Phyllanthus amarus

Phyllanthus amarus Schumach. & Thonn.

Common Name: Gale-of-Wind
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Vernacular Names: Jangli amli – Hindi., Kila nelli – Tamil., Keezhanelli – Malayalam
Synonyms: Phyllanthus niruri var. amarus., Diasperus nanus (Hook.f.) Kuntze.
Plant Description: P. amarus is a small, annual plant that grows to a height of 30 – 60 cm. Its thin branches spread out and each branch has two rows of small, elliptic- oblong leaves of 5 – 10 mm long that are arranged alternately. Its radial flowers are star-shaped.
Distribution and Habitat: P. amarus is a leafy herbal plant found in tropical regions in the Americas, Africa, India, China and Sri Lanka.
Uses:
P. amarus has been used in the traditional medicine for the treatment of gallstones and kidney stones, bronchitis, anemia, diabetes, diarrhea, kidney ailments and gonorrhea.