Sanskrit Name
लघुदुग्धिका (Laghudugdhikaa)
Botanical Name
Euphorbia thymifolia L.
Family Name
Euphorbiaceae
Identification No.: SDACH/HG/152
Vernacular Names
- Hindi: छोटी दूधली
- English: Dwarf Asthma Plant, Thyme-leaved Euphorbia
- Marathi: लघुदूधणि
- Telugu: चिन्ना दूधिका
- Tamil: (Chitra Ammanakku)
Classical Classification
- Bhavaprakasha: guduchyadi varga
Habitat & Distribution
Widely distributed as a weed throughout India in dry lands, road margins, and open fields; especially common in tropical and subtropical regions.
Morphology
Plant: Small, prostrate, spreading herb
- Leaves: Small, opposite, elliptic to oblong, purplish tinge
- Stem: Reddish, hairy
- Flowers: Minute, in axillary cymes
- Latex: White, milky, acrid
Varieties
No classified Ayurvedic varieties, but sometimes confused with Euphorbia hirta
Substitute/Adulterant
Often interchanged with Euphorbia hirta due to similar uses; used as a substitute in traditional practices
Phytochemicals
- Flavonoids (Quercetin, Luteolin)
- Tannins
- Saponins
- Alkaloids
- Gallic acid
- β-Sitosterol
- Terpenoids
Raspanchaka
- Rasa: Katu, Tikta, Madhur
- Guna: Laghu, Ruksha, Tikshan
- Virya: Ushna
- Vipaka: Katu
- Prabhava: Krimighna
- Doshashamaka: Kapha-Vatahara
Karma (Rogaghnata)
Jantughan
Vishaghan
Kushtghan
mutral
Amayika Prayoga / Therapeutic Uses
External Use
- Latex for warts and corns
- Paste in skin conditions and itching
Internal Use
- Juice in worm infestations and dysentery
- Powder in diarrhea, piles, and respiratory issues
- Decoction for bleeding disorders
Part Used
Whole plant, Latex
Dose
Kalka: 10-20 gm
Yoga / Formulations
- Dugdhika Churna
- Used in traditional formulations for Atisara (diarrhea) and Arsha (piles)
IUCN Status : Not Evaluated
Research Updates
- Anti- anaphylactic and antiasthmatic activity of Euphorbia thymifolia l. On experimental animals
- