A combination of 5 rainforest botanicals traditionally used in South America for kidney stones.* For more information on the individual ingredients in Amazon Kidney Support, follow the links provided below to the plant database files in the Tropical Plant Database.

Ingredients: A proprietary blend of chanca piedra, boldo, erva tostão, cipó cabeludo, and abuta. To prepare this natural remedy yourself: Use 4 parts chanca peidra, two parts boldo, erva tostão, and cipó cabeludo and one part abuta. To make a small amount... "1 part" could be one tablespoon (you'd have 11 tablespoons of the blended herbal formula). For larger amounts, use "1 part" as one ounce or one cup or one pound. Combine all the herbs together well. The herbal mixture can then be stuffed into capsules or brewed into tea, stirred into juice or other liquid, or taken however you'd like.

Suggested Use: Take 1-2 grams three times daily. (1 gram is about 1/2 teaspoon by volume).
Contraindications: Not to be used during pregnancy or while breast-feeding.
Drug Interactions: May potentiate diabetic, heart, anticoagulant, and diuretic medications.
Other Practitioner Observations:
1. Several plants in this formula have been documented to reduce blood pressure and/or have a mild cardiac depressant effect in animal studies. Individuals with low blood pressure should be monitored for this possible effect.
2. Several plants in this formula contain coumarin which thins the blood. Those individuals with blood disorders such as hemophilia should be monitored closely for this possible effect.
3. Plants in this formula have a diuretic activity. Chronic long-term use of any diuretic can cause electrolyte and mineral imbalances which should be monitored more closely.

---

Third-Party Published Research*

This rainforest formula has not been the subject of any clinical research. A partial listing of third-party published research on each herbal ingredient in the formula is shown below. Please refer to the plant database files by clicking on the plant names below to see all available documentation and research on each plant ingredient.

