Euphorbia Hirta Tawa-tawa Herbal Tea

The oldest remedies known to mankind are herbal medicines. India is known worldwide for its
Ayurvedic treatment. Euphorbia hirta is often used traditionally for female disorders, respiratory
ailments (cough, coryza, bronchitis, and asthma), worm infestations in children, dysentery,
jaundice, pimples, gonorrhea, digestive problems, and tumors. It is reported to contain alkanes,
triterpenes, phytosterols, tannins, polyphenols, and flavanoids. This review describes the
medicinal properties, chemical constituents, and other important aspects of Euphorbia hirta.
Keywords: Antioxidant, antimalarial, antibacterial, euphorbia hirta
n India use of the different parts of several medicinal plants to cure specific ailments has been in
vogue from ancient times. The indigenous system of medicine, namely, Ayurvedic, Siddha, and
Unani, has been in existence for several centuries. Some drugs from Ayurveda approaches
modern diseases, have already reached the market place. [1] In modern medicines, plants
occupy a very important place as the raw material for some important drugs. Synthetic drugs
are effective in controlling different diseases but these synthetic drugs are out of reach of
millions of people. It is estimated that around 70,000 plant species have been used for
medicinal purposes. The herbs provide the starting material for the synthesis of conventional
drugs. Medicinal plants have curative actions due to the presence of complex chemical
constituents. India recognizes more than 2500 plant species having medicinal value, Sri Lanka
around 1400, and Nepal around 700. [2] This review intends to provide an overview of the
chemical constituents and pharmacological actions of Euphorbia hirta.
Its common names are - Cats hair, asthma weed, basri dudhi, chara, malnommee, pill - bearing
spurge, patikan kerbau, patikan kebo, fei yang cao, gelang susu, amampat chaiarisi, erva de
santa luzia.
It is a very common annual herb. In India new plants start appearing in the wild soon after the
first shower of monsoon and start developing very fast.No sooner than the plant grows a length
of few centimeters, flowering starts in the plant.
Pollination is principally brought about by insects or especially by ants. Seeds get dispersed
through simple mechanical process. Though a number of seeds get destroyed and eaten up by
birds and insects, it does not cause any impact on the general population density of the plant
due to abundance of its seeds.
Scientists and researchers have isolated a number of chemical compounds out of this
plant.Some of the important phytochemicals that have been isolated from the extract of
Euphorbia hirta are - sterols, alkaloids, tannins, glycosides, triterpenoids, alkenes, phenolic
acids, choline, and shikimic acid. The plant extract has been reported to possess anti viral and
anti bacterial properties.
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.
A number of companies prepare different types of medicines from the plant Euphorbia hirta
across the globe. Many chemists prescribe extract of Euphorbia hirta for the treatment of
asthma and for the treatments of other ailments. Euphorbia leaf- tea is very common for asthma

patients but it is recommended that direct use of this plant may not be safe every time.
Key Words: Euphorbia hirta, asthma weed, habitat,chemical compounds, chemists, plant
extract, duddhi, annual herb, treatment, ailment
In The Philippines
Know as Tawa-tawa, A flurry of queries and web blogs, gatas-gatas has found new interest for
gatas-gatas (tawa-tawa) for its use in dengue, with increasing (Platelet's) anecdotal reports of
"cures."
Posted by Marcelo Galang at 7:50 PM 0 comments
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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2010

Euphorbia Hirta ( tawa-tawa )

Dengue hemorrhagic fever is a much feared disease caused by a virus carried via mosquito
bites. Dengue causes hemorrhaging of the internal organs to a point that it causes death.
Western medicine, the common hospital does not have a cure for Dengue. They merely say that
their treatment is supportive and all you need to do is pray that the dengue victim is strong
enough.
Euphorbia Hirta (TAWA-TAWA)is a solution for Dengue Fever.
25 teabag per box, Php 125.00 only
Order Now... Free delivery within Metro Manila
Contact # 09392111302/09215503630
Email add. guenlea@yahoo.com
Note...
cellphone user, just text only
Posted by Marcelo Galang at 6:23 PM 0 comments
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2010

