Chanca Piedra Uses and Precautions

Chanca piedra is a tropical herb known as a traditional cure for potential kidney stones. It has also been used for other conditions, such as liver issues, ulcers, diabetes control, blood pressure, and gallstones.

Also called stone breaker, gale-of-the-wind, and seed-under-leaf, chanca piedra is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat any condition. Research is limited. It has a few known side effects and may interact with several common medications.

This article looks at the research behind chanca piedra, its benefits, and its side effects. It also details drug interactions, who should not take chanca piedra, and what to look for when buying it.

Uses of Chanca Piedra

Here's a closer look at the research behind chanca piedra.

Kidney Stones

The most studied use of chanca piedra is for kidney stones. This is where it gets its name "stone breaker."

A 2018 clinical study of 56 people with kidney stones showed that the use of chanca piedra contributed to the elimination of small (<10mm) kidney stones.

Kidney stones are more prone to form when oxalate or uric acid levels become too high. Chanca piedra lowered urinary oxalate and uric acid (waste products that exit your body via urine). Further research is needed to validate this effect.

Gallstones

In traditional medicine, chanca piedra is used to treat gallstones. It appears to work on gallstones, much in the same way it helps break up kidney stones. Chanca piedra has alkalizing properties that may prevent and treat gallstones. 

However, no current scientific research supports Chanca piedra’s use for gallstones. 

Gout

Gout occurs when an excess of uric acid in the blood pools in joints, causing painful crystals to form. Chanca piedra may help to lower uric acid levels and prevent gout. 

In animal studies, Chandra piedra supplements can lower uric acid levels. However, human studies are limited, and there is no evidence to support that it actually works in people.

Hepatitis B

Hepatitis B is a serious liver disease. Only a licensed healthcare provider should manage it.

According to a 2016 review, in lab studies, chanca piedra showed reduced hepatitis B antigen, a sign of infection. Study authors said that the chanca piedra might be effective against hepatitis B by slowing the replication (growth) of the hepatitis B virus.

More research in humans is needed to support these claims.

Digestive Health

A 2014 study found that chanca piedra had antimicrobial activity (the ability to kill or prevent microbes) against Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). H. pylori is an organism that plays a significant role in developing digestive disorders, such as ulcers. It's also thought to increase the risk for stomach cancer.

The study also found that chanca piedra didn't inhibit the growth of good bacteria in the gut (such as Lactobacillus acidophilus).

In addition to the uses listed above, other traditional uses for chanca piedra include:

• Constipation
• Stomach upset

However, studies haven't produced the kind of high-quality evidence needed to validate any digestive health claims at this time.

Diabetes

Animal studies found the herb can lower fasting blood glucose levels, a common problem in people with diabetes. 

Human studies are needed before it can be recommended to manage blood sugar. However, researchers warn that it may cause low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). It can also interact with diabetes medications. People with diabetes should monitor their blood sugar when taking chanca piedra.

Other Uses

Chanca piedra's additional traditional uses include:

• High blood pressure
  
• Anemia
• Hepatitis
• Asthma
• Tuberculosis
• Infections (including sexually transmitted infections)
• Fluid retention

However, studies haven't produced high-quality evidence to validate uses for these health conditions.

What Are the Side Effects of Chanca Piedra?

There are few side effects of chanca piedra. As with all supplements, there is the risk of an allergic reaction.

Common Side Effects

A clinical study of people with kidney stones noted these side effects:

• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Blood in the urine

It was pointed out that these are also symptoms of kidney stones. It remains uncertain if these side effects directly resulted from using chanca piedra.

Severe Side Effects

Chanca piedra may increase the excretion of electrolytes like potassium. Excessive excretion of potassium can decrease potassium to unsafe levels, causing an electrolyte imbalance. This could impact heart rhythm.

Precautions and Warnings

It's essential to use chanca piedra supplements with caution. Talk to your healthcare provider before using chanca piedra if you have any health conditions, including:

• Blood-clotting disorders: Chanca piedra may slow down blood clotting, increasing the risk of bleeding in those with clotting disorders.
  
• Diabetes: Chanca piedra may lower blood sugar.
• Potassium levels: Chanca piedra may decrease potassium levels through excretion.

Little is known about the effects of chanca piedra on pregnancy, children, and people over 65. Speak with a healthcare professional before taking chanca piedra or any supplement or plant medicine, especially if you are taking any prescription medications.

Dosage: How Much Chanca Piedra Should I Take?

Always speak with a healthcare provider before taking a supplement to ensure that the supplement and dosage are appropriate for your individual needs.

There isn't enough evidence from clinical research to show a precise, safe, and effective dose of chanca piedra. However, there are recorded doses in traditional use.

In the use of treating specific ailments, the traditional dosage varies. Dosages for chanca piedra plant juice range from 10-20 milliliters (mL) three times per day to 45-50 mL every morning. Another suggests 10 grams(g) of powder from the roots to be mixed with fresh milk and drunk every morning. The use of 4.5 g in a sachet steeped in boiling water for tea has also been suggested.

What Happens if I Take Too Much Chanca Piedra?