Chanca Piedra (Phyllanthus niruri)
Chanca piedra has been documented in human and animal studies to have the ability to block the formation of calcium oxalate crystals as well as provide a direct antilithic action. Three new studies were published in 2006 on chanca piedra's beneficial uses for kidney stones and gout. In a long-term randomized study with 150 human patients with a history of kidney stones, researchers confirmed the plant's ability to prevent re-occuring stone formations in humans and reported: "Regular self-administration of P. niruri [chanca piedra] after extra-corporeal shock wave lithotripsy for renal stones results in an increased stone-free rate that appears statistically significant for lower caliceal location." A 2006 animal study confirmed the plant's use for gout reporting that it: "significantly reversed the plasma uric acid level of hyperuricemic animals to its normal level in a dose-dependent manner, comparable to that of allo-purinol, benzbromarone and probenecid which are used clinically for the treatment of hyperuricemia and gout." Another 2006 study with rats indicated that chanca piedra:"may have a therapeutic potential, since it was able to modify the shape and texture of calculi to a smoother and probably more fragile form, which could contribute to elimination and/or dissolution of calculi." In an earlier 2002 rat study, researchers reported that chanca piedra strongly inhibited the growth and number of stones formed over a control group. In 2003, scientists again confirmed in vitro that chanca piedra could help prevent the formation of kidney stones. Previously (in the mid-1980s), the antispasmodic activity of chanca piedra was reported. This led researchers to surmise that "smooth muscle relaxation within the urinary or biliary tract probably facilitates the expulsion of kidney or bladder calculi." Researchers had already reported chanca piedra's antispasmodic properties and smooth muscle relaxant properties (including a uterine relaxant effect) in several earlier studies.*
Murugaiyah, V., et al. "Antihyperuricemic lignans from the leaves of Phyllanthus niruri." Planta Med. 2006 Nov; 72(14): 1262-7.
Micali, S., et al. "Can Phyllanthus niruri affect the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for renal stones? A randomized, prospective, long-term study." J. Urol. 2006 Sep; 176(3): 1020-2.
Barros, M. E., et al. "Effect of extract of Phyllanthus niruri on crystal deposition in experimental urolithiasis." Urol. Res. 2006 Aug 1;
Nishiura, J. L., et al. "Phyllanthus niruri normalizes elevated urinary calcium levels in calcium stone forming (CSF) patients." Urol. Res. 2004 Oct; 32(5): 362-6.
Barros, M. E., et al. "Effects of an aqueous extract from Phyllanthus niruri on calcium oxalate crystallization in vitro." Urol. Res. 2003; 30(6): 374-9.
Freitas, A. M., et al. "The effect of Phyllanthus niruri on urinary inhibitors of calcium oxalate crystallization and other factors associated with renal stone formation." B. J. U. Int. 2002; 89(9): 829-34.
Campos, A. H., et al. "Phyllanthus niruri inhibits calcium oxalate endocytosis by renal tubular cells: its role in urolithiasis." Nephron. 1999; 81(4): 393-97.
Iizuka, T., et al. "Vasorelaxant Effects of Methyl Brevifolincarboxylate from the Leaves of Phyllanthus niruri." Biol. Pharm. Bull. 2006; 29(1): 177-9.
Kassuya, C. A., et al. "Antiinflammatory and antiallodynic actions of the lignan niranthin isolated from Phyllanthus amarus. Evidence for interaction with platelet activating factor receptor." Eur. J. Pharmacol. 2006 Sep; 546(1-3): 182-8.
Kassuya, C.A., et al. "Anti-inflammatory properties of extracts, fractions and lignans isolated from Phyllanthus amarus." Planta Med. 2005; 71(8): 721-6.
Kiemer, A. K., et al. "Phyllanthus amarus has anti-inflammatory potential by inhibition of iNOS, COX-2, and cytokines via the NF-kappaB pathway." J. Hepatol. 2003; 38(3): 289-97.
Santos, A. R., et al. "Antinociceptive properties of extracts of new species of plants of the genus Phyllanthus (Euphorbiaceae)." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2000; 72(1/2): 229-38.
Miguel, O. G., et al. "Chemical and preliminary analgesic evaluation of geraniin and furosin isolated from Phyllanthus sellowianus." Planta Med. 1996; 62(2): 146-49.
Paulino, N., et al. "The relaxant effect of extract of Phyllanthus urinaria in the guinea-pig isolated trachea. Evidence for involvement of ATP-sensitive potassium channels." J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 1996; 48(11): 1158-63.
Santos, A. R., et al. "Analysis of the mechanisms underlying the antinociceptive effect of the extracts of plants from the genus Phyllanthus." Gen. Pharmacol. 1995; 26(7): 1499-1506.
Santos, A. R., et al. "Further studies on the antinociceptive action of the hydroalcohlic extracts from plants of the genus Phyllanthus." J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 1995; 47(1): 66-71.
Santos, A. R., et al. "Analgesic effects of callus culture extracts from selected species of Phyllanthus in mice." J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 1994; 46(9): 755-59.
Calixto, J. B., et al. "Antispasmodic effects of an alkaloid extracted from Phyllanthus sellowianus: a comparative study with papaverine." Braz. J. Med. Biol. Res. 1984; 17(3-4): 313-21

Boldo (Peumus boldus)
Boldo and/or its main chemical boldine, has shown in various studies over the years to possess diuretic, febrifuge, and anti-inflammatory properties as well as the ability to reduce excess uric acid.*
O'brien, P., et al. "Boldine and its antioxidant or health-promoting properties." Chem. Biol. Interact. 2006 Jan; 159(1): 1-17.
Estelles, R., et al. "Effect of boldine, secoboldine, and boldine methine on angiotensin II-induced neurtrophil recruitment in vivo." J. Leukoc. Biol. 2005 Sep; 78(3): 696-704.
Kang, J. J., et al. "Studies on neuromuscular blockade by boldine in the mouse phrenic nerve diaphragm." Planta Med. 1999; 65(2): 178-79.
Kang, J. J., et al. "Effects of boldine on mouse diaphragm and sarcoplasmic reticulum vesicles isolated from skeletal muscle." Planta Med. 1998; 64(1): 18-21.
Backhouse, N., et al. "Anti-inflammatory and antipyretic effects of boldine." Agents Actions 1994; 42(3-4): 114-17.
Ivorra, M. D., et al. "Different mechanism of relaxation induced by aporphine alkaloids in rat uterus." J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 1993; 45(5): 439-43.
Lanhers, M. C., et al. "Hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects of a traditional medicinal plant of Chile, Peumus boldus." Planta Med. 1991; 57(2): 110-15.

