How does it feel?
Bhumiamalaki is an erect tropical annual herb, growing 40 -70cm height. It is glabrous and stems often branch from the base. It is commonly found in coastal areas and edges of cultivated fields.
The leaves are small green, elliptic oblong shaped, obtuse and they are arranged alternatively on each side of the stem. They resemble those of Amalaki.
The flowers are yellowish, small and axillary. These are unisexual and the male flowers are one to three in number while the female flowers are solitary in nature.
The fruit is a smooth capsule, very small (2 – 3mm in diameter) depressed globose, smooth and scarcely lobed.
All around the world the actions of traditional medicines were understood by their immediate sensory impacts. Click on each of bhumiamalaki’s key qualities below to learn more:
What can I use it for?
Ayurveda considers the plant astringent, sour and cooling in action.
Bhumiamalaki is a small herb, having wide range of medicinal properties thanks to its good range of bioactive molecules such as lignans, flavonoids, triterpenes and tannins.
Traditionally this plant is used for treating liver related diseases, such as chronic hepatitis. But, it can be used for treating kidney stones, gallbladder stones or as a diuretic, correcting any obstructions in the urinary flow and reducing urinary infections or any burning sensations.
The whole plant is used in gonorrhoea, menorrhagia and other genital affections.
Extracts of Bhumiamalaki can encourage a good inflammation response, particularly within the digestive system and it is used as a stomachic, anti-spasmodic, laxative and carminative, reducing constipation or dysentery.
Into the heart of bhumiamalaki
Bhumiamalaki it is a hypotensive and hepato protective and it has antiviral activities against hepatitis B. It has been reported to exhibit marked antihepatitis B virus surface antigen activity in vivo and in vitro studies. Its protein fractions protect liver tissues against oxidative stress by improving ant oxidative defence.
Bhumiamalaki is an excellent remedy for stones interfering in the growth and aggregation of calcium oxalate crystals and preventing the growth of calculi.

It can also decrease the urinary calcium levels and the excess uric acid thanks to the action of the lignans.
The leaves contain an alkaloid (phyllanthoside) which has a strong antispasmodic activity, helping to relax the smooth muscles in the digestive tract and to reduce hyperacidity and inflammations. Bhumiamalaki is used also to increase appetite and produce laxative effects or reducing dysentery symptoms, thanks to its bitter, sweet and astringent properties. It’s bitter taste but sweet post digestive effect (vipaka) also make it an effective astringent.
Bhumiamalaki demostrates lipid-lowering activities in those with high cholesterol levels.
Did you know?
Numerous studies indicate that bhumiamalaki from India should be used – the species found in India is actually Phyllanthus amarus but it is often erroneously named as Phyllanthus niuri. This variety is actually native to the West Indies and is not found in India.
The juice of the roots along with milk consumed twice a day, early in the morning and at bedtime, is a good cure for jaundice.
Additional information
Safety
No drug herb interactions are known.
Traditional actions
Traditional Ayurvedic characteristics are
- Rasa (taste) Bitter, astringent, sweet.
- Virya (action) Cooling.
- Vipaka (post-digestive effect) Sweet.
- Guna (quality) Dry, light.
- Dosha effect: strengthens pitta, and reduces excessive vata
- Dhatu (tissue) Plasma, blood, fat, reproductive.
- Srotas (channels) Digestive, reproductive, urinary.
Dosage
Tincture: 5–15ml of a 1:5 @ 25% tincture.
Dried: 1–6g/day.