Chanca piedra is used for various disorders of the urinary tract including infections, pain and swelling (inflammation), kidney stones, and discharge from the urethra or vagina. It is also used for digestive tract disorders including gas, loss of appetite, stomach ache, intestinal infections, constipation, and dysentery.

Some people use chanca piedra as a liver tonic and for liver problems including hepatitis B. Other uses include treating diabetes, gallstones, colic, flu, swine flu, yellowing of the skin (jaundice), abdominal tumors, pain around the rectum, fever, sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis and gonorrhea, malaria, tumors, caterpillar stings, cough, fluid retention, itching, miscarriage, tremors, typhoid, anemia, asthma, bronchitis, thirst, tuberculosis, and dizziness.

Traditionally, phyllanthus has been used to treat jaundice, gonorrhea, frequent menstruation, dysentery and diabetes.Clinical studies conducted with the extract of this plant, points to its great therapeutic efficacy, in the treatment of hepatitis B. It has also been shown to be effective against infective hepatitis (hepatitis A). It has antifungal, antiviral, and anticancer properties.