FOOD as Medicine

Phyllantus Amarus (EYIN OLOBE in Yoruba) Obuko-iyeke

Common names for Phyllantus include Chanca Piedra in Spanish, Bhumyamalaki in Ayurveda, Quebra Pedra in Portuguese, Eyin Olobe in Yoruba, Enyikwonwa and Ngwu in Ibo, Oyomokeso Amanke Edem in Efik and Geeron-Tsuntsaayee (bird’s millet) in Hausa.

It grows 50 to 70 centimeters tall and bears ascending herbaceous branches. The bark is smooth and light green. It bears numerous pale green flowers which are often flushed with red. The fruits are tiny, smooth capsules containing seeds.

Phyllanthus is a genus of plant long used in herbal medicine. Commonly used in ayurveda, species such as Phyllanthus amarus and Phyllanthus niruri are touted as natural remedies for a variety of health problems.

Plants of the Phyllanthus genus are said to help with a number of health conditions, including:

bladder infections
colds
diabetes
hepatitis B
kidney disorders
ulcers
urinary tract infections
In addition, plants of the Phyllanthus genus are said to alleviate pain, improve liver health, and boost immune system.

Phyllanthus Niruri Medicinal Uses

This traditional herb acts as a protective shield and curative medicine for Jaundice and other liver related diseases. It is also used for menstruation and uterus problems in women.

Studies conducted on mice show that:

• Phyllanthus niruri extracts benefit the liver and protect it. Research says its protein fractions protected liver tissues against oxidative stress by improving antioxidative defense in mice.

• Phyllanthus niruri extracts demonstrate lipid-lowering activities in cholesterol fed hyperlipemic rats.

• Phyllanthus niruri may lower blood pressure.

• Phyllanthus niruri benefits people with kidney stones. Its intake interferes with the growth of calcium oxalate crystals.

Phyllanthus niruri Health benefits

Traditionally, Phyllanthus nriuri has been used as a home remedy in many countries. Its curative properties are well known.

• It helps in restricting the growth of hepatitis B virus found in the blood stream.

• The herb is said to have antifungal, antiviral and hypoglecemic action.

• Aqueous extract of Phyllanthus niruri is reported to have inhibitory effect on human immunodeficiency virus.

• Its very useful in the treatment of liver diseases like jaundice and liver cirrohosis. It helps to remedy fatty liver and liver damage due to any reason. It promotes liver action.

• It is also said to be used in the case of anorexia.

• It is diuretic and hence is used in urinary tract infections and bacterial infections like cyctitis and protastitis.

Home remedies with Phyllanthus niruri

• It can be used to increase the appetite and locally to relieve inflammations.

• Leaves are a popular remedy against fever.

• Infusion of young shoots is given in dysentery.

• Fresh juice of the whole plant along with clarified butter is very effective in the treatment of Menorrhagia, Leucorrhea and Gonorrhea.

The whole plant also contains potassium. Regular intake of a small quantity of leaves in the morning on an empty stomach helps to get rid of the toxins due to insect and spider bites.

Phyllanthus Side Effects and Safety Concerns

To date, little is known about the safety of long-term use of supplements containing extracts of plants of the Phyllanthus genus.

There’s some concern that use of these supplements may increase the effects of certain medications (such as drugs used in the treatment of diabetes and high blood pressure). Therefore, it’s important to consult a physician prior to taking supplements containing extracts of plants of the Phyllanthus genus in combination with other medications.

Local Preparation:

An aqueous decoction (herb boiled gently in water) must be made.
A tincture is not so good.

My method is to take one or two small plants, cut them up, bash them to lightly bruise it and open it up, throw all these into a pot, add 2 litres of water and boil down gently to 1 litre, cool, strain and then pour into a container and store in the fridge.

pour out a third of a glass of this decoction twice a day. If you like, add a little orange juice or a little more water to suppress the bitterness .

Medicinal Uses of Phyllantus Amarus (EYIN OLOBE in Yoruba) Obuko-iyeke

Common names for Phyllantus include Chanca Piedra in Spanish, Bhumyamalaki in Ayurveda, Quebra Pedra in Portuguese, Eyin Olobe in Yoruba, Enyikwonwa and Ngwu in Ibo, Oyomokeso Amanke Edem in Efik and Geeron-Tsuntsaayee (bird’s millet) in Hausa.

It grows 50 to 70 centimeters tall and bears ascending herbaceous branches. The bark is smooth and light green. It bears numerous pale green flowers which are often flushed with red. The fruits are tiny, smooth capsules containing seeds.

Phyllanthus is a genus of plant long used in herbal medicine. Commonly used in ayurveda, species such as Phyllanthus amarus and Phyllanthus niruri are touted as natural remedies for a variety of health problems.

Plants of the Phyllanthus genus are said to help with a number of health conditions, including:

bladder infections
colds
diabetes
hepatitis B
kidney disorders
ulcers
urinary tract infections
In addition, plants of the Phyllanthus genus are said to alleviate pain, improve liver health, and boost immune system.

Phyllanthus Niruri Medicinal Uses

This traditional herb acts as a protective shield and curative medicine for Jaundice and other liver related diseases. It is also used for menstruation and uterus problems in women.

