Bhumi Amla (Phyllanthus niruri) is a tropical weed that is extensively grown in coastal areas. It is also known as ‘Dukong Anak’ and ‘Bhumi Amalaki’ in Sanskrit. This herb is known as bhumi amla because it grows about 50 cm and is quite close to the ground. Bhumi Amla is commonly known as chanca piedra, stonebreaker, bahupatra, etc. It is found in temperate climates all over coastal India.
The bark of the plant is light green and is quite smooth. The fruits which these plant bears are tiny, and smooth in capsule form, which contains its seeds. The flowers which grow on it have numerous shades of green and are often flushed with red color.
The entire plant possesses numerous medical properties and has proven quite beneficial for individuals suffering from various ailments. Bhumi amla helps manage liver disorders and prevents any damage caused to the liver because of its hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and antiviral activities, widely used in Ayurveda for its profound health benefits on the liver. It is also known to help maintain a healthy spleen. This plant is also known to support the kidney and the gall bladder and ensure that it is healthy. Few studies prove that bhumi amla juice can help prevent glucose absorption and improve glucose storage and help maintain healthy blood sugar levels already within the normal range. Bhumi Amla is high in phytochemicals; glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenyl-e-prostanoids, ellagitanis, gernanin, Amarin, corilagin, found in the stem, roots, and leaves. The leaves of this plant also contain niranthin and phyltetralin. And its roots are known to contain kaemferol and criodictoil.
Bhumi Amla also helps prevent ulcers by reducing gastric acid production and protecting the stomach lining against damage caused by excessive gastric acid. Bhumi Amla can also reduce the risk of kidney stone formation because of its diuretic property. It does this by promoting the removal of salts, mainly oxalate crystals, that are responsible for the formation of kidney stones. According to Ayurveda, Bhumi Amla is highly recommended for indigestion and acidity because of its pitta-balancing property. It might also be beneficial for people with diabetes as it helps manage blood sugar levels due to its tikta (bitter) properties.
Some of the other names which Bhumi Amla goes by are Phyllanthus niruri, Bhumyamalaki, Bhumi amala, and Pumi amla.
Benefits of Bhumi Amla
Liver Disorder Bhumi Amla is said to be one of the best herbs for managing any ailments related to the liver, including swelling in the liver, jaundice, and even weak liver function. Bhumi Amla helps in detoxifying the damaged liver and nourishes it. This is mainly because of its Rasayana properties, which are known as the rejuvenating property of the plant and pitta balancing property. It also benefits digestive disorders like hyperacidity, inflammation, and dysentery. The plant can also be used as an anti-diabetic. To relieve oneself of liver problems, it is recommended to use two to three grams of bhumi amla for a few days. Consuming 10 to 20 ml of bhumi amla juice is also quite helpful in the treatment of liver problems.
Indigestion and acidity
According to Ayurveda, indigestion is a cause of excess acid production, which is because of excessive pitta. This results in sourness and heat in the body. In simple words, the cause of indigestion is the pitta dosha. Because of this pitta dosha, there is a production of ama in the body, which cause many stomach problems like nausea, bloating, burping, constipation, and many such ailments. Bhumi amla can help fight these problems again because it consists of pitta balancing properties, which help improve digestion, and sita (cold) potency, which helps reduce acidity.
High Sugar Level
Having high sugar levels is one of the most common health conditions, and it has become an even bigger threat to people in recent times. High sugar is a problem when the is too much sugar in the blood, and the insulin which the body produces is inadequate, or the cells of the body does not respond well to the insulin. This health condition cannot be cured, but can surely be managed by eating a healthy diet and changing your lifestyle. Research suggests that oxidative stress in the body is the root cause of conditions like high sugar levels and other related diseases. The antioxidants in bhumi amla can reverse oxidation's damaging effects, which helps the individual deal with this problem.
Bhumi amla is known for its immunity-boosting properties and is a good remedy for such a problem. Bhumi Amla can manage high sugar levels because of its tikta (bitter) and kashaya (astringent) rasa properties, which greatly help improve the metabolism and control of high sugar levels in the blood.
Bleeding Disorder
A bleeding disorder usually makes it difficult for the body to form proper blood clots, causing excessive bleeding. The disorder is characterized by extended bleeding after an injury, surgery, or menstruation. The bleeding can also be spontaneous, without a known cause. An example of this is nose bleeds. Improper clotting of blood can be caused by defects in blood components such as platelets or clotting proteins. Our body produces thirteen clotting factors, and if any of them are defective, the clotting of blood is affected depending on its severity.
