EUPHORBIA HIRTA

The common name for Euphoria Hirta is

Snakeweed. In Hindi it is known with the name Dudhi and the Sanskrit name is

Dugadhika. It is a popular folklore medicine for relieving

dengue in Philippines. The plant has the reputation of increasing flow of
milk in lactating women. Other women related disorders and respiratory tract disorders

are relieved with this plant. This plant is indigenous to India and is found on wastelands

and roadsides.
PARTS OF THE PLANT USED
Whole plant is used as a medicinal supplement.
CHARACTERISTICS OF EUPHORBIA HIRTA
It is an erect, small, ascending, annual plant which reaches a height of 50 cm. The stem

is hairy and the leaves are oblong, elliptical. Flowers are small, crowded and numerous

seen together in thick cymes about 1cm in diameter. The fruits are yellow in colour, three

celled, hairy and have keeled capsules which are around 1-2 mm in diameter. They

contain three four sided, brown, wrinkled and angular seeds.

THERAPEUTIC POWERS OF EUPHORBIA HIRTA
This plant is known for its benefits in relieving female disorders. Other ailments like

cough, coryza, respiratory ailments, asthma and bronchitis are also relieved with the

help of Euphorbia Hirta. In India is has been used for relieving worm infestations

usually seen in children, jaundice, gonorrhea, pimples, tumors and digestive problems.
NUTRIENT COMPOSITION
It comprises of triterpenes, phytosterols, alkanes, polyphenols, tannins and flavonoids.
CARE FOR AILMENTS
THIS HERB OFFERS RELIEVES FOR SEVERAL AILMENTS. SOME OF THESE
ARE:

Bronchitis: In Ayurveda an extract of the Euphorbia Hirta is given to

bronchitis patients. Other symptoms like colds, bronchitis, asthma and coughs are

also relieved.
Venereal diseases: The extract of this plant is effective in controlling

venereal diseases like gonorrhea and syphilis.

Impotency: This herb is useful in relieving sexual disorders which are seen

in men. Impotency and premature ejaculation are controlled by using this herb.
Female disorders: Euphorbia relieves several female disorders. A decoction

made from the root of the plant increases lactation in women nursing their babies.
Diarrhea: Symptoms of diarrhea and dysentery can be controlled using this

herb.
Mouth ulcers: A decoction made from the root of Euphorbia plant is used

for gargling to relieve thrush and mouth ulcers.

OTHER USES

uphorbia hirta Ammam Paccharisi Dudhi, ,

Ammam Paccharisi, Nelapalai, Barokarni,

Euphorbia hirta L.
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Bengali: Barokarni
Common name: Asthma Weed, Common spurge, Cats hair
Cebuano - Mangagaw
Chinese:
Hindi: Bara dudhi
Indonesian: Patikan kebo

Kannada: Achchedida
Konkani: Dudurli
Malayalam: Nelapalai,
Manipuri: Pakhamba maton
Marathi: Dudhi, Nayati-
Oriya:
Tamil: Ammam Paccharisi
Urdu: lal dodhak
Thai:
Telugu: Nanabalu,

Synonyms: Chamaesyce gemella (Lag.) Small , Chamaesyce hirta (L.) Millsp. ,

Chamaesyce karwinskyi (Boiss.) Millsp. , Chamaesyce rosei Millsp. , Desmonema hirta
(L.) Raf. , Ditritea hirta (L.) Raf. , Euphorbia bancana Miq. , Euphorbia capitata Lam. ,
Euphorbia chrysochaeta W.Fitzg. , Euphorbia gemella Lag. , Euphorbia globulifera Kunth ,
Euphorbia karwinskyi Boiss. , Euphorbia nodiflora Steud. , Euphorbia obliterata Jacq. ,
Euphorbia verticillata Vell. [Illegitimate] , Chamaesyce hirta (L.) Small , Euphorbia
pilulifera Jacq. , Tithymalus pilulifer (L.) Moench , Chamaesyce hirta var. glaberrima
(Koidz.) H.Hara , Chamaesyce hirta f. glaberrima (Koidz.) Hurus. , Chamaesyce hirta var.
laeticincta Croizat , Chamaesyce hirta f. litoralis Hurus. , Chamaesyce pekinensis var.
glaberrima (Koidz.) Makino & Nemoto , Chamaesyce pilulifera var. glaberrima (Koidz.)
H.Hara , Euphorbia hirta var. destituta L.C.Wheeler , Euphorbia hirta var. glaberrima
Koidz. , Euphorbia pilulifera var. arechavaletae Herter , Euphorbia pilulifera var. discolor
Engelm. , Euphorbia pilulifera var. glabrescens Thell. , Euphorbia pilulifera var.
guaranitica Chodat & Hassl. , Euphorbia pilulifera var. hirta (L.) Thell. , Euphorbia
pilulifera var. hirta (L.) Griseb. , Euphorbia pilulifera f. humifusa Domin , Euphorbia
pilulifera var. obliterata (Jacq.) Hitchc. , Euphorbia pilulifera f. rubromaculata Domin ,
Euphorbia pilulifera f. viridis Domin

