Mondia whitei seedlings

Phyllanthus consists of the fresh or dried leafy tops of Phylanthus niruri. A glabrous annual herb 30-50cm high with grooved stem; slightly winged branchless; leaves simple, alternate and distichous, oblong-elleptical rounded at both ends.  It is considered to be useful in the treatment of thirst, bronchitis, leprosy, anaemia, urinary discharge, anuria, biliousness, asthma, hiccups. The plant is used to treat syphilitic blennorrhoea. The root is diuretic. It is used to remove bladder stones, and is a remedy for jaundice. An infusion of the tender fresh roots is valuable in the treatment of chronic dysentery