Phyllanthus urinaria is a perennial plant that grows in tropical areas and is widely used in traditional medicine. Some studies have shown that the plant has therapeutic benefits and known to have anticancer, antidiabetic, antimicrobial and cardioprotective properties. The broad leave plant can make a great addition to your garden. Follow this guide on how to take care of Phyllanthus urinaria at home.
See also: Argemone Mexicana medicinal uses and plant care tips
Phyllanthus urinaria: Quick facts
| Plant name | Phyllanthus urinaria |
| Common names | Chamber Bitter, Gripeweed, Shatterstone, Stonebreaker, Leafflower |
| Family | Phyllanthaceae |
| Found in | United States |
| Flower colour | Greenish white |
| Fruit | Small, round, and green-reddish fruits |
| Benefits | Medicinal properties |
see also about: vernonia amygdalina
Phyllanthus urinaria: Plant description
- Phyllanthus urinaria grows up to a height of two feet.
- It has an alternate arrangement of leaves that are larger around the tip and smaller towards the petiole.
- One of the features of the Chamber Bitter plant is that its leaves are closed at night and open during the day.
- The plant produces small flowers that grow at the axillae of leaves and seed capsules.
- It has an extensive root system with high shade tolerance.
Subspecies
Phyllanthus urinaria has three known subspecies, namely Phyllanthus urinaria urinaria, Phyllanthus urinaria nudicarpus and Phyllanthus urinaria hookeri.
see: All about Perennial Plants
Phyllanthus urinaria: Germination
The process of a plant growing from its seed is called germination. Phyllanthus urinaria is an annual plant. It germinates from early summer to early fall.
Phyllanthus urinaria: Plant care
- Soil: Phyllanthus urinaria plant requires well-drained and warm soil for growth. It grows well in fertile, sandy soil.
- Sunlight: Keep the plant in an area exposed to full sunlight.
- Water: The plant grows in warm and humid conditions. It must be watered regularly.
Phyllanthus urinaria: Uses
There have been several scientific studies that suggest that Phyllanthus urinaria has effective medicinal properties that help in preventing many disorders.
- Medicinal herbs such as Phyllanthus urinaria have properties that help in treating different types of cancer.
- The use of alternative treatment for treating diabetes mellitus is growing. Some studies show that Phyllanthus urinaria can work as an antidiabetic agent.
- In India, Phyllanthus urinaria is known to work as a good diuretic.
- The plant is crushed and used as fish poison.
- The leaves of Phyllanthus urinaria and black pepper are known to be useful in curing malarial fever.
FAQs
Is Phyllanthus urinaria a weed?
Phyllanthus urinaria plant is a common weed. In some regions, it is regarded as a competitive weed due to its high number of seeds.
Is Phyllanthus urinaria good for health?
Phyllanthus urinaria is a herbal plant, which has been used in folk medicine. The plant, including its roots, leaves, and fruits, has been used to treat various health problems.