How to Make Chanca Piedra Tea From Fresh Leaves

Chanca piedra is an herb that grows in the Amazon basin as well as other tropical rain forests around the world. Chanca piedra is used for many different health disorders but is especially prized for its ability to dissolve kidney stones; hence its name, which means "stone breaker" in English. A study published in the journal Urological Research in February 2003 found that an extract of chanca piedra was able to interfere with the formation of calcium oxalate crystals, which lead to kidney stones. The researchers in the study concluded that chanca piedra may be an alternative treatment for urolithiasis (kidney stones).

Things You'll Need

• Chanca piedra leaves
• Medium-size pot

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Instructions

• 1

  Buy chanca piedra leaves from a Latin American grocery store, health food store or online retailer that specializes in herbs from South America.

• 2

  Bring four cups of water to boil and then reduce heat to a low rolling boil.

• 3

  Add 2 tsp. chanca piedra leaves to the hot water and stir.

• 4

  Cover the pot and let simmer for 20-to-30 minutes.

• 5

  Drink three cups of tea a day to dispel kidney stones or one to two cups a day for general maintenance or other uses.