CHANCA PIEDRA, A VERY POPULAR PERUVIAN HERB.

CHANCA PIEDRA (Carry-me-seed; Gale-Wind Grass; Quinine Weed; Stone-Breaker) is a Peruvian traditional medicine herb. It grows in a wild way that looks like weeds and are small in height (30-40 cms). They are annual, and edible. Their habitat is in the rainforest of the Amazon. It belongs to the family of "Euphorbia-ceace-phyllanthus, and to the species of "Niruri-Amarus.
Chanca Piedra contains many ingredients that work together to produce the desired medicinal effect and also to lessen the chances of side effects from any one of them. The type of environment (climate, soil quality) in which the help grows helps to develop its natural components, as much as how and when it is harvested and processed.
Chanca Piedra is a rich source of plant chemicals. The main ones include alkaloids, astragalin, brevifolin, carboxylic acids, corilagin, cymene, ellagic acid, ellagitannins, gallocatechins, geraniin, hypophyllanthin, lignans, lintetralins, lupeopls, methyl salicylate, niranthin, nirtetralin, niruretin, nirurin, nirurine, niruriside, norsecurinines, phyllanthin, phyllanthine, phyllanthenol, phyllochrysine, phyltetralin, pepandusinic acids, quercetin, quercetol, quercitrin, rutin, saponins, triacontanal, and tricontanol.
It has a long history in herbal medicine, also called Botanical or phytomedicine, in the Andes. The plant is used for the treatment of numerous illnesses which includes colic, diabetes, malaria, dysentery fever, flu, tumors, jaundice, and dyspepsia. It also is considered as analgesic, and as an aperitif, carminative, digestive, and laxative. It expels worms, stones from kidneys, increase urination, relieves pain, protect liver, reduces inflammation, and treat viral infections. It aids digestion, reduces blood sugar, lowers blood pressure, lowers cholesterol.
It is also known for its antimicrobial activity activity against "Helicobacter Pylori" and different strains of lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus Acidophilus.
Chanca Piedra possesses Aldose Reductase Inhibition properties. They are substances that act on nerve endings exposed to high blood sugar concentration and can lead to diabetic neuropathy and macular degeneration. The herb inhibits these substances preventing some of the chemical imbalances that occur  and thus protecting the nerve.The ellagic acid content of the plant is the main ingredient that act in the prevention.
The high phenolic and antioxidant profile of the herb have shown its inhibitory potential against key enzymes relevant for hyperglycemia and hypertension.
The natural remedy is prepared by an infusion or weak decoction of the whole plant or its aerial parts.
Chancapiedra plants usually are collected and dried under the sun and then packaged in convenient small packages. It is then used as if preparing tea.
Use 1/8 of the package and 4 cups of water and boil it with pineapple peel or quince during 20 minutes in low heat. Then add honey and lime juice and cool. Drink it after meals.