The genus Phyllanthus (family: Phyllanthaceae) is one of the most important groups of plants traded as a raw herbal drug in India (Ved and Goraya, 2008). Plants of this genus have been used in traditional medicine for a variety of uses, including as an antipyretic, laxative, tonic, antibacterial, antioxidative, immunomodulatory, antiviral, antiatherosclerotic, and antineoplasic (Unander et al., 1991, 1995; Calixto et al., 1998). In India, Phyllanthus is used as a common folk remedy for the treatment of jaundice and hepatitis. The genus is also used as a general tonic and to treat weakness in infants (Unander et al., 1991). A number of taxa are cultivated for their fleshy edible fruits and for preparation of herbal drugs. Among the Phyllanthus species in India, P. amarus, P. debilis, P. fraternus, P. urinaria, P. kozhikodianus, P.maderaspatensis, P. emblica, and P. indofischeri are widely used as herbal medicines, and some of these species are also cultivated in southern India (Table 5.1). Phyllanthus amarus, a predominant species occurring in southern India, has been shown to suppress the growth and replication of hepatitis B virus (Venkateswaran et al., 1987; Thyagarajan et al., 1988; Yeh et al., 1993; Jayaram and Thyagarajan, 1996; Lee et al., 1996; Paranjape, 2001). A few species, such as P. amarus, P. fraternus, and P. debilis, have been reported to be extensively used for curing jaundice; P. urinaria has been recommended for curing urinary tract diseases (Table 5.1; Jain et al., 2008). Phyllanthin and hypophyllanthin, both present in P. amarus, have been shown to protect hepatocytes against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and galactosamine-induced cytotoxicity in rats (Syamasundar et al., 1985). Phyllanthus emblica is another medicinally important species widely distributed across the Indian subcontinent. It is commonly called the Indian gooseberry. Traditionally, it has been used to treat digestive disorders, constipation, fever, cough, and asthma and to stimulate hair growth. Extracts of P. emblica have been shown to possess several pharmacological actions, such as analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and chemoprotective, (Calixto et al., 1998; Vormisto et al., 1997; Khopde et al., 2001). The fruits contain diterpenes; triterpenes; lupeol; flavonoids such as kaempherol-3-O-fl-D-glucoside and quercetin-3-O-fl-D-lucoside; polyphenols such as emblicanin A and B; punigluconin and pedunculagin, and other molecules (Calixto et al., 1998; Bhattacharya et al., 1999; Summanen, 1999; Ghosal et al., 1996). Phyllanthus emblica fruits are used for preparations of pickles, jams, and juices. The fruits are also used by the cosmetic, hair dye and shampoo industries (Ganesan and Shetty, 2004). The annual volume of Phyllanthus trade in India is estimated to be about 2,000–5,000 metric tonnes of herbaceous material and about 16,000–18,000 metric tonnes of fruits (Ved and Goraya, 2008). Several species are also exported in powder form for the extraction of a number of phytochemicals or for use in the preparation of traditional formulations in the treatment of liver disorders (Kamble et al., 2008). Because of its multifarious use and demand, Phyllanthus species form an important nontimber forest product resource. Most of the material for trade is sourced from the wild by forest-dwelling communities, and only a small percentage is obtained from cultivation (Ved and Goraya, 2008).