Bhumi amla has proved itself to help reduce excessive bleeding. This is because of its sita (cold) potency and Kashaya (astringent) property, which helps balance pitta and control the excessive flow of blood.
Skin Disease
Skin diseases vary depending on their symptoms and severity. They can either be temporary or permanent and may be painful or painless. Some of the most common skin diseases are
- Eczema. This is the term for a group of medical conditions that cause the skin to become inflamed or irritated.
- Psoriasis. This is a skin condition where the skin produces thick red plaques covered with silvery scales.
- Acne. This is the most common condition in which adolescents are mostly affected. The breakouts on the skin compose of blackheads, whiteheads, pimples, etc. and they may leave scars or darken the skin if left untreated.
- Rosacea. This condition can mostly be seen on the face and causes redness on the nose, cheeks, and forehead.
Bhumi Amla acts as a blood purifier and helps in managing skin disorders when it is consumed. This is mainly because of tikta (bitter) rasa and pitta balancing nature.
Cough and Cold.
Cough and cold are the most common and frequent infectious diseases, and they occur mostly during the winter. This is a viral infectious disease of the upper respiratory tract, mainly affecting the nose, throat, etc. Symptoms may include coughing, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, headache, and fever. People tend to recover in a week or ten days, and in some cases, those individuals with severe symptoms may develop pneumonia.
Bhumi Amla has Kapha balancing property. This helps in reducing cough, cold, and breathing problems such as asthma, breathlessness, and hiccups.
Fever
A fever is the body's natural reaction to infections. This happens when a virus or bacteria invades the body; one of the immune system's defenses is to raise the body temperature since the pathogens are less likely to multiply at temperatures greater than 98.6 degrees F. Fever is often accompanied by shaking, shivering, and feeling cold. There is also an odd sensation where the individual feels hot and cold at the same time.
Bhumi Amla helps fight against fever, especially the one associated with typhoid infection because of its tikta (bitter) and pitta balancing properties, which help the body's metabolism remove all the toxins from the body.
FAQs
Is Bhumi Amla good for treating Hepatitis B?
Scientific view
Ayurvedic view
Bhumi Amla can help in treating hepatitis B because of its liver protective and antiviral activities. The plant can inhibit the virus responsible for causing the ailment and improves the symptoms of hepatitis B.
Hepatitis B impairs the function of the liver. The plant helps in managing hepatitis B and improves liver conditions. This is because of its pitta-balancing nature. According to Ayurveda, bhumi amla helps reduce the symptoms of hepatitis B and maintains the individual's overall health.
Tip
Take ¼ to ½ teaspoons of Bhumi amla powder
Mix the powder in a cup of lukewarm water.
Consume this drink twice a day after a light meal.
Does Bhumi Amla help in treating ulcers?
Scientific View
Ayurvedic view
Bhumi amla helps in reducing ulcers by reducing the secretion of gastric acid. It also consists of antioxidant properties and protects the gastric cells from further damage.
According to Ayurveda, ulcers occur due to an imbalance of pitta dosha, which, in some cases, results in inflammation or a burning sensation. Bhumi amla helps in the treatment of ulcers because of its pitta-balancing properties. It also provides a cooling effect on the affected area because of its sita (cold) property.
What are the health benefits of Bhumi Amla Juice?
Scientific view
Ayurvedic view
Bhumi amla juice helps in improving urinary infections because of its antibacterial and diuretic properties. These properties help in the increase of urine and manage any disorders related to urine. Consuming bhumi amla juice with a glass of water before breakfast at least once a day helps prevent bacteria growth. It also helps to manage jaundice and liver swelling.
According to Ayurveda, bhumi amla juice helps to manage urinary disorders like a burning sensation or frequent urination. This is because of its Mutral (diuretic) and sita (cold) properties, which help in controlling the symptoms of urinary disorders by increasing the flow of urine.
Consuming this juice in the morning with water greatly contributes to digestion and liver health.
What are the health benefits of Bhumi Amla Powder?
Scientific view
Ayurvedic view
Bhumi amla powder consists of liver protective and antiviral properties, which means that it helps treat liver problems. It also contributes to hair regrowth by preventing damage to the hair follicles.
Bhumi amla powder helps in controlling problems related to digestion, such as acidity. This is because of its sita (cold) nature and helps balance the disrupted pitta. Bhumi amla powder maintains the overall health of an individual.
