Genus Phyllanthus: Medicinal uses.

Phyllanthus amarus

Whole plant paste along with Amaranthus spinosus juice mixed in goat milk taken against jaundice and liver-related diseases; whole plant of Andrographis paniculata with Phyllanthus amarus dried and powdered and taken to cure jaundice; whole plant ground into paste mixed with Phyllanthus emblica fruit paste and given to improve fertility in women; dried plant powder taken for diabetes and dysentery; plant juice given in abdominal pain and jaundice; whole plant in jaundice and dysuria; plant paste mixed with curd given orally for liver ailments, as hepatoprotective, hepatic stimulant; stem bark of Ficus racemosa ground with that of Artocarpus heterophyllus and leaves of Phyllanthus amarus given to promote fertility. An infusion of aerial parts drunk to cure persistent cough; raw branchlets and leaves eaten for curing jaundice. Fruits eaten to cure asthma. Leaves diuretic, used to treat kidney complaints, stomachache, urinary and venereal diseases, colds, skin diseases, fever, malaria, jaundice; leaf paste mixed with milk or curd given for jaundice; leaf extract dropped in eyes to cure cataract; chewed as a cough remedy; boiled to cure diarrhea, dysentery. Leaf paste applied to the bites of centipedes and snakes. Roots to treat fever; root extract taken orally for stomachache.

Phyllanthus asperulatus

Plants diuretic, for gonorrhea and genitourinary complaints. Fresh roots given in jaundice

Phyllanthus baillonianus

Plant paste consumed with milk for jaundice and for cooling the body.

Phyllanthus bodinieri

Roots and leaves used for traumatic injury.

Phyllanthus brasiliensis

Leaves fish poison.

Phyllanthus debilis

Diuretic, used to treat kidney complaints, irregular menstrual periods, urinary diseases, diarrhea, malaria, gonorrhea; leaves decoction taken by women for leucorrhea; leaves fried in groundnut oil and onion and eaten to cure body swelling. Plant extract taken orally for liver troubles, jaundice. Veterinary medicine, leaves paste given in dysentery.

Phyllanthus emblica

Used in Ayurveda, Unani and Sidha. Flowers cooling. Pounded leaves used against vomiting; leaf paste applied to heal wounds; leaf juice given to cure scorpion stings and diarrhea; leaves for wound maggots. Fresh fruit eaten as diuretic, blood purifier, astringent, laxative, tonic; fruits of Emblica officinalis pounded with seeds of Sesamum orientale and given in sexual debility of men; a decoction of fruits of Emblica officinalis with roots of Solanum indicum and stems of Cuscuta reflexa given in influenza; fruit decoction given with sugar for the treatment of spermatorrhea; pounded mixture of fruits of Phyllanthus emblica with fruits of Ficus rumphii given in vomiting; fruit decoction used as an eye drop for conjunctivitis; Phyllanthus amarus whole plant ground into paste mixed with Phyllanthus emblica fruit paste and given to improve fertility in women; fruits taken as chutney in headache; dried fruit astringent, stomachic, antiscorbutic, blood purifier, used in diarrhea, dysentery and hemorrhage; fruits chewed and the paste applied on the decaying tooth; juice or powder of fruits and leaves taken before the lunch and dinner helpful in controlling the blood sugar level; leaves and fruits decoction for stomach and hair problems. The aqueous extract of fruits mixed with the fruits of harr (Terminalia chebula) and bahera (Terminalia bellirica) used in constipation and cataract. Seed stomachic, used for asthma, bronchitis, nausea, stomach troubles, biliousness; powder of seeds with water given orally to cure syphilis; seed decoction given in urinary troubles and leucorrhea; a decoction of seeds of Emblica officinalis with shoots of Punica granatum given in typhoid fever; oil from the seeds massaged on head in madness, hysteria, unconsciousness, nervous breakdown. Seeds, roots and leaves used to treat blood, stomach, cough, blood pressure. Bark of this plant with that of Diospyros melanoxylon var. tupru made into a paste and given in bloody dysentery; bark juice taken against dysentery; bark paste applied on insect bite; roots and bark astringent. Veterinary medicine, leaves paste given to a cow or buffalo to cure stomach pain; fruits pounded with leaves of Ocimum basilicum and given with honey to cure the loss of appetite. Magico-religious beliefs, twigs used when cattle suffer from dropsy; ceremonial, ritual, ingredient of Patra pooja in different religious pooja ceremonies; a sacred plant worshipped during Kartik Mahatma. Bark as fish poison.

