Euphorbia hirta Linn.

Synonym:

E. pilulifera auct. non Linn.

Family:

Euphorbiaceae.

Habitat:

Throughout warmer regions of India.

English:

Euphorbia, Australian Asthma Weed, Pill-bearing Spurge.

Ayurvedic:

Dudhi, Dudhikaa, Naagaarjuni, Vikshirini.

Unani:

Dudhi Khurd.

Siddha/Tamil:

Amman pachharisi.

Action:

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.

The herb contains several terpenes, anthocyanins, alcohols and steroids. Aerial parts also gave shikimic acid, choline, L-inositol and free sugars.

Antiasthmatic activity is attributed to choline and shikimic acid. Shikimic acid and choline showed relaxant and contracting properties on guinea-pig ileum.

The aqueous extract of the herb exhibited sedative, anxiolytic, analgesic, antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activities; exerted an inhibitory...