CHANCA PIEDRA Overview Information
Chanca piedra is an herb. The whole plant is used to make medicine.
Chanca piedra is used for various disorders of the urinary tract including infections, pain and swelling (inflammation), kidney stones, and discharge from the urethra or vagina. It is also used for digestive tract disorders including gas, loss of appetite, stomachache, intestinal infections, constipation, and dysentery.
Some people use chanca piedra as a liver tonic and for liver problems including hepatitis B. Other uses include treating diabetes, gallstones, colic, flu, swine flu, yellowing of the skin (jaundice), abdominal tumors, pain around the rectum, fever, sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis and gonorrhea, malaria, tumors, caterpillar stings, cough, fluid retention, itching, miscarriage, tremors, typhoid, anemia, asthma, bronchitis, thirst, tuberculosis, and dizziness.
How does it work?
It is thought that chanca piedra contains chemicals that might relieve spasms and fever, increase urine, and have activity against bacteria and viruses. It might also lower blood sugar.
CHANCA PIEDRA Uses & Effectiveness 
Possibly Ineffective for:
- Hepatitis B infection.
Insufficient Evidence for:
- Urinary tract infections and pain and swelling (inflammation).
- Kidney stones.
- Increasing urine output.
- Intestinal gas.
- Increasing appetite.
- Use as a liver tonic and blood purifier.
- Diabetes.
- Gallstones.
- Colic.
- Stomachache.
- Indigestion.
- Intestinal infections.
- Constipation.
- Dysentery.
- Flu.
- Yellowing of the skin (jaundice).
- Abdominal tumors.
- Fever.
- Pain.
- Syphilis.
- Gonorrhea.
- Malaria.
- Tumors.
- Caterpillar stings.
- Cough.
- Swelling.
- Itching.
- Miscarriage.
- Pain and swelling around the rectum.
- Tremors.
- Typhoid.
- Infections of the vagina.
- Anemia.
- Asthma.
- Bronchitis.
- Thirst.
- Tuberculosis.
- Dizziness.
- Other conditions.
CHANCA PIEDRA Side Effects & Safety
It is not known if chanca piedra is safe or what the possible side effects might be.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of chanca piedra during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Surgery: Because chanca piedra might affect blood glucose levels, there is some concern that it might interfere with blood sugar control during and after surgery. Stop using chanca piedra at least two weeks before a scheduled surgery.
CHANCA PIEDRA Interactions
Moderate Interaction Be cautious with this combination
- Lithium interacts with CHANCA PIEDRA
Chanca piedra might have an effect like a water pill or "diuretic." Taking chanca piedra might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. This could increase how much lithium is in the body and result in serious side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider before using this product if you are taking lithium. Your lithium dose might need to be changed.
- Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs) interacts with CHANCA PIEDRA
Chanca piedra might decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking chanca piedra along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.
Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.
CHANCA PIEDRA Dosing
The appropriate dose of chanca piedra depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for chanca piedra. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
