# Tamalaki

> Tamalaki (Phyllanthus niruri L. / Phyllanthus amarus Schum. & Thonn.) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Phyllanthaceae (formerly Euphorbiaceae) family. WHO monograph exists for Phyllanthus species in some regional pharmacopoeias; recognized in Ayurvedic, Chinese, and Brazilian pharmacopoeias; extensive global ethnomedicinal documentation.

## Key facts

- **Botanical name:** Phyllanthus niruri L. / Phyllanthus amarus Schum. & Thonn.
- **Family:** Phyllanthaceae (formerly Euphorbiaceae)
- **Pharmacopoeia status:** WHO monograph exists for Phyllanthus species in some regional pharmacopoeias; recognized in Ayurvedic, Chinese, and Brazilian pharmacopoeias; extensive global ethnomedicinal documentation

## Names and identification

| Language | Name |
|----------|------|
| English | Tamalaki |
| Latin/Botanical | *Phyllanthus niruri L. / Phyllanthus amarus Schum. & Thonn.* |

## Key Phytochemical Constituents

- [Phyllanthin](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#phyllanthin) (major lignan)
- [Hypophyllanthin](/glossary/compounds-g-l/#hypophyllanthin) (lignan)
- Phyltetralin (lignan)
- Niranthin (lignan)
- Gallic acid
- Ellagic acid
- [Quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/) and [rutin](/glossary/compounds-q-t/#rutin)
- Geraniin (ellagitannin)
- [Corilagin](/glossary/compounds-c-d/#corilagin)
- [Alkaloids](/glossary/compounds-1-a/#alkaloids) (securinine, norsecurinine)

## How does it work?

- Antiviral mechanism: inhibition of hepatitis B virus DNA polymerase, preventing viral replication; also demonstrated activity against HIV reverse transcriptase
- [Hepatoprotective](/reference/hepatoprotective/) mechanism through Nrf2 pathway activation upregulating [antioxidant](/reference/antioxidant/) defense [enzymes](/glossary/compounds-d-g/#enzymes), combined with NF-kB and MAPK pathway modulation reducing hepatic inflammation
- Antilithiatic mechanism through inhibition of calcium oxalate crystal formation and growth, combined with [diuretic](/reference/diuretic/) and uricosuric actions reducing stone-forming potential
- [Anticancer](/reference/anticancer/) synergy: phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin modulate P-glycoprotein efflux and sensitize resistant cancer cells to chemotherapeutic agents

## Which traditional uses are supported by research?

- Antilithiatic (kidney stone breaking) activity validated through clinical trials showing reduced stone recurrence, confirming premier traditional use as [Pashanabheda](/herb/pashanabheda/) (stone breaker)
- Hepatoprotective and antiviral (Hepatitis B) properties extensively validated through in vitro and clinical studies, confirming traditional use in liver diseases (Yakrit Vikara)
- Anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties validated through multiple pharmacological studies, confirming traditional Ayurvedic uses in urinary and inflammatory conditions

## What do recent clinical trials show?

- Dhawan S, Olweny EO 2020. [Phyllanthus niruri (stone breaker) herbal therapy for kidney stones; a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical efficacy, and Google Trends analysis of public interest](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32333735/). *The Canadian journal of urology*. PMID [32333735](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32333735/)  
  Systematic review and meta-analysis provided limited but supportive clinical evidence for modest efficacy in reducing kidney stone burden, with one RCT showing 62% reduction in stone recurrence with 500 mg twice daily over 12 months.
- Abdel-Sattar OE, Allam RM, Al-Abd AM and others 2023. [Hypophyllanthin and Phyllanthin from Phyllanthus niruri Synergize Doxorubicin Anticancer Properties against Resistant Breast Cancer Cells](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37576627/). *ACS omega*. PMID [37576627](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37576627/) · [doi:10.1021/acsomega.3c02953](https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.3c02953)  
  Demonstrated synergistic anticancer activity of phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin with doxorubicin against resistant breast cancer cell lines, suggesting potential as chemotherapy adjuvants.

*1 further claim previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and has been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.*

## Recent safety updates

- Generally well-tolerated in clinical studies at doses up to 500 mg twice daily for 12 months; mild GI effects (nausea, diarrhea) reported occasionally; hypoglycemic potential requires monitoring in diabetic patients on medication
- Rare reports of allergic reactions; should be used cautiously during pregnancy due to traditional abortifacient reputation of some Phyllanthus species; potential herb-drug interactions with anticoagulants and [antihypertensive](/glossary/pharmacology/#antihypertensive) medications

## Dosage forms and preparation

**Dosage Forms:** Churna (powder), Capsule, Tablet, Kwatha (decoction), Svarasa (fresh juice), Dry extract capsule, Syrup

**Standard Dosage:** 3-6 g powder twice daily; 50-100 mL decoction twice daily; 10-20 mL fresh juice once daily

**Bioavailability:** Phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin show moderate oral bioavailability (~25-35%) due to moderate lipophilicity and significant hepatic first-pass metabolism via CYP3A4. Bioavailability improves with [piperine](/reference/piperine/) co-administration (up to 1.5-fold increase). Lignans are well absorbed from GI tract but undergo extensive glucuronidation. [Tannins](/reference/tannins/) may bind to [proteins](/glossary/compounds-o-q/#proteins) reducing availability of co-administered compounds.

**Optimal Timing:** Before meals on empty stomach for hepatoprotective effect; morning administration preferred for diuretic action

**Standardized Extract:** Standardized aqueous or hydroethanolic extract containing minimum 2.0% phyllanthin and 1.0% hypophyllanthin by HPLC; total tannins >8% (as gallic acid equivalent)

**Shelf Life:** Fresh juice: 24-48 hours refrigerated; Powder: 12 months; Dry extract capsules: 24-36 months; Syrup: 18 months

**Storage:** Store in airtight containers at 15-25 deg C, protected from light and moisture. Fresh juice must be refrigerated at 2-8 deg C and used within 48 hours.

**Marker Compounds:** Phyllanthin, Hypophyllanthin, Niranthin, Phyltetralin, Gallic acid, Ellagic acid, Corilagin, [Quercetin](/reference/quercetinquercetin/)

### Extraction Methods

- Hydroethanolic extraction (50-70% ethanol)
- Aqueous decoction
- Maceration in methanol for lignan enrichment
- Supercritical CO2 extraction for phyllanthin-rich fraction
- Spray drying of aqueous extract for instant formulations

### Synergistic Combinations

- Bhumi Amalaki (Phyllanthus niruri) - hepatoprotective synergy
- [Katuki](/herb/katuki/) (Picrorhiza kurroa) - enhanced hepatoprotection
- [Guduchi](/herb/guduchi/) (Tinospora cordifolia) - [immunomodulatory](/reference/immunomodulatory/) potentiation
- [Bhumyamalaki](/herb/bhumyamalaki/) + [Kalmegh](/herb/kalmegh/) (Andrographis) - complementary liver support

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Canonical version of this page: https://nighantu.ageayurveda.com/herb/tamalaki/

## Sources

- Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database (700+ herbs, CC-BY-4.0)
- Web research (clinical trials, WHO monographs, safety databases)
- Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India

Published by Age Ayurveda in the Nighantu. Educational reference only, not medical advice.
Incorporates material from the Amidha Ayurveda Herb Database under CC BY 4.0.