Chanca Piedra
Useful mainly for people prone to calcium oxalate kidney stones looking for an adjunct.
Quick decision guide
May help most
people prone to calcium oxalate kidney stones looking for an adjunct
Common dosing range
400–1500 mg/day standardized extract
When to expect effects
Weeks to months
Watch out for
may lower blood pressure and blood sugar; not a substitute for medical stone management
What is it
Chanca piedra (Phyllanthus niruri, also bhumyamalaki in Ayurveda) is a small tropical plant used traditionally for kidney stones, liver complaints, and hepatitis. The name means 'stone breaker' in Spanish.
Is it worth it for you?
Use this as a quick fit check, not a diagnosis.
Worth considering if…
Probably skip if…
Evidence at a glance
| Goal | Effect | Best fit | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
calcium oxalate kidney stones Limited Evidence | Uncertain; modest at best | people with recurrent calcium oxalate stones | Weeks to months |
chronic hepatitis B Mixed Evidence | Inconsistent | not established | Weeks to months |
calcium oxalate kidney stones
- Effect
- Uncertain; modest at best
- Best fit
- people with recurrent calcium oxalate stones
- Time
- Weeks to months
chronic hepatitis B
- Effect
- Inconsistent
- Best fit
- not established
- Time
- Weeks to months
Evidence for 2 uses
AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.
calcium oxalate kidney stones
Supplement benefitIn vitro work shows Phyllanthus extracts inhibit calcium oxalate crystal formation and aggregation, and a few small human trials suggest possible benefit for stone passage or reduced crystalluria. Trials are small, heterogeneous, and not consistently positive, and larger high-quality studies are lacking.
Bottom line: A plausible low-risk adjunct for recurrent oxalate stones, but the human evidence is thin and inconsistent.
Evidence is mixed
Some small trials report fewer or smaller stones while others show no significant difference versus control. Methodology and extract standardization vary widely.
chronic hepatitis B
Biomarker supportSome studies report antiviral activity against hepatitis B surface antigen and modest changes in liver markers, but trial results conflict and a Cochrane review found no convincing evidence that Phyllanthus clears the virus or improves clinical outcomes. Changes seen are biomarker-level and not reliably reproduced.
Bottom line: Evidence does not support Phyllanthus as a treatment for hepatitis B.
Evidence is mixed
Early small trials suggested HBsAg clearance, but pooled and higher-quality data do not confirm a benefit on viral or clinical endpoints.
How it works
How to take it
What to track
2 commercial forms
Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.
Standardized extract
Capsules or tablets, typical of clinical trials.
Often standardized to phyllanthin content.
Whole-herb powder
Used in teas or capsules.
Less concentrated; traditional preparation.
Safety
Know the common side effects, key cautions, and who should avoid it.
Common side effects
Who should avoid it
- pregnant or breastfeeding women
- people on antihypertensive or antidiabetic drugs without monitoring
- those within 2 weeks of surgery
Pregnancy & breastfeeding
Avoid in pregnancy and lactation due to lack of safety data and traditional use as an emmenagogue.
Interactions
additive blood-pressure lowering
additive blood-sugar lowering
diuretic effect may alter lithium levels
additive diuretic effect
Choosing a product
What to look for on the label — and what to be skeptical of.
Look for…
Be skeptical of…
Frequently asked questions
Does chanca piedra actually dissolve kidney stones?⌄
It does not dissolve existing stones in a clinically meaningful sense. Some small studies suggest it may help with passage or reduce recurrence, but evidence is limited.
Is it safe to take with diabetes medication?⌄
Use with caution. Chanca piedra may lower blood sugar; monitor closely and discuss with your clinician.
References by claim
Track Chanca Piedra with Pilora
Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.
Coming to App StoreDisclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.