Phyllanthus engleri

Bark and roots poisonous. Leaves and fruits chewed for treating coughs and stomachache. Roots boiled and the juice drunk to treat bilharzia, venereal diseases, abdominal pains, menstrual problems and chest pain.

Phyllanthus epiphyllanthus

Leaves infusion for toothaches, colds and too frequent menstruation; chewed leaves for relief from stomachache or influenza.

Phyllanthus fischeri

Roots used medicinally, infusion for stomachache.

Phyllanthus fraternus

Used in Ayurveda. Whole plant mixed with the whole plant of dudhia and the leaves of nim is boiled in mustard oil and applied on the boils for suppuration; tender leaf decoction of Ricinus communis along with the whole plants of Phyllanthus fraternus and Eclipta alba given for the treatment of jaundice and liver diseases; stem bark of Sida cordifolia, crushed with root of Aristolochia indica, tubers of Cyperus scarious, whole plant of Selaginella bryopteris and Phyllanthus fraternus made into pills taken to cure epileptic attacks; young shoots infusion in dysentery and urinary disorders; plant extract along with milk given in jaundice; whole plant decoction taken for flu and cold; whole plant juice used in jaundice, cold, cough, diabetes and malaria; whole plant chewed in jaundice, liver

problems, diabetes, fever and indigestion. Leaves stomachic, aphrodisiac, bitter, astringent, diuretic, febrifuge, antiseptic; pasted leaves applied externally to treat syphilis; decoction of leaves of Ficus semicordata Buch.-Ham. ex Sm. var. conglomerata (Roxb.) Corner together with those of Byttneria pilosa and Phyllanthus fraternus and bark of Callicarpa arborea taken for jaundice and liver complaints; decoction of leaves of Phyllanthus fraternus with sugar and Cuminum cyminum taken orally to treat syphilis and gonorrhea. Fruits in jaundice; fruit with root of Holarrhena pubescens and leaves of Andrographis paniculata powdered and made into tablets given with cow milk to cure insomnia. Fresh roots a remedy for jaundice; root paste given to children with diarrhea. Milky juice applied to sores, boils and ulcers. Veterinary medicine, roots used for treating camels suffering from digestive troubles; whole plant crushed and given as lactagogue.

Phyllanthus glaucus

Roots used for infantile malnutrition due to intestinal parasites.

Phyllanthus gomphocarpus

Crushed young leaves used to heal wounds; leaf paste applied on cuts and wounds; leaf decoction given in diarrhea and dysentery.

Phyllanthus maderaspatensis

Used in Ayurveda, Unani and Sidha. Said to be poisonous to all stock. A leaf infusion to treat headache, sores. Seeds laxative, carminative and diuretic, useful in dyspepsia, constipation and urinary troubles.

Phyllanthus marianus

Leaves stomachic, aphrodisiac, astringent, diuretic, febrifuge, for jaundice.

Phyllanthus muellerianus

Plant used for gonorrhea and eye infections; antimicrobial properties of stem bark extracts, stem bark used as a remedy for wound healing and tetanus. Leaves boiled and made into a soup given to women after delivery, a postpartum remedy. Roots for rib pain and tuberculosis.

Phyllanthus myrtifolius

For genitourinary infections.

Phyllanthus niruri

Used in Ayurveda and Sidha. Whole plant infusion drunk to increase the appetite, to treat dysentery and diabetes, coughs, kidney troubles, gonorrhea. Leaves and stem infusion drunk to reduce fever, for colds, flu, stomachache, typhoid fever, dengue fever. Sap diuretic, laxative, used to treat kidney complaints, dropsy, sores, boils, urinary diseases, malaria, jaundice, dysentery. Paste, made from ground flowers mixed with water, used to soothe spider and caterpillar bites. Roots paste given for abortion. Plant extract piscicide.

Phyllanthus niruroides

Diuretic, laxative, used to treat kidney complaints, urinary diseases, malaria. Infusion for colds, flu, stomachache, typhoid fever. Piscicide.

Phyllanthus nummulariifolius

Infusion of young shoots given in chronic dysentery.

