Asthma Weed Or Snake Weed Common name: Asthmaweed or snakeweed Botanical name: Euphorbia hirta (Scientific Name Euphorbia hirta L.) Family: Euphorbiaceae Nerella. Susheela and Dr. Afifa Jahan Origin: India, Asia Euphorbia hirta is commonly known as Asthma The plant has gained wide spread attention because • Used for diarrhoea, dysentery especially amoebic weed which belongs to Euphorbiaceae family. of its ability to treat many illness in patients. dysentery. Euphorbiaceae are the largest families of angiosperms. • This plant is used in treatment of various diseases • It is effective in treating cancer cells. Especially It is an annual, branched and traditional hairy herb of children, such as in case of worm infestation, squamous cell carcinomas, malignant melanomas. with many branches from base to top which is bowel complaints, cough etc. • Its extract is used as ear drops. spreading up to 50cms height. It resides in roadsides • Juice of this plant is used in the treatment of • It is used in treatment if boils, sores and in and along pathways. Asthma weed is one among the dysentery and colic. promoting wound healing. therapeutic herbs with numerous pharmacological • Euphorbia hirta L. the Magical herb is used in • It is also used for treating worm infestation in outlines and is a very important medicinal herb. treating wart. All parts of this plant will secrete children. Euphorbia hirta is known with different names in milky latex, which issued in the treatment of wart. • Used for Gonnorhea, jaundice, pimples, digestive various countries of the world according to their The regular application of this latex three times a day problems and tumours. language. As it resembles like an erect snake hence (TDS) up to 15 days is known to cure almost every • The decoction of root of Euphorbia hirta is used in English it is typically called as “SNAKE WEED”. type of wart on any part of the body. to stop vomiting, chronic diarrhea and fevers and It is called as snake weed. In India and Pakistan it is • It is used when there is panic asthma attack by for snake bites. called dudhi or duhani. rubbing it on their heart. • Leaf extract of Euphorbia hirta is used to treat Other vernacular names of E. hirta are sheer jiyah, • Mainly respiratory disorders such bronchitis, edema and hypertension. dudhikalan (unani), raktavindhuchada (sanskrit), cough and asthma. • Effective in the treatment of arthritis. asthama weed, milk weed, cats hair (Australian ) • It acts as prophylatic agent. Used in treating • E. hirta is effective on HIV virus. brokeruee, barakeru (bengali) tawa- tawa (kinaray), many disorders including intestinal diarrhea, peptic • This plant can be used to treat skin infections. It nanbala, bidarie (Telugu), nayeti, goverdhan, ulcers, parasites, vomiting, heart burn, hay fever, is used to address scars and blemishes on skin. dudhali (mah), amumpatchaiyaris Tami. coughs, emphysema, cold, menstrual problems, • In place of warts the white latex from asthma • Asthma weed plant is mostly commonly known kidney stones, venereal and sterility diseases. weed stem can be applied and will gently relieve the as asthma weed because it is used in the treatment • In Philippines asthma weed is commonly known top layer of skin. of asthma and several lungs related respiratory as tawatawa which is used in treating dengue fever. • It is used in regulating excessive white discharge diseases. • It is used as traditional medication for the cure in female • Dry environmental conditions are most suitable of malaria. • For increasing production of milk in lactating for growing of asthma weed. • It is also used for diuretic, anti-diarrhoeal, mothers and also used for many female disorders. • The most easy way to identify asthma weed is when antispasmodic and anti inflammatory. Women should use this plant with extreme care it breaks it flows a milky substance. during pregnancy. Nutrients: It is rich in protein, beta carotene, vitamin c, sodium, potassium, calcium, sulphur, phosphorus, zinc, iron, manganese and copper. Medicinal value: All plant parts of Euphorbia hirta L. are used in medicine. It contains triterpenes, phytosterols, tannins, polyphenols and flavonoids. This plant is used for its antibacterial, antidiarrheal, antimalarial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, galactogenic, antiasthmatic, antifertility, antiamoebicant and fungal property. JUST AGRICULTURE | Jan 2021 30 JUST AGRICULTURE | Jan 2021 31.