- Region
- Oceania
- Origin
- Originally tropical America; now a pantropical weed in Australia, Asia and Africa. Euphorbia hirta
- Sanskrit
- Dugadhika
- Other names
- Astmakruid
Oceania · Herb · № 178
Euphorbia hirta
Herb · Oceania
Asthma weed
Euphorbia hirta
Traditionally used for asthma and bronchitis (the name asthma weed comes from Queensland), for diarrhoea and externally for warts. There is laboratory research but no good clinical evidence.
Safety notes
The milky sap irritates skin and eyes. Large amounts cause nausea and vomiting. Asthma needs medical treatment; avoid in pregnancy.
Preparation
The herb as tea or tincture in small amounts; the milky sap externally. No dosage is given here.
Use in traditions
Ody describes it as 'Queensland asthma weed' in Australian herbal medicine. It is also used in Ayurveda (dudhi), African folk medicine and South-East Asia. It is an example of a plant that spread throughout the tropics with world trade.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Herbal medicine worldwide
Attributed effects
For asthma, respiratory complaints and skin ulcers.
Preparation and amount
Tea or decoction of E. hirta for asthma, cough and bronchial complaints; tea as a wash for skin ulcers; nectar of E. atoto for sore throat; leaf as a breast compress to stimulate milk production.
Ayurvedic materia medica
Attributed effects
Expels worms, expectorant, antiprotozoal; for worms, intestinal complaints and cough in children, bronchitis, asthma, dysentery, colds, warts.
Preparation and amount
Tea 14–28 ml; decoction 28–56 ml; juice; milky sap on warts.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)DecoctionTinctureCompress, poultice and paste