Common name: Asthma weed
Family: Euphorbiaceae
Synonyms: Euphorbia pilulifera (L.), Chamaesyce hirta ((L.)Millsp.)
Known Hazards: The sap contains a latex which is toxic on ingestion and highly irritant externally, causing photosensitive skin reactions and severe inflammation, especially on contact with eyes or open cuts. The toxicity can remain high even in dried plant material. Prolonged and regular contact with the sap is inadvisable because of its carcinogenic nature.
Range: E. Asia - China, Japan, India.
Overview: Asthma weed is a very common annual herb in Suriname.This hairy plant grows up to 2' in height; it has numerous small flowers clustered together with opposite oblong leaves.The young yellow fruit is a small hairy capsule with 3 reddish - brown seeds.The plant flowers and fruits all year long. There are the following phytochemicals in asthma weed: sterols, alkaloids, tannins, glycosides, triterpenoids, alkenes, phenolic acids, choline, shikimic acid.Asthma weed has antiviral and - bacterial properties.
Medicinal Uses: Anodyne; Antiasthmatic; Antipruritic; Carminative; Depurative; Diuretic; Febrifuge; Galactogogue; Purgative; VD; Vermifuge; Warts.
Asthma weed has traditionally been used in Asia to treat bronchitic asthma and laryngeal spasm, though in modern herbalism it is more used in the treatment of intestinal amoebic dysentery. It should not be used without expert guidance, however, since large doses cause gastro-intestinal irritation, nausea and vomiting. The plant is anodyne, antipruritic, carminative, depurative, diuretic, febrifuge, galactogogue, purgative and vermifuge.The aerial parts of the plant are harvested when in flower during the summer and can be dried for later use. The stem, taken internally, is famed as a treatment for asthma, bronchitis and various other lung complaints. The herb relaxes the bronchioles but apparently depresses the heart and general respiration. It is usually used in combination with other anti-asthma herbs such as Grindelia camporum and Lobelia inflata. It is also used to treat intestinal amoebic dysentery. The whole plant is decocted and used in the treatment of athlete's foot, dysentery, enteritis and skin conditions. It has been used in the treatment of syphilis. The sap is applied to warts in order to destroy them. The treatment needs to be repeated 2 - 3 times a day over a period of several weeks to be fully effective.
Asthma weed has traditionally been used in Asia to treat bronchitic asthma and laryngeal spasm, though in modern herbalism it is more used in the treatment of intestinal amoebic dysentery. It should not be used without expert guidance, however, since large doses cause gastro-intestinal irritation, nausea and vomiting. The plant is anodyne, antipruritic, carminative, depurative, diuretic, febrifuge, galactogogue, purgative and vermifuge.The aerial parts of the plant are harvested when in flower during the summer and can be dried for later use. The stem, taken internally, is famed as a treatment for asthma, bronchitis and various other lung complaints. The herb relaxes the bronchioles but apparently depresses the heart and general respiration. It is usually used in combination with other anti-asthma herbs such as Grindelia camporum and Lobelia inflata. It is also used to treat intestinal amoebic dysentery. The whole plant is decocted and used in the treatment of athlete's foot, dysentery, enteritis and skin conditions. It has been used in the treatment of syphilis. The sap is applied to warts in order to destroy them. The treatment needs to be repeated 2 - 3 times a day over a period of several weeks to be fully effective.
1 comment:
hi i m also lecturer at gujarat in pharmacognosy..now i have cmpltd my m.pharm at LMCP. now wana do ph.d. so i want some advice..my email id is luharhardik@yahoo.co.in
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