Chanca piedra for kidney and gallstones: what happens if you take it?

Having kidney stones or gallstones is a painful and worrying experience. Faced with this problem, many people look for natural solutions and hear about chanca piedra (Phyllanthus niruri), a plant traditionally used in herbal medicine for kidney and digestive health. But what really happens if you take it when you already have stones?

Chanca piedra and kidney stones
The kidneys are the most studied organs in relation to this plant.

• Main action: helps relax the urinary tract and increase urine output.

• Key benefit: may promote the expulsion of small stones and prevent new ones from forming.

• Preliminary studies: suggest it reduces calcium oxalate crystallization, one of the most common compounds in kidney stones.
  👉 In cases of small stones, chanca piedra may help reduce pain and speed up their passage.

Chanca piedra and gallstones (gallbladder)
The evidence for gallstones is more limited than for kidney stones.

• May stimulate bile production and flow, improving fat digestion.

• Thought to reduce cholesterol saturation in bile, a factor linked to stone formation.

• However, it is not recommended as the sole option for large or complicated gallstones, as it may trigger colic when trying to move them.

What happens if you take chanca piedra with stones?

• Kidneys: may relieve symptoms, reduce spasms, and support the expulsion of small stones.

• Gallbladder: may help in early stages, but with large or multiple stones, the risk of colic increases.

• Caution: it should always be a complement, not a substitute for medical care.

Important precautions

• Do not use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

• Avoid if you have low blood pressure or take medications to lower blood pressure.

• May interact with anticoagulants and liver medications.

• Use should be temporary (4–8 weeks), not indefinite.

Chanca piedra is a natural ally that may help expel small kidney stones and prevent new ones, as well as offer some protective effects for the gallbladder. However, it does not replace medical attention in cases of large stones or complications.

If you suffer from kidney or gallstones, talk to your doctor about using chanca piedra as natural support, always combined with a balanced diet and proper hydration.