stone chanca (Philanthus niruri) is a plant that has been used as a herbal medicine for centuries. They are referred to by many different names, including windstorm, shattered rock, and carry-me-seed.
Found naturally in tropical areas of the world, chanca piedra is a common ingredient in herbal remedies for kidney stones. The Spanish name chanca piedra translates to stone breaking.
In addition to treating kidney stones, Ayurvedic or folk medicine practitioners have historically used chanca piedra for its purported antiviral, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, and liver protective properties. In these alternative medicine practices, chanca piedra has been used to treat a variety of conditions, including hepatitis B, stomach disorders, and bladder infections.
However, modern evidence for the effectiveness of chanca piedra – even when it comes to the herb’s main use against kidney stones – is lacking.
There are claims that chanca piedra can help treat a number of health conditions, including gonorrhea and diabetes. However, there is limited research to support these claims.
For most conditions, there is not enough reliable evidence to determine whether chanca piedra would be effective. Most studies of the plant’s potential benefits have been done on animals or cells; more clinical research is needed to determine how well it works, if at all, in humans.
One condition research suggests chanca piedra may help with is kidney stones. Kidney stones are hard pieces of material that can form in the kidneys when your urine has high levels of certain minerals, such as calcium. As the stone moves out of your kidney and through the tubes that connect to your bladder, the stones can block the flow of urine. This blockage can cause pain in the abdomen or side of the back.
Although the research is mixed, most studies have shown that taking chanca piedra can help pass kidney stones through your system, in part by reducing the size of the stone. For example, one small study involving 56 adults found that 68% of people who drank “stone busting tea” twice a day for 12 weeks had fewer kidney stones. The stone breaking tea was 250 milliliters (mL) of water infused with a tea bag containing 4.5 grams of dry chanca piedra extract.
Whether chanca piedra can help treat kidney stones may depend on factors such as the severity of the stone, its location, and the formula and dose of chanca piedra used.
Because it is not a traditional medicine, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not approved chanca piedra for the treatment of kidney stones or any other condition.
The chanca piedra plant grows 30-40 centimeters (cm) tall and has green, oblong leaves 7-12 cm long. Each stem has several tiny, grayish-white greenish seed flowers. The whole plant is used for its purported medicinal benefits. The active ingredients are extracted from the plant and are available for use in the following forms:
- Tea bags/bags
- Capsules
- Tablets
- Liquid concentrate
Tea bags are the most commonly used form in studies measuring the effectiveness of chanca piedra.
Dosage
There are no standard doses for chanca piedra. Different products offer different dosages.
Researchers used different doses when testing the effectiveness of the herb. In one study of its effects on liver function, people took one 500-milligram capsule of chanca piedra twice a day for four weeks. In another clinical study on its effect on kidney stones, people steeped a 4.5 gram tea bag of chanca piedre tea in 250ml of water and drank it twice a day for 12 weeks.
Follow the recommended dosage as listed on the label unless otherwise directed by your healthcare provider.
Chanca piedra appears to be safe when taken orally in doses up to 2 grams per day for up to three months. Further research is needed to determine whether it is safe to take the daily schedule for longer than three months.
It may not be safe to take chanca piedra before or during pregnancy, especially in high doses. Animal studies suggest the supplement may have contraceptive effects, making it harder to get pregnant if you’re trying. Chanca piedra may also increase the risk of low birth weight or birth defects.
There is not enough information to confirm whether this supplement is safe to take while breastfeeding, so it is recommended that you avoid it during that stage.
It is important to follow the directions for use listed on the label. Always consult your doctor before taking chanca piedra or any other supplement.
Potential drug interactions
If you are currently taking medication for a medical condition such as high blood pressure (hypertension) or diabetes, you will want to talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting chanca piedra.
Drugs that can potentially interact with chanca piedra include:
- anticoagulants: Chanca piedra is thought to have anti-clotting properties that may increase the risk of bleeding if you are taking a blood thinner such as warfarin (sold under brand names such as Jantoven and Coumadin).
- diuretics: Chanca piedra can affect how your body gets rid of fluids. Taking water pills such as Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide) can increase this effect.
- Medicines for diabetes: Taking medicines that help lower blood sugar, such as Amaryl (glimepiride), with chanca piedra may increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).
- Medicines for high blood pressure: Taking medicines to treat high blood pressure with chanca piedra may increase the risk of hypotension (low blood pressure).
This list does not include all medications that may interact with chanca piedra. If you are unsure about potential interactions with your current medications, call your doctor or pharmacist to discuss.
What to look for
Before you buy chanca piedra, talk to your doctor to make sure it’s the right supplement for you. Dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA like traditional medicines, so here are some tips to keep in mind when looking for chanca piedra supplements:
- Additions differ: Not all chanca piedra products have the same amount of active ingredient. Talk to your provider about which formulation would be best for you.
- Make sure your product has the stamp of quality: Look for a seal of quality from ConsumerLab, NSF International, or the US Pharmacopeia. These are independent organizations that conduct quality testing. Supplement quality testing is optional, so a third-party quality seal means that the manufacturer puts the product through testing to ensure that the ingredients on the label are the only ingredients in the product.
- Read the label: Make sure you are getting the correct product. Check the ingredients list on the label.
Can you take too much?
There is not enough information to determine how much chanca piedra is too much to take. Clinical studies tested the effects of the supplement for only three months. More studies are needed to determine the maximum dose.
It is important to read the label to determine how much and how often you should take chanca piedra. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise.
Chanca piedra seems to be generally well tolerated.
In one small study, most people who took chanca piedra reported stomach pain. Other less common side effects that have been reported include painful urination, blood in the urine, and nausea.
Another small study found vomiting, fatigue, and impaired vision as side effects some people experienced after taking the supplement.
Additional larger studies are needed to further evaluate the possible effects of taking chanca piedra.
Chanca piedra is an herb used to make an herbal supplement that can be effective in treating kidney stones. There have been other purported health benefits of chanca piedra over the years, including the ability to treat hepatitis B and diabetes, but no research has supported these claims. More human research is needed to confirm the health benefits of chanca piedra.
If you are interested in trying chanca piedra, talk to your health care provider. The supplement seems relatively safe, but your doctor can talk to you about how it might interact with any medications you’re taking, whether there are any safety issues to be aware of, or what side effects to expect.