Local human trials of Phyllanthus amarus shows that it has great healing potentials, from blood purifying effects to the treatment of malaria, haemorrhoids, jaundice, diabetes and sexually transmitted diseases reports CHUKWUMA MUANYA

THE plant is known to botanists, as phyllanthus amarus. It belongs to the group of plants generally classified as euphorbiaceae. To the Efik it is called oyomokeso amanke edem, Hausa geeron-tsuntsaayee (birds millet), Igbo (Asaba) buchi oro, Ibo (Umuahia) ngwu, Urhobo Iyeke, and Yoruba ehin olobe or eyin olobe probably because the small flowers and the fruits of the plant are attached to the lower or backside of the leaf stalk.

Botanists at the department of Botany and Microbiology, University of Lagos, Akoka, described phyllanthus amarus as a herb common from Sierra Leone to Southern Nigeria and Fernando Po, and widespread in most parts of tropical Africa.

According to a botanist, Dr. Dotun Adekunle, it is a weed of cultivated land and in waste spaces. It is also said to have sand-binding properties

To Dr. Godwin Ihesie of ElizKaf Herbal Home, Ijaiye-Ogba, Lagos, one of the most common distinguishing characteristics of the plant is that the small leaves attached to the stalk opens up at about 6.30 to 7.00 a.m. and closes up at about 6.30 p.m.

Phytochemical analysis of phyllanthus amarus by pharmacognosists at the Pharmacognosy Laboratory College of Medicine University of Lagos (CMUL), Idi-Araba, shows that the whole plant is very bitter due to the presence of a group of substances such as alkaloid, sesquiterpene, essential oils, phyllanthine. These substances, according to the Senior Laboratory Attendant, Mr. Isaac Adeleke, are generally referred to as having bitter principle.

Ihesie told The Guardian that local clinical trials of phyllanthus amarus in ElizKaf Herbal Home shows that it possesses a very active blood cleansing property, increases the elimination of waste from the blood and the body through the kidneys, lungs, skin and liver. The blood purifying effects of phyllanthus amarus, he said is enhanced by mixing equal quantity of it with chickweed (Stellaria media). This mixture according to Ihesie, when used as an infusion could help those suffering from weight related arthritis or rheumatism.

Ihesie continued: "phyllanthus is one bitter tonic herb, which helps in promoting the function of the liver. It is one of the herbs recommended in most liver disorder especially, in acute phases of viral hepatitis jaundice. Even after recovery from the disease, it is often taken orally for a long period in order to help prevent the degenerative changes that might later occur in the liver due to the viral infection. Such changes include the cirrhosis of the liver or the cancer of the liver.

"Phyllanthus is one of the oral herbal infusions - often recommended for those who indulge in excessive intake of alcohol and heavy red meat consumers.

"Because of the blood purifying effects and the liver function enhancing activities, the herb is very useful in the treatment of both benign and malignant tumours.

"Like most bitter tonic herbs, phyllanthus has remarkable anti-microbial properties. As we had noted above, it is useful in the treatment of viral hepatitis because of its antiviral effects.

"An alcohol extraction of the plant has been found to be very useful in the treatment of staphylococcus aureus.

"The herb is mixed with Balsam pear (Momordica charantia). It becomes effective against most of the organism that causes vaginitis. It brings down the fever associated with malaria. As an effective anti-malaria - it mixes well with lemon grass, mistletoe, balsam pear and chickweed.

"A decoction of the whole herb with spring onions, sweetened with honey is effective in the treatment of spasmodic coughs in children - particularly, when the cough results in vomiting.

"The fresh juice extracted from the plant together with those from balsam pear has a mild hypoglycaemic (reduces blood sugar) effect and therefore, the mixture of the juices is beneficial to diabetic patients.

"When equal quantity of the dried herb is mixed with that of mistletoe and taken daily as an infusion, helps in strengthening the weakness of the male organ. This mixture has also been found very useful in case of female infertility - particularly when it is hormone related.

"Phyllanthus is an effective diuretic agent that combines anti-microbial qualities in one. When the herb is combined with lemon grass or dried powered ginger, it induces frequent urination and because of this, it is recommended for water retention or edematous swellings."

To Dr. Chinyere Ogbonna of Ugo Herbal Home, Festac Town, Lagos, phyllanthus amarus is of general medicinal application. " It features in an incantation against disease. It is an ingredient of agbo prescription in Lagos. An infusion of leaves is used for haemorrhoids. The infusion is prepared with addition of citrus juice and powdered fruits of Xylopia aethiopica (Spice tree or uda in Igbo). The plant when reduced to paste is to prepare vaginal suppositories to induce menstruation and the powdered plant administered by enema to infants is considered a poison antidote.

"The plant is also used for difficult childbirth, for oedemas and to counter costal and fever pains and sore-throat. The whole plant is taken for blennorrhoea, oliguria and venereal diseases. The sap is taken in draught for costal pains, tachycardia, blennorrhoea and female sterility, by ear-instillation for otitis, and by topical application to maturate furuncles and abscesses. A cold leaf-infusion is taken to relieve stomach-pains."

According to a homeopath, Dr. Osmond Onyeka of National Council of Physicians of Natural Medicine (NCPNM), appropriate use of phyllanthus amarus at home is encouraged since such could help eliminate waste from the body and restore the activity of the liver (the regulator of our health); help build the right kind of blood. And to help tone the glands in the body and build up the innate defence systems; and above all, help in preventing some common health problems that might turn out later to be a major life threatening illness.

Onyeka said phyllanthus amarus is one of the herbs that have been used safely at homes, right from the time when people adhered to their native foods, ate and drank moderately, and therefore, suffered no complicated health problems - to these days, when eating habits, lifestyles, among other things, have become so complicated with the associated complex and complicated degenerative diseases. "It is not known to be harmful even when it is consumed in relatively large amounts for few days during an acute attack of certain common diseases," he said