Euphorbia Hirta ( tawa-tawa )

Euphorbia Hirta ( tawa-tawa ). Tawa-tawa has found new interest for (tawa-tawa) for its use in
dengue, with increasing 'platelets' anecdotal reports of "cures."
Studies
Anti-Diabetic / Lipid Effect: Study of ethanolic extracts of leaf, flower and stem on
streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice showed significant reduction in blood glucose levels.
Biochem effects showed significant decreases in serum cholesterol with elevation of HDL.
Results showed EH has antidiabetic action and suggests further study for isolation of
responsible compound.
Antibacterial: (1) Antibacterial Activities And Toxicological Potentials Of Crude Ethanolic
Extracts Of Euphorbia hirta: The study showed the ethanolic extract to inhibit the growth of test
isolates except Salmonella typhi. The antibacterial effect was attributed to the presence of
alkaloids, tannins and flavonoids which have been shown to have antibacterial properties. The
results support its use in traditional medicine. (2) Study on the antibacterial effect of compounds
extracted from C sinensis and the methanol extract of E hirta against dysentery causing Shigella
spp showed the extracts to be non-cytotoxic and effective antibacterial agents.
Diuretic: Euphorbia hirta leaf extracts increase urine output and electrolytes in rats: Studty

suggests that the active components in the water extract of E. hirta leaf had similar diuretic
effect as that of acetazolamide. The results validate its traditional use as a diuretic by the
Swahilis and Sukumas.
Anti-Allergic: Inhibition of early and late phase allergic reactions by Euphorbia hirta L: Study
demonstrated that E. hirta possessed significant activity to prevent early and late phase allergic
reactions.
Anthelmintic: Anthelmintic efficacy of the aqueous crude extract of Euphorbia hirta Linn in
Nigerian dogs: Extract of E. hirta Study reduced the fecal egg count of the helminths and
suggests a potential as an anthelmintic agent.
Antihypertensive / ACE Inhibition: Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibiting and antidipsogenic activities of Euphorbia hirta extracts: Study showed the extract from leaves and
stems inhibited the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE).
Anxiolytic: Euphorbia hirta showed an activity profile different from that of benzodiazepines.
Study showed a central depressant and sedating effect with no hypnotic or neuroleptic effects.
Antidiarrheal: Study investigated the antidiarrhoeic activity of Euphorbia hirta extract. An active
flavonoid constituent, quercitin, was isolated; it show anti-diarrheic activity
Antibacterial / Antifungal: The ethanol extract was analyzed for antimicrobila activitity against S
aureus, B cereus, S typhi, K pneumonia, P aeruginosa and fungus species A niger, A fumigatus,
A flavus and R oryzae. Study of leaves isolated tannins, flavonoids, alklaloids, glycosides,
proteins, sterols and saponins. Antimicrobial activity was attributed to one of these constituents.
Leaves collected from August to December showed more significant antimicrobial activity.
Galactogenic: E hirta study in female guinea pigs increased the development of mammary
glands and induced secretion.
Antifertility: E hirta has been shown to decrease sperm motility, density of cauda epididymal
and testis sperm suspension with 100% infertility.
Anti-Malarial / Flavonol Glycosides: Study of aerial parts isolated flavonol glycosides afzelin,
quercitin and myricitrin. The three compounds showed inhibition of proliferation of Plasmodium
falcifarum.
Anti-Inflammatory: n-hexane extract of aerial parts and its main triterpene constituents showed
significant and dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity.
Anticancer / Antiproliferative: (1) Studies of extracts of E hirta have shown selective cytotoxicity
against several cancer line. (2) Extracts screened showed anti-proliferativce activities against
normal mouse fibroblast cells.
Antioxidant: Studies of methanol and water extracts showed antioxidant activities comparable
to that of green and black teas.
(http://euphorbiahirta.blogspot.com/)