Phyllanthus urinaria L.
Aliases：Zhēn Zhū Cǎo (Pearl Grass); Rì Kāi Yè Bì (Day-opening Night-closing Herb); Yīn Yáng Cǎo (Yin-Yang Herb); Jiǎ Yóu Gān (False Chinese Gall); Zhēn Zhū Cǎo (True Pearl Grass); Yè Hé Cǎo (Night-closing Herb); Gān Jī Cǎo (Malnutrition Herb), among others.
Yè Xià Zhū (Under-leaf Pearl) is a Chinese medicinal herb. It is the whole plant with roots of Phyllanthus urinaria L., a plant of the Euphorbiaceae family. It is named “Under-leaf Pearl” because its leaves are arranged on both sides of the branchlets and its fruits are hidden beneath the leaves.
Efficacy & Actions
Clears heat and detoxifies; promotes diuresis and reduces edema; improves eyesight; resolves accumulation.
Indications
Digestive System: Dysentery, diarrhea, jaundice, and infantile malnutrition (childhood wasting disorder characterized by poor digestion and weight loss). Urinary System: Edema, heat strangury, and stone strangury (urinary tract infections and stones). Ophthalmic Conditions: Red and swollen eyes, and night blindness. Others: Sores, ulcers, toxic swellings, and venomous snake bites.
Modern Pharmacology
Hepatoprotective effect: Provides protective effects against viral hepatitis and chemical-induced liver injury. Antitumor effect: Exhibits inhibitory effects against various cancer cells, including liver cancer, lung cancer, and gastric cancer. Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial effects. Anti-fatigue effect.
Ingredients
Phenolic Acids: Gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, etc. Flavonoids: Quercetin, kaempferol, rutin, etc. Others: Tannins, sterols, lignans, etc.
Usage & Dosage
Standard Dosage: For oral administration as a decoction, the standard dosage is 15–30g. When used for edema, the dosage may be increased to 60–90g. Topical Application: Appropriate amount, mashed for external application
Contraindications
Use with caution in patients with spleen-stomach deficiency, as the herb is cool in nature. Excessive use may cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, and other discomforts.
Selected Formulas
For dysentery, enteritis, and diarrhea (Southern Medicine, Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take 30g each of Yexiazhu (Phyllanthus urinaria) and Tiexiancai (Acalypha australis). Decoct in water, add an appropriate amount of sugar and drink; or combine with Laoguancao (Geranium) and take. For jaundice (Jiangxi Herbal Medicine Manual) Take 60g of fresh Yexiazhu, 90g of fresh Mabiancao (Verbena), and 60g of fresh Banbianlian (Lobelia). Decoct in water and drink. For hepatitis (Fujian Materia Medica) Take 60g each of fresh Yexiazhu and fresh Huangdancao (a local herb), 7 freshwater snails, 1 duck liver, and 60g of rock sugar. Stew in water and consume. For night blindness (Fujian Materia Medica) Take 30-60g of fresh Yexiazhu, 120g of animal liver, and 9g of Cangzhu (Atractylodes). Stew in water and consume. For infantile malnutrition (gan) (Fujian Materia Medica) Take 15g each of fresh Yexiazhu root and fresh Laoshuer root (a local herb), with an appropriate amount of pork liver or lean pork. Stew in water and consume. For infantile malnutrition (gan) (Fujian Materia Medica) Take 30g each of fresh Yexiazhu and Hulucha (Desmodium triquetrum), and 15g of Baimagu root (a local herb), with an appropriate amount of pork liver or lean pork. Stew in water and consume. For choking cough in children (Guizhou Herbal Medicine) Take 15g of fresh Shanzaojiao (a local herb), 4.5g of loquat bark, and 3g of Baijintiao (a local herb). Decoct in water and drink. For green bamboo snake bite (Jiangxi Herbal Medicine Manual) Take fresh Yexiazhu leaves, wash, crush, and apply to the wound. For early-stage carbuncles and furuncles (Anhui Chinese Herbal Medicine) Take fresh Yexiazhu, crush and apply externally; replace when dry.
Daily Consumption
Daily Dietary Therapy (for infantile malnutrition / childhood wasting disorder) : Take 15g of fresh Yexiazhu (Phyllanthus urinaria), 15g of fresh Laoshuer root (Rat-ear Root, a regional folk herb), and 30g of pig liver. Cook them together in water, then drink the soup and eat the liver.
Medicinal Parts
Whole plant with roots.
Selection & Storage
Store in a dry container in a well-ventilated, dry place.
