Chanca Piedra
OTHER NAME(S): chanca piedra, Phyllanthus niruri, quebra-pedra, stone breaker
Overview
Chanca piedra (Phyllanthus niruri) is a South American plant that is available as a tea and in dietary supplements. These products, which are commonly used for kidney stones, are made from the leaves, stems, and seeds of the plant. Chanca piedra may also be used for other health problems, but its benefits are not well defined. Common side effects include nausea and vomiting. Before taking chanca piedra, make sure to tell your health care provider about any health conditions you have and medicines you are taking.
Uses
What is chanca piedra used for?
Chanca piedra (Phyllanthus niruri) is used for kidney stones. It is also sometimes used for gout and certain liver problems, but its benefits for these uses are not well defined.
Note: The FDA has not reviewed chanca piedra for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.
How does chanca piedra work (mechanism of action)?
Chanca piedra is a South American plant called Phyllanthus niruri. It has a long history of use in Brazilian medicine where it is known as quebra-pedra (stone breaker). Dietary supplements and teas that contain chanca piedra are made from the stems, leaves, and seeds of the plant.
The name “stone breaker” comes from the traditional use of chanca piedra for treating and preventing kidney stones. Chanca piedra may act as a diuretic, increasing the amount of fluid that flushes through your kidneys as urine (pee). It may also help keep certain substances that can cause kidney stones, such as oxalate, from building up in your kidneys. Some research shows that taking chanca piedra daily may help shrink kidney stones so they pass out of the body sooner. But it is not clear if chanca piedra can shrink all types of kidney stones or if it can reduce the number of kidney stones over time. If you have kidney stones on a regular basis, speak with your health care provider about lifestyle changes and treatment options that may help prevent these stones.
Chanca piedra seems to have antioxidant activity and may also be able to lower the levels of a chemical called uric acid. This has led to interest in using chanca piedra for gout and certain liver problems. But its benefits for these uses are not well defined. Small studies in people with liver problems have not shown any benefit.
Herbal products, such as chanca piedra, naturally contain many chemicals. The amounts of each chemical in a specific chanca piedra product may vary. Some, none, or all of these chemicals may have effects on the body. These effects may change depending on how much of each chemical is found in the product you are using.
How should I store chanca piedra?
You should store chanca piedra according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of chanca piedra?
The most common side effects of chanca piedra are nausea and vomiting. These side effects may vary depending on the dose you are taking or the specific product you are using. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that bother you.
There may be other side effects of chanca piedra that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of chanca piedra?
While less common, the most serious side effects of chanca piedra are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Chanca piedra may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop using chanca piedra and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching or skin rash
- Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Precautions
Who should not use chanca piedra?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not use chanca piedra.
- Chanca piedra
- Phyllanthus niruri
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific chanca piedra products they stock.
What should I know about chanca piedra before using it?
Chanca piedra is a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.
Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are using, or use it as recommended by your health care provider.
Keep chanca piedra out of the reach of children.
Herbal products, such as chanca piedra, naturally contain many chemicals. The amount of each chemical in a specific chanca piedra product can change for many reasons, including the area where the plant was grown, the weather during growth, the time of year when it was harvested, and the way that the plant was processed after it was harvested. If you switch to a new bottle or a different brand, you may not have the same effects or side effects because of this variability. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.
Chanca piedra may be made from different parts of the plant. For example, chanca piedra products may contain the whole plant or the leaves, stems, or seeds of the plant. Each of these plant parts contains different chemicals that may have different effects on the body. It is important to read the label to confirm which part of the plant was used to make that product.
Chanca piedra is available as a tea, liquid extract, and dietary supplement. Each of these forms may contain different amounts of the chemicals that are naturally found in the plant.
If you are taking a liquid chanca piedra product, use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist what measuring device to use.
The FDA has not tested chanca piedra products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.
What should I tell my health care provider before using chanca piedra?
Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if chanca piedra is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Current and Past Health Conditions.Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.
- Diabetes
- Gallstones
- Kidney problems, including kidney stones
- Hepatitis
- Low potassium or magnesium levels
Other Medicines and Supplements.Chanca piedra may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking chanca piedra, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Pregnancy. It is not known if or how chanca piedra could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Breastfeeding. It is not known if chanca piedra passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.
Interactions
Does chanca piedra interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between chanca piedra and foods or drinks.
It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect chanca piedra.
Does chanca piedra interact with medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking chanca piedra.
- A diuretic, also called a water pill, which is a medicine used to reduce edema (fluid retention) and blood pressure
- Magnesium supplements
- Potassium supplements
The interactions between chanca piedra and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with chanca piedra is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking chanca piedra with any medicines.
Dosing
What should I do if I accidentally use too much chanca piedra?
If you or someone else has used too much chanca piedra, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
Chanca piedra is available in a wide range of doses and forms. Read the product label closely, and speak with a health care provider about how to take chanca piedra safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.
References
- Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine: “Antioxidant effects of Phyllanthus niruri tea on healthy subjects.”
- Blumenthal, M. The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs, American Botanical Council, 2003.
- International Brazilian Journal of Urology: “Effect of phyllanthus niruri on metabolic parameters of patients with kidney stone: A perspective for disease prevention,” “Phyllanthus niruri as a promising alternative treatment for nephrolithiasis.”
- The Journal of Urology: “Can Phyllanthus niruri affect the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for renal stones? A randomized, prospective, long-term study.”
- Indian Journal of Pharmacology: “Efficacy of Phyllanthus niruri on improving liver functions in patients with alcoholic hepatitis: a double-blind randomized controlled trial.”
- The Canadian Journal of Urology: “Phyllanthus niruri (stone breaker) herbal therapy for kidney stones; a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical efficacy, and Google Trends analysis of public interest.”