Overview of Black Catnip
Scientific Name: Phyllanthus amarus
Order: Malpighiales
Family: Phyllanthaceae
A species of Phyllanthus that is native to South and Southeast Asia. Similar to Phyllanthus niruri and Phyllanthus urinaria, this plant is also being used to treat hepatitis B and other liver problems. However, do not confuse this plant with Phyllanthus niruri and Phyllanthus urinaria.
- Decreased Appetite
- Nausea
- Stomach Ache
- Use caution or contact a licensed healthcare practitioner, since there is not enough research on the use of supplements containing black catnip.
There is not enough research on the use of supplements containing black catnip during pregnancy and breast-feeding, so consult a licensed healthcare practitioner before use or avoid use.
Black catnip is not a "drug", the best doses have not been thoroughly established. Make sure to follow the specific product instructions and take as directed on the label, or consult a licensed healthcare practitioner before use.
1. Doshi JC, Vaidya AB, Antarkar DS, Deolalikar R, Antani DH. A two-stage clinical trial of Phyllanthus amarus in hepatitis B carriers: failure to eradicate the surface antigen. Indian J Gastroenterol. 1994 Jan;13(1):7-8. 2. Narendranathan M, Remla A, Mini PC, Satheesh P. A trial of Phyllanthus amarus in acute viral hepatitis. Trop Gastroenterol. 1999 Oct-Dec;20(4):164-6. 3. Thamlikitkul V, Wasuwat S, Kanchanapee P. Efficacy of Phyllanthus amarus for eradication of hepatitis B virus in chronic carriers. J Med Assoc Thai. 1991 Sep;74(9):381-5. 4. Thyagarajan SP, Subramanian S, Thirunalasundari T, Venkateswaran PS, Blumberg BS. Effect of Phyllanthus amarus on chronic carriers of hepatitis B virus. Lancet. 1988 Oct 1;2(8614):764-6. 5. Wang M, Cheng H, Li Y, Meng L, Zhao G, et al. Herbs of the genus Phyllanthus in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B: observations with three preparations from different geographic sites. J Lab Clin Med. 1995 Oct;126(4):350-2. 6. Xin-Hua W, Chang-Qing L, Xing-Bo G, Lin-Chun F. A comparative study of Phyllanthus amarus compound and interferon in the treatment of chronic viral hepatitis B. Southeast Asian J Trop Med Public Health. 2001 Mar;32(1):140-2. 7. Srividya N, Periwal S. Diuretic, hypotensive and hypoglycaemic effect of Phyllanthus amarus. Indian J Exp Biol. 1995 Nov;33(11):861-4. 8. Ajaiyeoba EO, Falade CO, Fawole OI, Akinboye DO, Gbotosho GO, et al. Efficacy of herbal remedies used by herbalists in Oyo State Nigeria for treatment of Plasmodium falciparum infections--a survey and an observation. Afr J Med Med Sci. 2004 Jun;33(2):115-9. 9. Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C, editors. PDR for herbal medicines. 4th ed. Montvale, NJ, USA: Thomson Healthcare; 2007. 10. Liu J, Lin H, McIntosh H. Genus Phyllanthus for chronic hepatitis B virus infection: a systematic review. J Viral Hepat. 2001 Sep;8(5):358-66. 11. Srividya N, Periwal S. Diuretic, hypotensive and hypoglycaemic effect of Phyllanthus amarus. Indian J Exp Biol. 1995 Nov;33(11):861-4. 12. Afendi FM, Okada T, Yamazaki M, Hirai-Morita A, Nakamura Y, Nakamura K, Ikeda S, Takahashi H, Altaf-Ul-Amin M, Darusman LK, Saito K, Kanaya S. KNApSAcK family databases: integrated metabolite-plant species databases for multifaceted plant research. Plant Cell Physiol. 2012 Feb;53(2):e1.