(Phyllanthaceae ) Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels

Local name(s): 

Medicinal use(s): used as a tonic.

Part(s) used: stem and twigs.

Field Characters: Shrub or medium-sized tree, up to 5 m high, much branched. Leaves alternate, fruits round.

Locality: Champasak Province, Champasak District, Khanyeng Village.

Habitat: 

Altitude:  m asl. 

Collector(s): S. Bouamanivong, K. Phapkaysone, O. Keokongtone

Collection number(s): LAOS_799

Collection Date: June 6, 2005

Additional information:  

Voucher specimen is in deposit at the Field Museum (F) Herbarium, Chicago, USA, under accession no. 2282824.

Synonyms, images, taxonomic description: 


Plants of the World onlinePham Hoang Ho - Cayco Vietnam vol. 2, p. 190, plant #4693GBIF | Global Biodiversity Information Facility

Medicinal properties:

Brooks R, Goldson-Barnaby A, Bailey D. Nutritional and Medicinal Properties of Phyllanthus Acidus L. (Jimbilin). International Journal of Fruit Science 2020, 20 (sup 3), S1706–S1710. https://doi.org/10.1080/15538362.2020.1830013  

D'Souza R. Star gooseberry uses, remedy, research, sde effects. Easy Ayurveda Hospital. https://www.easyayurveda.com/star-gooseberry/ 

Mao X, Wu LF, Guo HL, et al. The Genus Phyllanthus: An Ethnopharmacological, Phytochemical, and Pharmacological Review. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2016;2016:7584952.  doi: 10.1155/2016/7584952 

Rupa M, Radha R, Naveem M, Jeevitha C. Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels: A Comprehensive Review of Its Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Perspectives. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 2025, volume 03, issue 09. Article Id IJPS/250309250  

Sandhoshini D, Deepa P, Amuda P.  Phyllanthus acidus: A Comprehensive Review of Its Pharmacological Activities. International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Research (IJPPR) 2025, 31 (3): 360-365.   https://ijppr.humanjournals.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/35.D.Sandhoshini1-P.Deepa2-P.-Amudha3.pdf 


Tan SP, Tan EN, Lim QY, Nafiah MA. Phyllanthus acidus (L.) Skeels: A review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological properties. J Ethnopharmacol. 2020, 10, 253:112610. DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2020.112610