A botanical formula which combines 5 plants traditionally used in South America for cleansing and detoxing the kidneys and urinary tract system.* For more complete information on these unique rainforest plant ingredients, please see the online Tropical Plant Database.

Ingredients: A proprietary blend of chanca piedra, jatoba, anamu, matico, and amor seco. To prepare this natural remedy yourself: use two parts chanca piedra and 1 part each of the remaining herbs in the list. To make a small amount... "1 part" could be one tablespoon (you'd have 6 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 teaspoon of the extract twice daily or as directed by a health professional.
Contraindications: Not to be used during pregnancy or while breast-feeding.
Drug Interactions: May potentiate or enhance the effect of antihypertensive and diuretic medications.
Other Observations:
1. Several plants in this formula have been documented to reduce blood pressure in animal studies. Individuals with low blood pressure should be monitored for this possible effect.
2. Several plants in this formula have diuretic activity. Chronic long-term use of any diuretic can cause electrolyte and mineral imbalances which should be monitored.

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Third-Party Published Research*

This rainforest formula has not been the subject of any clinical research. Available third-party research on each ingredient in this formula can be found in the Tropical Plant Database (click on the ingredient names below) or on PubMed. A partial listing of published research on these ingredients is shown below:

Chanca Piedra (Phyllanthus niruri)
In human studies, researchers reported that chanca promoted the elimination of stones and produced a significant increase in urine output as well as sodium and creatine excretion.* In in vitro and animal studies, researchers indicated that chanca piedra had the ability to block the formation of calcium oxalate crystals and prevent kidney stone formation.* In addition, chanca piedra demonstrated in vitro antibacterial actions against Staphylococcus, Micrococcus, and Pasteurella bacteria in other published research.*
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.
Kumar, K. B., et al. "Chemoprotective activity of an extract of Phyllanthus amarus against cyclophosphamide induced toxicity in mice." Phytomedicine. 2005; 12(6-7): 494-500.
Kloucek, P., et al. "Antibacterial screening of some Peruvian medicinal plants used in Calleria District." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Jun; 99(2): 309-12.
Agrawal, A., et al. "Evaluation of inhibitory effect of the plant Phyllanthus amarus against dermatophytic fungi Microsporum gypseum." Biomed. Environ. Sci. 2004 Sep; 17(3): 359-65.
Farouk, A., et al. "Antimicrobial activity of certain Sudanese plants used in folkloric medicine. Screening for antibacterial activity (I)." Fitoterapia 1983; 54(1): 3-7.

Jatoba (Hymenaea courbaril)
Jatoba contains terpene and phenolic chemicals which are responsible for protecting the tree from fungi in the rainforest. In fact, the jatoba tree is one of the few trees in the rainforest that sports a completely clean trunk bark, without any of the usual mold and fungus found on many other trees in this wet and humid environment. These antifungal terpenes and phenolics have been documented in several studies over the years and the antifungal activity of jatoba is attributed to these chemicals.* Other laboratory studies have been performed on jatoba since the early 1970s which have shown that it has antimicrobial, molluscicidal, and antibacterial activities, including in vitro actions against such organisms as E. coli, Psuedomonas, Staphylococcus and Bacillus.*
Abdel-Kader, M., et al. "Isolation and absolute configuration of ent-Halimane diterpenoids from Hymenaea courbaril from the Suriname rain forest." J. Nat. Prod. 2002; 65(1): 11-5.
Yang, D., et al. "Use of caryophyllene oxide as an antifungal agent in an in vitro experimental model of onychomycosis." Mycopathologia. 1999; 148(2): 79-82.
Rahalison, L., et al. "Screening for antifungal activity of Panamanian plants." Inst. J. Pharmacog. 1993; 31(1): 68-76.
Verpoorte, R., et al. "Medicinal plants of Surinam. IV. Antimicrobial activity of some medicinal plants." J. Ethnopharmacol. 1987; 21(3): 315-18.
Rouquayrol, M. Z., et. al. "Antifungal activity of essential oils from Northeastern Brazilian plants." Rev. Brasil Pesq. Med. Biol. 1980;13: 135-143.
Arrhenius, S.P., et al. "Inhibitory effects of Hymenaea and Copaifera leaf resins on the leaf fungus, Pestalotia subcuticulari." Biochem. Syst. Ecol. 1983; 11(4): 361-366.
Rahalison, L., "Antifungal tests in phytochemical investigations: comparison of bioautographic methods using phytopathogenic and human pathogenic fungi." Planta Med. 1994 Feb; 60(1): 41-4.
Caceres, A., et al. "Plants used in Guatemala for the treatment of dermatomucosal infections. 1: Screening of 38 plant extracts." J. Ethnopharmacol. 1991; 33(3): 277-283.

