Pill-Bearing Spurge

Euphorbia hirta syn. E. pilulifera

Asthma Plant Pill-Bearing Spurge Parts used Uses Habitat and cultivation Constituents How much to take Collection and harvesting Combinations

Pill-bearing spurge - erect annual or perennial plant growing to 20 in (50 cm), with pointed oval leaves and clusters of small flowers.

PARTS USED

Aerial parts.

USES

A specific treatment for bronchial asthma, pill-bearing spurge relaxes the bronchial tubes and eases breathing. Mildly sedative and expectorant, pill-bearing spurge is also taken for bronchitis and other respiratory tract conditions. Pill-bearing spurge is most often used along with other antiasthmatic herbs, notably grindelia, and lobelia. In the Anglo-American tradition, pill-bearing spurge is taken to treat intestinal amebiasis.

HABITAT AND CULTIVATION

Native to India and Australia, pill-bearing spurge is now widespread throughout the tropics. The aerial parts of the plant are gathered when it is in flower.

CONSTITUENTS

Pill-bearing spurge contains flavonoids, terpenoids, alkanes, phenolic acids, shikimic acid, and choline. The latter two constituents may be partly responsible for the antispasmodic action of this plant.

HOW MUCH TO TAKE

Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto 1/2-1 teaspoonful of the dried leaves and let infuse for 10-15 minutes. This should be drunk three times a day.
Tincture: take 1 - 2ml of the tincture three times a day.

COLLECTION AND HARVESTING

Gather the aerial parts while pill-bearing spurge is in flower.

COMBINATIONS

For the treatment of asthmatic conditions pill-bearing spurge will combine well with grindelia and lobelia.