This
article includes:

•
Health benefits

•
Possible side effects

•
Choice of use and storage

phyllanthus urinaria is a genus of flowering
plants used as herbal medicine. Commonly used in healing in traditional
Vietnamese and Chinese medicine, species such as Echinacea emblica, also known
as forest tamarind, and Echinacea niruri, have long been considered a medicinal
remedy. safe and effective medication for liver disorders and a variety of other
medical conditions.

Dipterocarpus
is grown all over the world in tropical and subtropical climates. Available as
a functional food, the leaves and roots of the plant can be used to make teas,
decoctions, tinctures, and extracts of the medicinal plant that are widely used
in medicine today. Diep Ha Chau can also use fresh leaves and buds on the skin
to treat sores and rashes.

Note:
It is also known by several names as

•
Gale

•
Plants and leaves

•
Seeds under leaves

Health benefits

Phyllanthus
extract has been used in traditional Vietnamese and Indian medicine systems for
over 2,000 years, where it is thought to be able to prevent or treat a variety
of unrelated health conditions. Medicines containing phyllanthus urinaria
extract in traditional medicine are widely used to treat liver disorders, the
effects of which are due to chlorophyll niruri extract.

Other
conditions commonly treated by chlorophyll include:

•
Bladder infections

•
Diabetes

•
Skin diseases

•
Heavy menstrual bleeding

•
Hepatitis B

•
Infectious diarrhea

•
Chronic kidney disease

•
Skin infections

•
Urinary tract infections

The
evidence supporting these health claims is generally weak. With that said,
there is evidence that chlorophyllum extract can aid in the treatment of
certain liver or kidney diseases. Here's what some current research says:

Liver failure

Scientists
have found that certain species of chlorophyll may help prevent inflammation
and liver damage. According to a 2012 study in the journal Pharmaceutical
Biology, extracts of chlorophyll and phyllanthus were able to protect liver
cells (called hepatocytes) from oxidative stress when exposed to hydrogen
peroxide for an extended period of time. series of in vitro studies.

The
results are supported by a 2017 study published in the journal Nutrients, in
which a 50% extract of phyllanthus niruri appeared to halt the progression of
non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). ) in mice. Not only was the extract
able to normalize liver enzymes, but there were also no signs of fibrosis
(scarring) in liver tissue samples. These effects are due to a plant-based polyphenol
called phyllanthin, which is found only in the genus Phyllanthus.

Further
research is needed to determine whether similar effects can be achieved in
humans.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis
B is a form of viral hepatitis that can cause inflammation and damage to the
liver over the long term. Since the 1990s, studies have suggested that
phyllanthus can kill hepatitis B virus (HBV), effectively "curing"
people with chronic infections.

Many
of these studies have been criticized for including severely infected individuals.
In people with acute hepatitis B (meaning they have been recently infected), up
to 90% will shed the virus on their own without treatment.

Only
a small number will progress to a chronic hepatitis B virus infection, and some
may never have symptoms.

Note:
Claims that eucalyptus extract can "cure" or "treat"
hepatitis B do not mean that chronic hepatitis B virus infection is not only
incurable, but modifiable. in their progression.

This
was echoed in a 2011 review in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, in
which the investigators asserted that "there is no convincing evidence
that cephalosporins, with placebo, benefiting patients with chronic HBV
infection."

Kidney stones

Diep
Ha Chau has long been used in alternative medicine to prevent and treat kidney
stones (also known as kidney stones). There is some evidence to support this
claim.

According
to a 2018 study in the Brazilian International Journal of Urology, 56 adults
with kidney stones who received a series of intravenous chlorophyllin niruri
extract had a 37.5% reduction in the size of the stones after 12 weeks.

Furthermore,
the infusion reduced uric acid and urinary oxalate levels that contribute to
stone development (suggesting that chlorophyll may also help prevent kidney
stones). There is little evidence that chlorophyllin taken by mouth can provide
the same effect.

