 Chanca piedra is a small plant growing up to 12 to 18 inches in height that proliferates like weed in the rainforest of the Amazon Basin. It is also indigenous to other tropical areas including southern India and China. Chanca piedra is a good example of morphism, which refers to a situation when a plant’s shape is reminiscent of its effect on the body. Chanca piedra contains stone-like berries under its leaves and is specifically indicated for the release of gall bladder and kidney stones.
In Spanish, chanca piedra means “stone breaker” or “shatter stone.” It has been used for generations by the indigenous peoples of the Amazon as an effective remedy to eliminate gall stones, kidney stones and other kidney problems. Despite its name that indicates the most prominent use of chanca piedra, this plant is also utilized for various conditions related to viral infections such as flu, fever, hepatitis and pulmonary infections. Its name “feuille la fièvre” means “fever leaf.” In India where it is called Budhatri, chanca piedra is a common household remedy for asthma, bronchitis and coughing. In South America, India and China, chanca piedra is also used as a digestive aid and to help eliminate colitis and intestinal parasites.
Chanca Piedra has been the subject of much research to determine its active constituents and its effect onhuman health. Chanca piedra’s traditional uses for kidney stones and gallstones have been validated in various studies in which a chanca piedra extract exhibited a potent inhibitory effect on kidney stone formation. More specifically, chanca piedra extract was shown to reduce the size of calcium crystals and to prevent aggregation of calcium crystals. By doing so, chanca piedra acts at the initial stage of crystal formation, keeping crystal formation at a size that promotes easy and painless elimination. Furthermore, alkaloids were also identified that had the property of specifically relaxing the smooth muscles around urinary and biliary tracts, facilitating the expulsion of stones without pain. One European study suggested up to 94% effectiveness in eliminating kidney and gall bladder stones.
In animals fed cholesterol, chanca piedra reduced blood cholesterol and both LDL (low density lipoprotein) and VLDL (very low density lipoprotein), the two forms of cholesterol susceptible to oxidation. Chanca piedra acts by reducing the ability of the liver to synthesizecholesterol and by increasing faecal bile acids excretion.
This effect on the blood and the protective effect of chanca piedra on the liver were attributed to two compounds in the plant called phyllanthin, and hypophyllanthin.
 Much attention has been drawn on chanca piedra in the early 1980s after the report of its beneficial effect on hepatitis B. Subsequent studies provided mitigated results, probably due to variations in strains, origin and process of extraction. However, in 1992 a Japanese group discovered that a simple water extract of chanca piedra contained a compound able to inhibit an enzyme called reverse transcriptase. Reverse transcriptase is an enzyme involved in the process of virus replication.
During a viral infection, viruses penetrate cells and then take over the “manufacturing center” of the cell. When this happens, the cell begins making thousands of copies of the virus which are later released and spread to neighboring cells. Reverse transcriptase is an enzyme involved in this process of virus duplication. By blocking this enzyme, chanca piedra is an exceptional antiviral natural component. Interestingly, as often happens with substances isolated from natural sources, as the active component was isolated and purified it became less and less efficacious. Because of this the scientific research on chanca piedra was discontinued.
Chanca piedra was also shown in a 1995 human study to have significant diuretic and hypotensive properties, and to reduce and helped normalize blood glucose in diabetic patients.
The information contained in this article is intended for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or prevent any disease. If you have any health concern, it is recommended to seek the advise of a certified health practitioner.
Kidney Health
Chanca piedra has been used traditionally in tea form to facilitate the expulsion of kidney stones. Chanca piedra is found in Shipibo Treasure Tea™ and Shipibo Matte Tea™ which you can drink several times a day, every day. Chanca piedra is also found in Envirozon™, Illumination™ and Fiberzon™. All of these products used every day support kidney function and may prevent the formation of kidney stones.
Winter Season
Chanca piedra has been shown to contain antiviral components. Drink Shipibo Treasure Tea™ and Shipibo Matte Tea™ plus use Envirozon™ during cold season to help maintaingood pulmonary health.
Liver Function
Drink Shipibo Treasure Tea™ and Shipibo Matte Tea™ as well as take Envirozon™, Illumination™ and Fiberzon™ daily to help support good liver function and healthycholesterol metabolism.
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