Phyllanthus niruri: Keezhanelli

Family: Phyllanthaceae
Common name: Keezhanelli, Gale of the wind, Stone breaker, Seed under leaf

A tiny herb that usually grows to a height of 25-30 cm, Keezhanelli has been ascribed many medicinal properties. It used to grow in plenty in the wild, though, with urbanization, the plant is losing its natural habitat.

Plant characteristics
Keezhanelli has a straight stem with bright green leaves branching to both side almost symmetrically, like an umbrella. Leaves are 2-5 cm long, dark green on the upper surface, and light green on the lower surface.

The flowers are pale greenish-yellow, produced underneath the leaves, and are hence unnoticeable.

The most striking feature of the Keezhanelli are the fruits arranged in neat capsules underneath the leaves. Hence the name ‘keezhanelli’ which when roughly translated means ‘berries underneath’.

The fruits are initially green, turning brown as they mature to release numerous seeds contained inside each seed capsule. Once they are mature, the seeds are dispersed by wind, water and small animals that consume them.

Growing tips
Keezhanelli plants need good direct sunlight and well-drained soil. They are capable of tolerating poor soil conditions and water logging, but cannot survive drought.

In home gardens, these plants can be grown in pots or in flowerbeds. They are mostly commonly seen growing with other weeds in the wild. But due to the rampant growth of concrete structures, they are not very commonly found anymore.

Uses of Keezhanelli
The plant is used in traditional medicine for liver ailments and jaundice, skin diseases. They are are used to stop bleeding from snake bites, to treat kidney stones, dysentery, anemia, bronchitis, diabetes – the list goes on.

Parts of the plant are said to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Medicines are usually prepared by powdering the plant, by boiling it in water or from the juice of the plant. The leaves contain an active ingredient ‘Phyllanthin’ which gives it a characteristic bitterness.

Propagation
Propagation is from seeds. Dry seed capsules collected from mature plants can be sown in soil to produce new plants.

Photographed at: Koonammavu, Kerala