Phyllanthus Species, Gale of the Wind, Seed-Under-Leaf, Stone Breaker

Phyllanthus niruri is also called Chanca piedra, which in Spanish translates to Stone Breaker. In all my readings (scientific articles) o...Read Moref this particular species, I've not ready anything about this plant being toxic for consumption. This highly prized herb is starting to get recognition in the west and a it seems a few scientists in the westernized world are finally getting around to investigating it's (possibly) high benefits at healing many blood disorders, including viruses from what I've been reading in the Taiwanese Scientific updated new letters.
The Phyllanthus genus contains over 600 species of shrubs, trees, and annual or biennial herbs distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of both hemispheres. Unfortunately, there remains a great deal of confusion among scientists regarding plant identification and, in many cases, plant misidentification makes evaluation of published information difficult.
In parts of Asia this plant has been used for thousands of years for it's health benefits. Near the south western province of Yunnan this plant is now being recognized as the location of this herb and many people throughout Asia are only now learning of the plants benefits at healing hepatitis that has plagued over a hundred million Chinese citizens.
The whole plant is useable as an medicinal herb and of course the market is already loaded with manufactured capsules/pills for purchase. You could use the whole plant as a tea or concoct an extract for shelf life.
This plant also grows in tropical areas such as Hawaii (my homeland) but unfortunately most has been killed off with poison because no one seemed to know of it's health benefits.
Seems our drug companies aren't too keen on spending money for research of a plant that is easily grown in tropical climates and this is a pity. Learning about plants and their specialties is pure joy

This is a noxious weed in tropical places, but, for some, a welcome one. It is used in many ways, in several parts of the world as medici...Read Morenal. The common name "Stone Braker" comes from the uses of this plant against kidney stones and general urinary problems.

But, as most Euphorbiaceae, it´s not safe to make your own medicine out of this plant without professional supervision, since it can be dangerously poisonous.

The plant looks like a short Leguminosae, with aparently composite leaves - actually, these are branches with tiny leaves disposed almost oposite to each other. The sap is transparent. The flowers are tiny, white, and has separate sex, though male and female flowers may occur in the same inflorescence. They are grouped on the axyl of the small leaves (which gave it the name Phyllanthus - "flower on leaf"). The seed heads have 6 seeds that will be thrown away when it ripes, being dispersed in a quite large radius, and will germinate wherever it find little organic soil. It´s also hard to get rid of, once it´s estabilished.