Overview
Bhumyamalaki is one of the herbs traditionally used in Ayurveda for liver disorders. This is a very bitter-tasting small shrub that literally means ‘the amalaki of the earth’ as this very low-lying shrub’s leaves resemble the pattern and shape of her somewhat grander celestial namesake. Amalaki (Emblica officinalis) is referred to in some books as Phyllanthus emblica. Bhumiamalaki is a wonderful liver remedy that is also effective for clearing gall and bladder stones.
How Bhumyamalaki Helps with Liver Disorders
According to Ayurvedic pharmacology, Bhumyamalaki has specific properties that make it valuable for addressing liver disorders:
- Potency (Virya): Cooling
- Post-digestive (Vipaka): Sweet
- Taste (Rasa): Bitter, astringent, sweet
- Qualities (Guna): Dry, light
Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- Bitter, astringent, sweet
- Quality (Guna)
- Dry, light
- Potency (Virya)
- Cooling
- Post-digestive (Vipaka)
- Sweet
- Dosha Effect
- PK<, V
- Key Constituents
- Lignans Phyllanthin, hypophyllanthin Flavonoids Astragalin, rutin, quercetin Triterpenes Lupeol, sitosterol Alkaloids Tannin Geraniin (Bone 1996, Williamson 2002)
- Dhatu
- Plasma, blood, fat, reproductive
- Srotas
- Digestive, reproductive, urinary
▶ Classical Text References (2 sources)
), tamalaka (Phyllanthus urinaria Linn.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 17: Hiccup and Dyspnea Treatment (Hikka Shvasa Chikitsa / हिक्काश्वासचिकित्सा)
Juice of tamalaki (Phyllanthus urinaria Linn.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 17: Hiccup and Dyspnea Treatment (Hikka Shvasa Chikitsa / हिक्काश्वासचिकित्सा)
), sauvarchala (variety of salt), tamalaki (Phyllanthus urinaria Linn.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 17: Hiccup and Dyspnea Treatment (Hikka Shvasa Chikitsa / हिक्काश्वासचिकित्सा)
[258-259] Krishna sarpa vasadi –rasakriya: Rasakriya (thin paste) prepared of the fat of black snake cobra, honey, the juice of amalaki – phyllanthus emblicais useful in curing all eye-diseases like kacha (cataract), arbuda (tumor in the eyes) and discharge from the eyes.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)
Five pala each of pippali – Piper longum, triphala (haritaki–Terminalia chebula, vibhitaka –Terminalia bellerica, amalaki–Phyllanthus emblica), anjana, prapaundarika, manjistha – Rubia cordifolia, lodhra – Symplocos racemose, black variety of aguru – Aquallaria agallocha, utpala – Nymphaea alba, amrasthi (seeds of Mango –Mangifera indica), krishna – kardama (black mud), mrinala – Lotus stalk, rakta chandana- Pterocapus santalinus Linn.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 17: Hiccup and Dyspnea Treatment (Hikka Shvasa Chikitsa / हिक्काश्वासचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 26: Three Vital Organs Treatment (Trimarmiya Chikitsa / त्रिमर्मीयचिकित्सा)
Also: Bala (Sida cordifolia), Bhumi Amali (Phyllanthus niruri), Vasa (Adhatoda vasica), Mudgaparni (Phaseolus trilobus), Jivanti (Leptadenia reticulata), Shati (Hedychium spicatum), Jivaka (Microstylis wallichii), Rishabha (Microstylis muscifera), Musta (Cyperus rotundus), Pushkara (Inula racemosa), and Kakanasika (Martynia annua).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 8: Avalehakalpana (Confection/Electuary Preparations)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 8: Avalehakalpana (Confection/Electuary Preparations)
Safety & Precautions
Safety: No drug–herb interactions are known.
Other Herbs for Liver Disorders
See all herbs for liver disorders on the Liver Disorders page.
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.