Erva Tostão (Boerhaavia diffusa)
This plant is traditionally used in Brazilian herbal medicine as a diuretic, for urinary tract disorders, renal disorders, kidney stones, cystitis, and nephritis.*
Rawat, A. K., et al. "Hepatoprotective activity of Boerhaavia diffusa L. roots—a popular Indian ethnomedicine." J. Ethnopharmacol. 1997; 56(1): 61-66.
Devi, M. V., et al. "Effect of Phyllanthus niruri on the diuretic activity of punarnava tablets." J. Res. Edu. Ind. Med. 1986; 5(1): 11-12.
Mishra, J. P., et al. "Studies on the effect of indigenous drug Boerhaavia diffusa Rom. on kidney regeneration." Indian J. Pharmacy 1980; 12: 59.
Mudgal, V. "Studies on medicinal properties of Convolvulus pluricaulis and Boerhaavia diffusa." Planta Med. 1975; 28: 62.
Gaitonde, B. B., et al. "Diuretic activity of punarnava (Boerhaavia diffusa)." Bull. Haffkine Inst. 1974; 2: 24.
Chowdhury, A., et al. "Boerhaavia diffusa: effect on diuresis and some renal enzymes." Ann. Biochem. Exp. Med. 1955; 15: 119-26.
Singh, R. P., et al. "Recent approach in clinical and experimental evaluation of diuretic action of punarnava (B. diffusa) with special reference to nephrotic syndrome." J. Res. Edu. Ind. Med. 1955; 7(1): 29-35.

Cipó Cabeludo (Mikania hirsutissima)
Cipó Cabeludo is widely used in traditional herbal medicine systems in Brazil as a powerful diuretic. Its main documented uses there are for kidney stones, to help lower uric acid levels, and for gout, urinary tract infections, cystitis, and urethritis.*
Tirapelli, C. R., "Pharmacological comparison of the vasorelaxant action displayed by kaurenoic acid and pimaradienoic acid." J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 2005; 57(8): 997-1004.
Ambrosio, S. R., "Role of the carboxylic group in the antispasmodic and vasorelaxant action displayed by kaurenoic acid." J. Pharm. Pharmacol. 2004; 56(11): 1407-13.
Tirapelli, C. R., et al. "Analysis of the mechanisms underlying the vasorelaxant action of kaurenoic acid in the isolated rat aorta." Eur. J. Pharmacol. 2004 May; 492(2-3): 233-41.

Abuta (Cissampelos pareira)
Abuta and many of its main active constituents have been documented by scientists to have significant antispasmodic, muscle relaxant and analgesic properties. It is traditionally used in Peruvian herbal medicine systems for kidney stones.*
Amresh, G., et al. "Evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity of Cissampelos pareira root in rats." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Oct 19;
Caceres, A., et al. "Diuretic activity of plants used for the treatment of urinary ailments in Guatemala." J. Ethnopharmacol. 1987; 19(3): 233-45.
Sanchez Medina, A., et al. "Evaluation of biological activity of crude extracts from plants used in Yucatecan traditional medicine part l. Antioxidant, antimicrobial and beta-glucosidase inhibition activities." Phytomedicine. 2001; 8(2):144-51.
Adesina, S. K. "Studies on some plants used as anticonvulsants in Amerindian and African traditional medicine." Fitoterapia 1982; 53: 147-62.