Euphorbia tirucalli L.

Family: Euphorbiaceae

Synonym:Tirucalia tirucalli (L.) P.V.Heath, Euphorbia media N.E.Br.

Bengali/Vernacular name: Dudh bush, Trikantak, Lankasij, Jatasij, Latadaona, Jalasij.

English name: Milk bush, Milk hedge, Indian tree spurge.

Description of the plant: A large shrub or small tree, up to 10 m high. Stem green, cylindrical, unarmed, densely branched, spreading, scattered, whorled, or clustered. Leaves absent or few, small, linear-oblong, deciduous. Flowers very small.

Plant parts used: Stem, root.

Herbal uses: Poultices of stems is used for healing of fractured bones.

Latex of the stem is used for wound healing.

A decoction made with the roots of the plant acts as an emetic in cases of snake bite, and is also used for sterility in women.

Milky juice of the stem also applied to itches and insect bites, also used for ear ache, whooping cough, and asthma.

The pulped twigs are applied externally to treat oedema of the legs.

Ash from the burned branches and stems is applied externally to treat abscesses.

Poultice of roots is used for ulcerations of the nose and for haemorrhoids treatment.

A root-decoction, combined with other drug-plants, is taken in the treatment of schistosomiasis and gonorrhoea.

Latex applied to various warts, swollen glands, and tumours of the nose.

Decoction of the stems is used for colic and stomach pain.

Decoction of stem applied to skin to treat leprosy and paralysis.

Distribution: It is found in Dhaka, Shatkhira, Sylhet, and Chittagong districts.

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