Chamberbitter: The Weed worth Griping about

Anyone who lives anywhere near a tropical region has seen this plant before. Most people absolutely hate it due to its invasive nature, but did you know that just like many weeds in your yard, this plant is very beneficial?

Chamberbitter (Phyllanthus urinaria) - aka gripeweed (can you guess why?), little mimosa, leaf flower, stone breaker, shatterstone

So many names for this plant, but so many good uses as well.

Chamberbitter grows from a vertical stem that puts off many side branches. The leaves are oblong and grow in alternating rows on either side of the branches. It looks similar to the leaves of a mimosa tree (hence one of the nicknames). The easiest way to identify Chamberbitter is to look under the leaves. It reproduces by dispersing seeds attached to the underside of each branch.

Chamberbitter contains flavonoids, tannins and phenolic compounds that have hepatoprotective (meaning it helps prevent damage to the liver), antimicrobial, anti-cancer, and antioxidant properties. The entire plant above the ground can be dried and used to make tea, decoctions, and tinctures.

Studies have indicated that Chamberbitter as a decoction has been used to treat Hepatitis B, herpes, diabetes, jaundice, diarrhea, flu, tumors, headaches, fever, colic and stomachaches in small infants, vaginitis, conjunctivitis, menstrual disorders, bloating, indigestion, and genital infections like gonorrhea. It's anti-cancer properties have shown to be effective against a large variety of cancer cells, and a study in 1996 showed the plant helps control HIV. The weed has been shown to be an effective remedy to eliminate gall and kidney stones by inhibiting the formation of the calcium oxalate crystals that make up most kidney stones, and breaking up the stones after the fact.

Chamberbitter tinctures have shown to aid in digestion, reduce blood pressure, even showing effects against the antibiotic resistant bacteria, Helicobacter pylori. The herb protects the cardiovascular system and heart and may help reduce the damage done by diabetes. The fresh herb as a poultice is commonly used as a topical treatment for ulcers, swelling, sores and itches. Cold water, steeped with the fresh herb, is used to treat thrush. Creating a paste from Chamberbitter, rock salt and water has been shown to be beneficial for eye disorders when applied around the eye.

You can dry the weed by a few different methods:

*Hang the whole plant in bundles in a dry place in your home to dry over a week or two

*Cut the plant into pieces and dry on a rack

*Cut the herb and place in a conventional food dehydrator on low

How to make a tea:

1. Boil water, then remove from heat

2. Steep 1 Tbsp of dried herb in the hot water for 10-20 minutes

3. Add honey or sweetener to taste

4. Drink up to 2-3 cups daily

How to make a decoction:

1. Bring 4 cups of filtered water to a boil.

2. Add one cup of packed dried herbs or 2 cups of fresh herbs.

3. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook uncovered until the water is reduced by half.

4. Strain the plant bits out with a strainer or cheesecloth.

5. Bottle and keep in the refrigerator for up to a week.

6. Drink 1-3 cups a day.

How to make a tincture:

1. Fill a jar 2/3 of the way full with chopped dried herb.

2. Cover the herb with any 40 proof or higher alcohol such as vodka or use vegetable glycerine for an alcohol-free version.

3. Place a cover on the jar.

4. Place it is a cool, dark place.

5. Shake the jar every day - be sure no plant matter sticks up out of the liquid.

6. After 30 days, strain the plant matter out of the liquid using cheese cloth.

7. Filter again using a coffee filter - removing the smallest bits of plant material to extend the life of your tincture.

8. Bottle in glass and keep in a cool, dry and dark place.

9. Recommended use is 50 drops 3 to 4 times a day for maintenance or 100 drops 3-4 times a day for treatments during the first two weeks.

Other useful recipes:

*Taking a 1 tsp of decoction every day will reduce/eliminate coughing.

*Eat the leaves (although bitter) will treat hiccups and cough as well.

*Creating a paste with Chamberbitter and water, and when taken with 1 tsp of rock sugar or honey is effective for respiratory diseases.

*Create a paste from the immature leaves and apply it over wounds for healing.

*Create a paste from the leaves and when added with salt will eliminate skin itching.

*Create a paste and when added to black pepper and nutmeg taken internally will treat fever.

*Powder prepared from the whole plant along with black pepper when taken 2-3 times a day is beneficial for diabetes.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “A weed is only a plant whose virtues have not yet been discovered.”  

Good luck!