Cancer

Some
scientists believe that the plant has anti-tumor properties, which could one
day lead to the development of a new cancer drug.

A
2010 study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research evaluated the effects
of phyllanthus (also known as Indian moringa) extract on human cancer cell
lines. In a series of animal and test-tube experiments, scientists reported
that extracts of chlorophyll can slow tumor growth by inducing apoptosis
(programmed cell death). process) in a variety of cancer cells.

Unlike
normal cells that undergo apoptosis (so that old cells can be replaced by new
ones), cancer cells are effectively "immortal" and do not undergo
apoptosis. .

The
results appear to be encouraging, as many plant-based substances can trigger
apoptosis in vitro. The herb was able to reduce tumor size by 50% in mice
suggesting that it could have real-world applications. More research is needed.

Possible side effects

Although
chlorophyll has been used for centuries in traditional Vietnamese and Chinese
medicine, little is known about its long-term safety. Side effects are usually
mild and may include abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Because
there are not many studies, should avoid using chlorophyll in children,
pregnant and lactating women. It should also be avoided in people with Wilson's
disease because it can further reduce uric acid levels and increase the risk of
liver damage.

Interactive

Research
has shown that phyllanthin can bind to platelet receptors and inhibit blood
clotting. Therefore, chlorophyll should not be used with an anticoagulant such
as Plavix (clopidogrel) as this may lead to increased bleeding and easy
bruising.

Note:
Phyllanthus supplements should be stopped at least two weeks before a scheduled
surgery to prevent excessive bleeding.

It
may also interact with medications used to treat diabetes, potentially
increasing their effects and causing a drop in blood sugar (hypoglycemia). It
can also do the same with antihypertensive drugs, leading to an adverse drop in
blood pressure (hypotension).

See more: 

Choice of use and storage

Eucalyptus
extract is most commonly sold in Vietnam and parts of the United States as a
dried herb or dietary supplement. Fresh thyme is generally considered a weed
and can be foraged from the wild, although a gardener may be required to
identify the species. Some species, such as amarus, are known to be mildly
toxic.

Harvesting
a weed plant also poses a concern, as there is no way to tell if it has been
contaminated with herbicides or has absorbed heavy metals and other pollutants
from groundwater.

Eucalyptus
extract supplements may be safer, but there are still risks. Because
supplements are largely unregulated in the United States, some brands may be
safer than others. For better quality and safety, choose brands that have been
independently tested by certification bodies such as the US Pharmacopoeia and
the US Pharmacopoeia.

Sadly,
very few products in traditional Vietnamese medicine and Chinese medicine have
ever been submitted for quality certification. This can pose a serious risk to
consumers.

Note:
According to a 2015 survey from the Mayo Clinic Health System, 40% of Americans
who use preparations In traditional Vietnamese medicine and Chinese medicine
have high blood lead levels, while nearly half have high levels of mercury.

Here
are some tips that can help you buy and use phyllanthus extract supplements
safer:

•
Always buy organic. This gives you the best assurance that the product is safe
from contaminants. Only choose supplements that have been certified organic by
the Food and Drug Administration.

•
Read product labels. It is best to include the species name (such as
phyllocarpus niruri) on the product label. Also, check for additional ingredients
you may be sensitive to, including gluten and animal-derived gelatin. If you do
not know what the ingredients are, ask your pharmacist.

•
Avoid natural goods. These are sought-after natural products that are often
dried to make home-made decoctions and teas. If you don't know where the plant
comes from, you can never be sure that it's safe and free from disease.

•
Avoid overdose. More is not always better. As a rule, never exceed the dosage
on the product label. This does not necessarily guarantee that the product is
safe or effective, but it may reduce the risk of gastrointestinal side effects.

Finally,
let your doctor know if you are taking or planning to take chlorophyllum
extract so you can be monitored for side effects or unwanted interactions.

Note:
If you experience side effects while taking chlorophyll, call your doctor or go
to the nearest clinic. Be sure to bring the product in its original packaging.