Euphorbia for Treating Gastro-Intestinal Disorders

Morphology and Distribution of Euphorbia:

The Biological Name of Euphorbia is  Euphorbia hirta that belongs to the Family Euphorbiaceae.

Euphorbia is a small perennial herb with milky latex in all parts of the plant. Seeds are blue coloured. Euphorbia is grown throughout the hotter parts of India. The whole plant is useful.

Synonyms of Euphorbia:

• Hindi – Lal dudhi
• Sanskrit – Dugudhika
• Bengali – Barokheruie
• Marathi – Dudhi, mothi dudhi
• Gujarati – Dudeli
• Telugu – Bidarie
• Tamil – Amam patchaiarisi
• Malayalam – Nela palai

Properties of Euphorbia:

• Hypoglycemic
• Expectorant
• Anti-dysentric
• Anthelmintic

Phytochemicals present in Euphorbia:

The phytochemicals which are present in the Euphorbia are alkaloids, essential oils, phenols, sterol, flavones and fatty acids.

Forms of use of Euphorbia:

It is used in the form of infusion, juice, paste and decoction.

Medicinal uses and Health Benefits of Euphorbia:

• The plant juice of Euphorbia is useful in dysentery.
• The paste is made with water by collecting some euphorbia plants, filtered and taken two or three times a day. It is used as a treatment for dysentery, abdominal pain and tenesmus.
• The whole euphorbia plant is used in diseases of children in worms, bowel complaints and cough etc.
• The decoction of the euphorbia plant is given in bronchial infections and asthma.
• The latex of the euphorbia plant is used as application for warts.

Doses of Euphorbia for Gastro-Intestinal Disorders:

• Infusion – 14 to 28 ml
• Decoction – 28 to 56 ml