Snuhi

Description

Botanical classification Kingdom: Plantae Order: Malpighiales Family: Euphorbiaceae Subfamily: Euphorbioideae Tribe: Euphorbieae Subtribe: Euphorbiinae Griseb. Genus: Euphorbia N. Varieties Acc. to Charaka: Alpa kantaka, Bahu kantaka Morphology Morphology of Euphorbia neriifolia: It is a small tree or big shrub growing to a height of 10-20 feet in dry regions of India. The genus has over or about 2,000 members. The trunk and the branches are modified into round or irregular shape. The leaves are shrunk into spikes, fleshy in nature. Flowers when viewed as a whole, looks like a single flower. It has a unique kind of pseudanthium, called a cyathium, where each flower in the head is reduced to its barest essential part needed for sexual reproduction. These flowers have no sepals, petals, or other parts that are typical of flowers in other kinds of plants. The fruits are 0.5 inch long. Flowers and fruits are seen in the spring season. Dosage- Root powder- 0.5 to 1 g, Stem juice- 5 to 10 ml, Milky latex- 125-250 mg Chemical composition of Euphorbia neriifolia: The triterpenoids, euphol, 24-methylene cycloartenol, euphorbol hexacosonate, glut-5 (10)-en-5-one, glut-1- en-3 beta-yet-acetate, taraxerol, friedelan-3 alpha-ol and–3 beta-ol have been reported from the plant. Properties: tīkṣṇaḥ – sharp, sarva udara vināśanaḥ – cures all types of ascites, Gulma praśamano – cures abdominal lump, Vahni dīpanaḥ – enhances digestion strength, Śopha nāśanaḥ – subsides swelling, viṣūcikā hara – cures gastroenteritis, ajīrṇa nāśanaḥ – cures indigestion, śūlasūdanaḥ – subsides pain, yakṛd doṣa praśamanaḥ – pacifies all problems related to liver, śvāsa ataṅka prabhañjanaḥ – cures asthma Indications: Indicated in – Shoola – abdominal colic pain, Ama – A product of indigestion and altered metabolism, Kaphaja gulma – tumor of Kapha origin, Udara – ascites, enlargement of the abdomen, Unmada – Schizophrenia, Meha – diabetes, urinary tract disorders, Kushta – skin diseases, Arsha – hemorrhoids, Shotha – Swelling, inflammation Meda – obesity, high cholesterol.Ashmari – Kidney and bladder stones, Pandu – anemia Vrana – Ulcers, wounds, Adhmana – bloating, gaseous distension of abdomen, Jwara – fever, Pleeha – Disease of the spleen, Splenomegaly, Visha – Toxic conditions, poisoning Dooshivisha – chronic poisoning, Dushta Vrana – infected wound Snuhi variety, called Shatala, with synonyms Saptala, Sara, Vimala, Vidula yields profuse latex with frothing. It is Katu – pungent, Tikta – bitter Indicated in: Shotha – Swelling, inflammation, Kapha Anaha – bloating, fullness; Udavarta – bloating; Raktapitta –Bleeding disorders such as nasal bleeding, heavy periods, etc; Side effects: Excess use of Snuhi can cause severe purgation and if the milk of the plant falls to the eye, it can cause blindness. Hence Snuhi should be used always under medical supervision. Toxic effect: Latex of Snuhi is found to be a powerful contact poison but weaker as a stomach poison. Produce excruciating pain and severe inflammation if it gets into a cut on skin or into eyeball, may result in ulceration of the eyeball. Cause severe burning sensation if contact with skin. Internal administration in excess quantities causes vomiting and diarrhea. Blood mixed stool may be seen. Antidote: Milk, ghee Snuhi Kshara: Synonyms – Snuk Kshara, Vajra Kshara ad Sehunda Kshara. Ayurvedic medicines containing Snuhi: Agnivrana Taila: It is an Ayurvedic medicated oil used for the treatment of burns, boils, prevention of blisters etc. Ayaskirti: It is an Ayurvedic medicine used for the treatment of anemia, weight loss therapy, skin diseases, irritable bowel syndrome etc. Vishatinduka taila: It is an Ayurvedic medicine used for the treatment of Gout, numbness, skin diseases with discoloration. The oil is applied externally. Abhaya lavana: It is an Ayurvedic medicine, used in the treatment of liver and spleen disorders. It is in powder form. Madhusnuhi rasayana: It is a formulation used in the treatment of skin diseases like eczema, psoriasis, diabetic carbuncles, fistula, piles, tumors, goiter, itching, rheumatoid arthritis and non- healing wounds. Ardraka ghrita: It is a medicine in ghee form and is useful to treat indigestion, chronic diarrhea, gastritis etc. Arsha kutara rasa: It is an Ayurvedic medicine in tablet form. It is used in the treatment of hemorrhoids. Research update : Research articles related to Euphorbia neriifolia: 1. Anti- microbial study: The phytochemical analysis of leaf extracts (chloroform, ethanol, ethyl acetate, butanol and aqueous) of a medicinal plant, Euphorbia neiirifolia and their antibacterial activities against bacterial isolates, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsilla pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgarius, Pseudomonas fluroscens were investigated. the presence of flavonoids, phlobatannins, saponin, tannins, cardenoloids, phenol, terpenoids. The maximum activity was observed in chloroform extract against P. vulgarius with zone of inhibition (8 mm), followed by ethanol extract against K. pneumonia (5 mm). This research supports the local use of the leaf of the plant, E. neiirifolia for wound healing properties and other forms of bacterial infections. 2. Protective action on induced thrombosis: The present work was designed to study antithrombotic potential of E. neriifolia Linn. Carrageenan-induced rat tail thrombosis model was used to study the anti-thrombotic effect by measuring thrombosis of tail and bleeding time as well as clotting time. In the present work, Phyto-constituents like flavonoids and polyphenols could be responsible for demonstrating protective effects on experimentally induced thrombosis in murine models. 3. Wound healing activity: The wound healing effect of aqueous extract of the latex of Euphorbia neriifolia was evaluated in guinea pig. Surgically produced cutaneous wounds were treated with topical application of 0.5% and 1 .O% sterile aqueous solution of the extract. The extract facilitated the healing process as evidenced by increase in tensile strength, DNA content, epithelization and angiogenesis. 4. Antioxidant action: The antioxidant activity of EN extract was evaluated by various antioxidant assays such as TAC, FRAP, FTC, TBA and non specific activity. All these antioxidant activities were compared with standard antioxidants. Phytochemical screening and the total phenolics, flavonols and proanthocyanidin content was also determined. A positive correlation between the antioxidant activities and physicochemical assays were observed and the highest scavenging activity of extract was noticed at concentration of 1mg/ml.