Anamu (Petiveria alliacea)
Anamu has demonstrated broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties against numerous strains of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and yeast in in vitro laboratory research over the years.*
Kim, S., et al. "Antibacterial and antifungal activity of sulfur-containing compounds from Petiveria alliacea L." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Oct 13;
Kubec, R., et al. "The lachrymatory principle of Petiveria alliacea." Phytochemistry. 2003 May; 63(1): 37-40.
Ruffa, M. J., et al. "Antiviral activity of Petiveria alliacea against the bovine diarrhea virus. Chemotherapy 2002; 48(3): 144-47.
Benevides, P. J., et al. "Antifungal polysulphides from Petiveria alliacea L." Phytochemistry. 2001; 57(5): 743-7.
Caceres, A., et al. "Plants used in Guatemala for the treatment of protozoal infections. I. Screening of activity to bacteria, fungi and American trypanosomes of 13 native plants." J. Ethnopharmacol. 1998 Oct; 62(3): 195-202.
Berger, I., et al. "Plants used in Guatemala for the treatment of protozoal infections: II. Activity of extracts and fractions of five Guatemalan plants against Trypanosoma cruzi." J. Ethnopharmacol. 1998 Sep; 62(2): 107-15.
Hoyos, L., et al. "Evaluation of the genotoxic effects of a folk medicine, Petiveria alliaceae (Anamu)." Mutat. Res. 1992; 280(1): 29-34.
Caceres, A., et al. "Plants used in Guatemala for the treatment of dermatophytic infections. I. Screening for antimycotic activity of 44 plant extracts." J. Ethnopharmacol. 1991; 31(3): 263-76.
Misas, C.A.J., et al. "The biological assessment of Cuban plants. III." Rev. Cub. Med. Trop. 1979; 31(1): 21-27.
Von Szczepanski, C., et al. "Isolation, structure elucidation and synthesis of an antimicrobial substance from Petiveria alliacea." Arzneim-Forsch 1972; 22: 1975-.

Matico (Piper aduncum)
In independent third-party research matico has demonstrated broad spectrum antimicrobial properties against various bacteria, fungi, yeast, and viruses.*
Kloucek, P., et al. "Antibacterial screening of some Peruvian medicinal plants used in Calleria district." J. Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Jun; 99(2): 309-12.
Lemos, T. L. G., et al. "Antimicrobial activity of essential oils of Brazilian plants." Phytother. Res. 1990; 4(2): 82-84.
Lentz, D. L., et al. "Antimicrobial properties of Honduran medicinal plants." J. Ethnopharmacol. 1998; 63(3): 253-263.
Trillini, B., et al. "Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oil of Piper angustifolium." Planta Med. 1996; 62(4): 372-373.
Orjala, J., et al. "Cytotoxic and antibacterial dihydrochalcones from Piper aduncum." J. Nat. Prod. 1994; 57(1): 18-26
Orjala, J., et al. "Five new prenylated p-hydroxybenzoic acid derivatives with antimicrobial and molluscicidal activity from Piper aduncum leaves." Planta Med. 1993; 59(6): 546-551.
Orjala, J., et al. "Aduncamide, a cytotoxic and antibacterial beta-phenylethylamine-derived amide from Piper aduncum." Nat. Prod. Lett. 1993; 2(3): 231-236.
Lemos, T. L. G., et al. "Antimicrobial activity of essential oils of Brazilian plants." Phytother. Res. 1990; 4(2): 82-84.
Lago, J. H., et al. "Benzoic acid derivatives from Piper species and their fungitoxic activity against Cladosporium cladosporioides and C. sphaerospermum." J. Nat. Prod. 2004; 67(11):1783-8.
Navickiene, H., et al. "Composition and antifungal activity of essential oils from Piper aduncum, Piper arboreum and Piper tuberculatum." Quim. Nova. 2006; 20( 3): 467-470.
Lohezic, L. E., et al. "Antiviral and cytotoxic activities of some Indonesian plants." Fitoterapia. 2002 Aug; 73(5): 400-5.

Amor Seco (Desmodium adscendens)
Amor seco contains a chemical called dehydrosoyasaponin which was cited as being "the most potent known potassium (maxi-K) channel opener."* This action is thought to contribute to its antispasmodic and diuretic action in the urinary tract.*
Barreto, G. S. "Effect of butanolic fraction of Desmodium adscendens on the anococcygeus of the rat." Braz. J. Biol. 2002 May; 62(2): 223-30.
Addy, M. E., et al. "Several chromatographically distinct fractions of Desmodium adscendens inhibit smooth muscle contractions." Int. J. Crude Drug Res. 1989; 27(2): 81-91.
Addy, M. E., et al. "Some secondary plant metabolites in Desmodium adscendens and their effects on arachidonic acid metabolism." Prostaglandins Leukotrienes Essent. Fatty Acids 1992; 47(1): 85-91.
McManus, O. B., et al. "An activator of calcium-dependent potassium channels isolated from a medicinal herb." Biochemistry 1993; 32(24): 6128-33.
Addy, M. E., et al. "Effect of Desmodium adscendens fractions on antigen- and arachidonic acid-induced contractions of guinea pig airways." Can. J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 1987; 66(6): 820-25.
Addy, M. E., et al. "An extract of Desmodium adscendens activates cyclooxygenase and increases prostaglandin synthesis by ram seminal vesicle microsomes." Phytother. Res. 1995; 9(4): 287-93.

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