Keezhanelli: The Humble Herb That Heals From Root to Leaf

In the quiet corners of paddy fields, along the edges of village paths, and in the wild patches behind our homes, there grows a small, unassuming plant — barely a foot tall, with tiny green leaves that fold shyly at dusk and minute fruits clinging beneath each branchlet. Most people walk past it without a second glance. Yet for thousands of years, this little herb has been one of the most revered medicines in Siddha, Ayurveda, and Unani traditions.

This is keezhanelli (கீழாநெல்லி) — known to botanists as Phyllanthus niruri, to Ayurveda as Bhumi Amla (the amla of the earth), and to the wider world as the “stonebreaker.” Its Tamil name itself tells its story: keezhe (below) and nelli (gooseberry) — the gooseberry that grows beneath the leaves.

A Plant Honoured by Tradition

Keezhanelli’s place in Indian medicine is ancient and well-documented. It appears in the Bhavaprakasha, the 16th-century Ayurvedic compendium, where it was praised for its sour, cooling, and rejuvenative qualities, particularly for the liver. In the Siddha tradition of Tamil Nadu, it has long been the first remedy reached for in cases of jaundice, with healers grinding the fresh whole plant with cow’s milk or buttermilk to be taken on an empty stomach.

What’s striking is that this isn’t folklore confined to one region. Indigenous communities in the Amazon have used the same plant for centuries to “cleanse” the liver. West African folk medicine turned to it for fevers and digestive complaints. Across continents and across centuries, different peoples — without ever speaking to one another — arrived at the same conclusion: this little herb belongs in the medicine basket.

What Modern Science Has Found

Over the last few decades, researchers around the world have taken keezhanelli into their laboratories, and what they’ve discovered has been quietly remarkable.

A Guardian of the Liver

The herb’s most celebrated property is its ability to protect the liver. A comprehensive review of Phyllanthus niruri’s phytochemistry identified a wide range of bioactive compounds — flavonoids, alkaloids, lignans, polyphenols, tannins, and terpenoids — present across its leaves, stems, and roots, with particularly notable hepatoprotective, antiviral, and antihypertensive effects [1]. The lignans phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin, found chiefly in the aerial parts, are now considered among the most important plant compounds for liver support.

A 2020 study published in PLOS One demonstrated that aqueous extracts of Phyllanthus niruri significantly protected liver cells against chemically-induced damage, working by reducing lipid peroxidation and preserving the body’s natural antioxidant glutathione [2]. A more recent 2025 study in Chemistry & Biodiversity confirmed these findings, showing that the extract reduced inflammatory markers and restored normal liver architecture in damaged tissue [3].

The Stonebreaker, Earning Its Name

The English name “stonebreaker” is no exaggeration. A 12-week clinical study published in the International Brazilian Journal of Urology followed 56 patients with kidney stones who were given P. niruri infusion. Researchers observed a significant reduction in stone count — from an average of 3.2 stones per patient down to 2.0 — alongside favourable changes in urinary chemistry that make stone formation less likely [4]. A 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis further confirmed measurable reductions in both stone size and number with P. niruri therapy [5].

And Much More Beyond

Modern research has also documented antiviral activity (particularly against the hepatitis B virus), antidiabetic effects, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, blood pressure regulation, and immunomodulatory benefits — including being studied for supportive use during COVID-19 [6].

Why the Whole Plant Matters

Here is something easy to miss when reading research papers: nature did not design keezhanelli as separate parts. It evolved as one organism, with each part contributing its own chemistry to the whole.

• The leaves are the richest source of phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin — the lignans most associated with liver protection and antiviral activity.
• The stems carry tannins and supportive phytochemicals that contribute astringent and anti-inflammatory effects.
• The roots hold concentrated bioactives that traditional Siddha texts have long valued for jaundice, kidney stones, menstrual disorders, and chronic digestive complaints. Notably, two unique glycoflavones were first isolated from P. niruri roots in foundational phytochemistry research from the 1970s [7].

When a single part is used in isolation, you receive only a fragment of what the plant has to offer. When the whole plant is honoured — leaves, stems, and roots together — the full symphony of compounds works the way it always has: in concert.

This is why traditional preparations across India, Brazil, and Africa have almost always called for the whole plant, often pulled fresh from the ground with the roots intact, washed, and used entirely.

A Note From Us

At FounditGood, our keezhanelli powder, capsules, and infusion are crafted from the whole plant — leaves and roots together — carefully cleaned and processed to retain the herb’s full spectrum of goodness. Sourcing and handling the delicate leaves takes time and care, but we do it the right way simply because we love what we do. The tender leaves are rich in phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin, the compounds most associated with liver protection and antiviral support, while the roots carry concentrated bioactives traditionally used for jaundice relief, kidney stone management, and digestive wellness. Together, they offer a more balanced and effective preparation — one that honours the wisdom of traditional medicine, where the whole plant has always been valued over its parts. We invite you to try it and feel the difference for yourself.

A Gentle Word of Caution

Keezhanelli is a potent herb. It can lower blood sugar and blood pressure, so those on related medications should consult a qualified practitioner before regular use. It is generally avoided during pregnancy. As with all traditional medicines, dosage and quality matter — and a conversation with your Siddha or Ayurvedic doctor is always worthwhile.

References

1. Bagalkotkar, G., Sagineedu, S. R., Saad, M. S., & Stanslas, J. (2006). Phytochemicals from Phyllanthus niruri Linn. and their pharmacological properties: a review. Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, 58(12), 1559–1570.
2. Hassan, S. K., et al. (2020). In-depth hepatoprotective mechanistic study of Phyllanthus niruri: In vitro and in vivo studies and its chemical characterization. PLOS One, 15(1).
3. Arshad, N., et al. (2025). Hepatoprotective Potential of Phyllanthus niruri Extracts Against CCl₄-Induced Liver Injury in Rats. Chemistry & Biodiversity.
4. Pucci, N. D., et al. (2018). Effect of Phyllanthus niruri on metabolic parameters of patients with kidney stone: a perspective for disease prevention. International Brazilian Journal of Urology, 44(4), 758–764.
5. Pickering, B. M., et al. (2020). Phyllanthus niruri (stone breaker) herbal therapy for kidney stones: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical efficacy. Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine.
6. Basavaraju, M. (2022). Phyllanthus Niruri L: A Holistic Medicinal Plant with Modern Therapeutics — including documented immunomodulatory action against COVID-19.
7. Chauhan, J. S., Sultan, M., & Srivastava, S. K. (1977). Two new glycoflavones from the roots of Phyllanthus niruri. Planta Medica, 32.