Studies conducted on mice show that:

• Phyllanthus niruri extracts benefit the liver and protect it. Research says its protein fractions protected liver tissues against oxidative stress by improving antioxidative defense in mice.

• Phyllanthus niruri extracts demonstrate lipid-lowering activities in cholesterol fed hyperlipemic rats.

• Phyllanthus niruri may lower blood pressure.

• Phyllanthus niruri benefits people with kidney stones. Its intake interferes with the growth of calcium oxalate crystals.

Phyllanthus niruri Health benefits

Traditionally, Phyllanthus nriuri has been used as a home remedy in many countries. Its curative properties are well known.

• It helps in restricting the growth of hepatitis B virus found in the blood stream.

• The herb is said to have antifungal, antiviral and hypoglecemic action.

• Aqueous extract of Phyllanthus niruri is reported to have inhibitory effect on human immunodeficiency virus.

• Its very useful in the treatment of liver diseases like jaundice and liver cirrohosis. It helps to remedy fatty liver and liver damage due to any reason. It promotes liver action.

• It is also said to be used in the case of anorexia.

• It is diuretic and hence is used in urinary tract infections and bacterial infections like cyctitis and protastitis.

Home remedies with Phyllanthus niruri

• It can be used to increase the appetite and locally to relieve inflammations.

• Leaves are a popular remedy against fever.

• Infusion of young shoots is given in dysentery.

• Fresh juice of the whole plant along with clarified butter is very effective in the treatment of Menorrhagia, Leucorrhea and Gonorrhea.

The whole plant also contains potassium. Regular intake of a small quantity of leaves in the morning on an empty stomach helps to get rid of the toxins due to insect and spider bites.

Phyllanthus Side Effects and Safety Concerns

To date, little is known about the safety of long-term use of supplements containing extracts of plants of the Phyllanthus genus.

There’s some concern that use of these supplements may increase the effects of certain medications (such as drugs used in the treatment of diabetes and high blood pressure). Therefore, it’s important to consult a physician prior to taking supplements containing extracts of plants of the Phyllanthus genus in combination with other medications.

Local Preparation:

An aqueous decoction (herb boiled gently in water) must be made.
A tincture is not so good.

My method is to take one or two small plants, cut them up, bash them to lightly bruise it and open it up, throw all these into a pot, add 2 litres of water and boil down gently to 1 litre, cool, strain and then pour into a container and store in the fridge.

pour out a third of a glass of this decoction twice a day. If you like, add a little orange juice or a little more water to suppress the bitterness .

How to Make Coconut Oil in Your
Home.With the numerous health benefits and uncountable
uses of coconut oil, you should be making your own
Coconut Oil at home.
I used 3 coconuts to get 200 ml
(6.8 fl. oz.) of coconut oil.

You will need:

1. A blender for blending the coconuts. My blender has 850W power and it can blend pieces of coconut very well. I have also used a

600W blender in the past with great results. You can also grind it in the market but make sure they clean their machine very well before using it to blend the coconut for you.

2. Chopping board for cutting the coconut flesh/meat.
3. A blunt object for breaking the coconut: a hammer or small axe will do.

4. Original stainless steel pot for cooking the coconut till the oil seeps out. Do not use non-stick or coated pots for this because during cooking, the coconut oil will get to high temperatures.
5. Bowls.
6. Sieves.
7. Hot water mixed to a comfortable temperature.

Keep it as hot as you can comfortably handle with your bare hands. Extracting coconut milk with moderately hot water gives you morecoconut oil than when you extract with warm or lukewarm water. Don’t even use cool water.

Directions for making Coconut Oil

procedure.

1. Break the coconuts with a heavy blunt object.

2. When done, pry out the coconut meat from the coconut shell with a knife. Once the coconut is

mature, the coconut meat should come out ofthe shell easily.

3. Rinse the pieces of coconut thoroughly and cut
them into small pieces to help your blender.

4. Next, boil some water and mix with cool water to a comfortable temperature. See above.

5. Grind the pieces of coconut with the diluted hot water till smooth. Depending on the quantity you are making, you may need to grind in
batches.

6. Pour in a sieve to separate the coconut milk from the chaff. Then press with your hands to squeeze out the last drop.

7. Grind the chaff a second time to get morecoconut milk.

8. Use a sieve with a finer mesh to remove the tiniest particles from the coconut milk.

9. When done, cover the bowl of coconut milk and keep it in the fridge overnight.

10. The next morning, you will see that the coconut oil has separated from the water and caked

beautifully on top like a frozen lake.

11. Take the caked white coconut oil and place in a

clean dry stainless steel pot. The water remaining in the bowl still has some coconut taste and can be used to boil White Rice ,prepare Jollof Coconut Rice , White Coconut Rice and any other recipe that calls for coconut milk.

12. Cover the pot and start cooking on low to medium heat. If you notice any smoke at any time as you cook, reduce the heat to very low.

13. Keep an eye on the pot and stir from time to time. Cook till you notice some charred coconut bits in the oil.

14. Set the pot aside so the coconut oil can cool down to a comfortable temperature.

15. Sieve with a chiffon cloth or a cheese cloth to remove the charred bits. If you still notice any charred bits in the sieved coconut oil, sieve again with a paper towel. Store in your cupboard and use when you wish.
That's it.