Useful Parts

Root, leaf, milky latex

Benefits

1. Anti-Inflammatory: The plant's bioactive compounds, such as triterpenoids and flavonoids, are known to reduce inflammation and swelling, making it useful for conditions like arthritis. 2. Respiratory Health: It is used to manage respiratory ailments such as asthma and bronchitis, helping to relieve coughs and improve breathing. 3. Wound Healing: The latex of E. neriifolia can be applied to wounds to promote healing and provide pain relief by forming a protective barrier. 4. Digestive Aid: Due to its bitter taste, it acts as a natural laxative to relieve constipation and promote regular bowel movements. 5. Anti-Cancer Potential: Preliminary research suggests that compounds within E. neriifolia may possess anti-cancer properties, with flavonoids and terpenoids showing activity in inhibiting cancer cells. 6. Liver Health: The plant has shown hepatoprotective (liver-protecting) effects in studies, potentially helping to protect the liver from damage. 7. Immune System Support: Some compounds in E. neriifolia have immunomodulatory properties, which can help regulate and support the immune system

Pharmacological Action

Purgative, Hepatoprotective, Anti inflammatory and Insecticidal

Rasapancakam

Rasa: Katu

Guna: Laghu, Tikshna

Virya: Usna

Vipaka: Katu

Dosha Karma: Kaphavata shamaka