offer good treatment for leprosy, hiccup, peptic ulcer, asthma; it is anti-spasmodic, good laxative, blood tonic, treatment of Itch, flu, fever, dyspepsia, blennorrhagia, tenesmus, gonorrhea, malaria, uterus complaints, constipation, anorexia, carminative, tumor, colic; it has HIV inhibitory activity, good anti – inflammation of appendix, bladder disorder etc.
The report of a study which was reported online via www.rain-tree.com and www.findarticles.com reveal that phyllantus amarus is a good cure for kidney stone, prostate problems and it was found to have hypoglacemic property.
Phyllantus amarus can be processed and used through aqeous extraction of the plant phytochemical nutrients and properties; or by methanolic extraction of the plant chemicals, and the plant can be air – dried as herbal tea for various uses and application.
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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)This is superb. Please, how can i get it and what is the Yoruba name for this leaf. Expecting your reply.The Yoruba name is Eyin Olobe. It is a very common plant even in your compound. It is also known as Chanca Piedra or Stone breaker. I hope this helps
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