Phyllanthus nummulariifolius Poir. var. capillaris

Fresh roots in jaundice. Decoction for fevers, snakebite,

food poisoning

Phyllanthus oxyphyllus

Leaves decoction febrifuge, diuretic and diaphoretic in treating

gonorrhoea; young leaves taken as a postpartum remedy.

Phyllanthus parvifolius

Paste of leaf applied to treat boils; roasted leaf for wounds.

Phyllanthus pectinatus

Leaves decoction for fever.

Phyllanthus pentandrus

Toxic, postpartum remedy, mild purgative.

Phyllanthus polyphyllus

Unripe fruit paste mixed with milk given in paralysis, fruit juice applied for paralysis.

Phyllanthus pulcher

Decoction drunk for stomachache; poultices applied to the skin to treat boils, ulcerations, fever, swellings and itch. Leaves applied to the gums to treat toothache.

Phyllanthus reticulatus

Used in Ayurveda and Sidha. Used for criminal poisoning. Stems squeezed onto teeth for infected gums and toothache. For asthma, pound the stem and leaves and rub upon the chest. Leaves diuretic and cooling, a decoction for sore throat; fresh leaf juice applied in bleeding gums; dried leaf powder applied to cure ulcers and skin diseases; leaf paste applied on forehead to relieve headache or fever; leaves decoction given orally as antiseptic, astringent and antibacterial; young leaves decoction given in stomach disorders and dysentery. Root juice given to treat malaria; root decoction given to children for cough and catarrh. Leaves used as a bait for fishing. Veterinary medicine, crushed leaves extract given in diarrhea, dysentery and insect bite; roots of Helicteres isora along with leaves of Phyllanthus reticulatus pounded and the extract given orally in insect bite; tubers of Dioscorea bulbifera along with stem bark of Erythroxylum monogynum, leaves of Phyllanthus reticulatus pounded and the extract applied over fractured area and bandaged.

Phyllanthus reticulatus Poiret var. reticulatus

Used in Ayurveda. Leaves and roots used for the fractures and traumatic injury; leaves or bark diuretic, alterative, depurative, refrigerant and odontalgic. Fresh leaf juice applied in bleeding gum.

Phyllanthus rheedei

Cooked leaves eaten to cure jaundice

Phyllanthus rotundifolius

For wounds, apply sap.

Phyllanthus sellowianus

Febrifuge.

Phyllanthus tsarongensis

All parts used for urolithiasis.

Phyllanthus urinaria L.

Used in Ayurveda and Sidha. Fruits said to be poisonous to rabbits and pigs. Plant diuretic, a decoction drunk for diarrhea, gonorrhea and troubles in urination; whole plant poulticed for fever in children. Leaves infusion used to induce abortion; leaf decoction used for dressing sores and swollen parts; leaf extract in water taken to regularise menstruation and anti-cough. Fish poison, the leaves.

Phyllanthus urinaria L. subsp. urinaria

Used in Ayurveda and Sidha. Plant decoction drunk for diarrhea and troubles in urination; whole plant poulticed for fever in children. Bitter plant tonic, astringent, emmenagogue, abortifacient, liver stimulant, blood purifier, febrifuge, diuretic, in anemia, kidney complaints, liver and spleen diseases, jaundice, dysentery, diarrhea, cystitis, asthma, bronchitis, to treat urinary diseases, genitourinary troubles, malaria. Decoction of whole plant dissolves “stone”. Root or seeds given to sleepless children. Fish poison, leaves highly toxic to fish.

Phyllanthus ussuriensis

All parts as an astringent, antidiarrheal.

Phyllanthus virgatus

Plant antiseptic. All parts are used as medicine for infantile malnutrition due to intestinal parasites; fresh plant ground and the paste applied on bleeding piles. Leaf juice in eye diseases and dysentery, itch and gonorrhea. Roots used in mammary abscess. Veterinary medicine, whole plant and root preparations externally applied to abscesses, mammary abscesses.

Phyllanthus virgatus G. Forst. var. gardnerianus

Aerial portion made into a paste consumed with milk for cold and fever.

Phyllanthus virgatus G. Forst. var. virgatus

Leaf juice an eyewash, antiseptic; fresh leaves, bruised and mixed with buttermilk, a cure for children’s itch. Root preparations externally applied to abscesses, mammary abscesses.

Phyllanthus welwitschianus

Roots aphrodisiac, stomachic.