Phytoconstituents: Euphorbon, euphosterol, camphol, leucocyanidol, xanthorhamnin,

taraxerol, taraxerone, myricitrin, euphorbianin and others.

Uses: The whole plant is decocted for athletes foot, dysentery, enteritis, fever, gas, itch,
and skin conditions. It is also regarded as anodyne, depurative, diuretic, lactogogue,
purgative, and vermifuge. The plant is used for asthma, bronchitis, calculus, colic,
cough, dyspnoea eruptions, excrescences, i nfluenza, fractures, gonorrhoea, headache,
hypertension, measles, nausea, ophthalmia, sores, splinters, stomachache, tumours,
urogenital ailments, warts and wounds. In Central Province of Papua New Guinea, the
plant is boiled and the solution is taken by patients who pass blood in the urine. The
Chinese use the plant to treat fever, dysentery and skin
conditions. In the Philippines and Indonesia, the plant is used to treat bowel problems.
The latex is used on warts and abscesses. [A Guide to Medicinal Plants An Illustrated,
Scientific and Medicinal Approach]

Activities: Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Amebicide, Analgesic, Anthelmintic,

Antiaggregant, Antiallergic, Anticancer, Anticonvulsant, Antidiabetic, Antidiarrheal,
Antiedemic, Antiemetic, Antifertility, Antihistaminic, Antiinflammatory, Antileukemic,
Antimalarial, Antiplasmodial, Antiplatelet, Antiprostaglandin, Antiseptic, Antispasmodic,
Antiviral, Anxiolytic, Aphrodisiac, Astringent, Bactericide, Bronchodilator,
Bronchorelaxant, Carcinogenic, Cardiodepressant, Cicatrizant, Curare, Cytotoxic,
Diuretic,, Emetic, Expectorant, Febrifuge, Gram-icide, Gram-icide, Hemostat,
Hydragogue, Hypoglycemic, Hypotensive, Immunosuppressive, Insecticide, Irritant,
Lactagogue, Laxative, Litholytic, Mastogenic, Molluscacide, Myorelaxant, Narcotic,
Oxytocic, Parasiticide, Plasmodicide, Purgative, Respirodepressant, Respirostimulant,
Sedative, Stimulant, Vulnerary . [Duke's Handbook of Medicinal Plants of Latin America]

Pectoral, antiasthmatic, antispasmodic. Used for asthma, laryngitis, chronic nasal and
bronchial catarrh; diarrhoea, dysentery, intestinal parasitosis Also used in postnatal
complaints, failure of lactation. Latex vermifuge. Used in diseases of urinogenitory
tract. [Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary]

Uses: In Indonesia, the latex is used to treat ringworm infection and heal wounds. A
decoction of this herb is used to treat asthma and assuage bronchial discomfort. The
leaves are chewed to facilitate abortion, and the flowers are used to treat barrenness. In
Malaysia, the latex is used to treat diseased eyes, heal wounds and soothe bruises. A
decoction consisting of about 70 g of the fresh herb is drunk to promote urination, stop
dysentery, remove blood from urine, assuage urethral pain and treat asthma. The plant
is applied externally to treat dermatitis, eczema and irritated skin. A paste is used to
soothe sores, and heal boils. In the Philippines, the leaves are mixed with those of
Datura metel L. to make cigarettes which are smoked treat asthma. The plant is used to
check bleeding, to calm a person, and stimulate the secretion of sweat. In Vietnam,
Euphorbia hirta L. is used to stop dysentery. The dried entire Euphorbia hirta L.
(Euphorbia, British Pharmaceutical Codex, 1954) was used in Britain in the form of a
liquid extract (Euphorbia Liquid Extract, British Pharmaceutical Codex, 1949) in the
treatment of cough or asthma. [Medicinal Plants of The Aisa-Pacific: Drugs for The
Future?]