Taking too much chanca piedra has unknown effects. Few clinical studies have been completed on chanca piedra. As a result, there is little known about any upper dosage limit. There may be a disruption in electrolyte balance if too much chanca piedra is taken.

A clinical study about chanca piedra and its effects on kidney stones showed an increase in potassium excretion when taking it. The risk of decreased potassium levels in the body exists if too much chanca piedra is taken.

Speak with a healthcare professional about taking chanca piedra if you are using diuretics or have any concerns about your potassium levels.

Interactions

Chanca piedra can interact with some prescription medications. Specific drug indications include medications that treat heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and other conditions.

Note: This is not a complete list of interactions. If you take any medications, talk to your pharmacist before using chanca piedra.

Anticoagulants

Chanca piedra may slow blood clotting. When taken with anticoagulants, which prevent blood clots, there may be an increased risk of bleeding.

Anticoagulants include:

• Aspirin
• Warfarin
• Ticlid (ticlopidine)
• Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate)

Antidiabetic Medications

Chanca piedra is thought to lower blood sugar levels. When taking antidiabetic medications, blood sugar levels may be too low.

Some diabetes medications that may interact with chanca piedra include:

• Insulin
• DiaBeta (glyburide)
• Diabinese (chlorpropamide)
• Other blood-sugar-lowering medication

Antihypertensives

Chanca piedra may lower blood pressure. Taking medications that lower blood pressure and chanca piedra may cause your blood pressure to be too low.

Examples of blood pressure medications that may interact with chanca piedra include:

• Vasotec (enalapril)
• Norvasc (amlodipine)
• HydroDIURIL (hydrochlorothiazide)

Diuretics

Chanca piedra causes the body to lose water and excrete potassium. When taken with water pills, chanca piedra could cause your blood pressure to be too low.

Diuretics include:

• Lasix (furosemide)
• Diuril (chlorothiazide)
• Calcium carbonate
• Stimulant laxatives such as sennosides and bisacodyl

Lithium

Chanca piedra may act as a diuretic (water pill), impacting how efficiently the body gets rid of lithium. This could adversely affect the therapeutic levels of lithium. Ask your healthcare provider if your lithium dosage should be adjusted.

Supplements

Chanca piedra may have interactions with herbal supplements for the same reasons as the above medication. Herbal interactions with chanca piedra include the effects of:

• Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) and Hawthorn (Crataegus species), decreasing blood pressure
• Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) and ginger, interfering with blood clotting
• Aloe, leading to lower potassium levels

How to Store Chanca Piedra

When storing herbal supplements, it is best to refer to package instructions. Follow the package instructions for when to discard the supplement as well.

One clinical study did note that chanca piedra had been stored in a dry space at 59 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, as part of a process to ensure it wasn't contaminated with bacteria or fungi. For home use, check the product label for storage requirements.

Similar Supplements

A traditional use of chanca piedra is to lower blood pressure. Supplements with similar effects are black cohosh and hawthorn. Both of these supplements have been shown to lower blood pressure. It is not recommended to take these supplements together as the combination may decrease your blood pressure to unsafe levels.

Other similar supplements include:

• Potassium citrate
• Feverfew
• Ginger
• Aloe
• Nettle (Urtica dioica)

Chanca piedra is believed to decrease the body's ability to clot, as are feverfew and ginger. Using chanca piedra with other herbs that may cause anticoagulation, such as feverfew and ginger, should be avoided. Speak with your healthcare provider about taking these supplements if you have a clotting issue or are already taking any of these supplements.

Aloe, when taken orally, can decrease potassium levels in the body. In a clinical trial involving kidney stones, chanca piedra demonstrated the same effect. Using aloe with chanca piedra is not recommended.

This same study showed that chanca piedra may decrease the size and formation of kidney stones. The herbal supplement nettle is believed to fight kidney stones as well.

Sources of Chanca Piedra and What to Look For

Dosing is not regulated for this supplement. It can be taken by drinking the juice of the plant, powdered root, or by taking it as tea. Chanca piedra is readily available in many forms. These include:

• Herbal tea
• Extracts (in liquid)
• Capsules
• Tablets
  

Buying Supplements

The FDA regulates supplements as food, not as drugs. While the FDA doesn't have the authority to approve dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness or to approve their labels before they're sold to the public, the FDA does evaluate supplement labels for any health claims after they're on the market. It also inspects supplement manufacturers.

Use caution when looking for a safe and effective product. Look for products certified by third-party agencies such as the U.S. Pharmacopeia, NSF, or ConsumerLab.com. These agencies evaluate products and report on herbal and natural products' safety, purity, and potency. However, even if supplements are third-party tested, that doesn't mean they are safe for all or effective in general.

Summary

Chanca piedra is a supplement that's thought to be a natural remedy for kidney stones, digestive problems, and other health conditions.

Some research has found it can reduce kidney stones, reduce bacteria that cause ulcers, and slow hepatitis B infections. However, research is still limited, and more data is needed to support health claims.

As with all supplements and plant medicines, it's essential to discuss the use of chanca piedra with your healthcare provider before taking it. This conversation is especially important if you have a health condition or are taking any medications, other plant medicines, or dietary supplements.