by Dr Nikhil Natayil, Master in Ayurvedic Pharmaceutics and Herbs
At Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru, you might be looking at an incredible renowned healing herb nestled amid nature without even realising it. Phyllanthus niruri, for instance, is a wonderful herb widely grown in the island’s tropical interior. Documented in old Ayurvedic manuscripts as Bhumi amalaki, its current name of “stonebreaker”—or chanca piedra in Spanish, as it is most commonly known stems from its history as an effective cure for kidney stones, an important benefit with around 8.8% of the world’s population suffering from the condition at some point, and half of those patients expected to face a recurrent case.
Benefits of Phyllanthus Niruri
But Phyllanthus niruri has multidimensional therapeutic benefits, including as a treatment for urinary tract infections, thanks to its effect when ingested of increasing the urinary excretion of magnesium and potassium while significantly decreasing oxalate and uric acid.
Chanca Piedra, widely available around the world in powder form or as extract capsules, is also an effective remedy for liver disorders. It helps to reverse the damage of liver cells in diseases like alcoholic and nonalcoholic liver cirrhosis, fatty liver, and hepatitis. The herb can also be used as a preventive measure for developing high cholesterol levels by balancing fat metabolism. Furthermore, it is beneficial in treating gastritis and ulcers due to its wound-healing properties, and it also helps to balance hyperacidity in the stomach.
Herbal drinks at Landaa Giraavaru & AyurMa
At AyurMa, we use this herb in our extensive detox programs in the form of fresh juice to treat conditions like fatty liver and urinary tract infections, and to give guests with high lipid profiles.
The freshly collected herb is blended with water (or with a small quantity of low-fat yogurt to make it more palatable) and is administered one or two times daily for the desired therapeutic effects. The dry powder of the herb meanwhile is given as a tea to enhance lipid metabolism and liver function, and also to help guests who suffer from kidney stones.
To find out more about the many healing herbs of Landaa Giraavaru and how they can be used to benefit you, please contact the AyurMa team here or follow us on Instagram for more wellness-related tips!