Euphorbia hirta

Euphorbia hirta [Image]. [1990-2014]. Retrieved from: http://simpleayurvedichealthtips.blogspot.com.au/2011/07/euphorbia-hirta-asthma-weed.html 

Common name: 
Euphorbia, Pill bearing spurge
(Hoffman, 1983, p.217)

Latin binomial:
Euphorbia hirta 
(Hoffman, 1983, p.217)

Family: 
Euphorbiaceae
(Hoffman, 1983, p.217)

Parts used:
Aerial parts(Hoffman, 1983, p.217)

Active constituents:

• Flavonoids (including quercetin)
• Beta-sterol 
• Triterpenoids    
• Glycosides
• Tannin   
• Alkaloids (0.1%) 

(Hoffman, 1983, p.217)

Actions: 
Antiasthmatic, Expectorant, antispasmodic (Hoffman, 1983, p.217)
Antiprotozoal, spasmolytic (Bone, 2003, p.199)

Indications:

• Respiratory system (Bone, 2003, 199)
• Asthma (Hoffman, 1983, p. 217)
• Acute / Chronic Bronchitis (Hoffman, 1983, p. 217)
• Upper and lower respiratory catarrh (Hoffman, 1983, p. 217)
• Laryngeal spasm, laryngitis (Bone, 2003, p. 199)  
• Whooping cough (Hoffman, 1983, p. 217)
• Hayfever GIT (Bone, 2003, p. 199)  
• Dysentery, intestinal parasites, worms (Hoffman, 1983, p. 217)

Contraindications: 
None known
(Bone, 2003, p. 199) 

Cautions:
May cause nausea and vomiting 
 (Bone, 2003, p. 199) 
 

Dosage:
0.7 - 2.0 ml of 1:2 liquid extract- Dose per day* (Bone, 2003, p. 199)  
5-12 ml of 1:2 liquid extract- Dose per week* (Bone, 2003, p. 199)  

Combinations: 
For the treatment of asthmatic conditions it will combine well with Lobelia and grindelia   
(Hoffman, 1983, p. 217)

References:

Bone, K. (2003) A clinical guide to blending liquid herbs; herbal formulations for the individual patient. Churchill, Livingstone: Missouri.

Hoffman, D. (1983) The holistic herbal. Element books: Dorset.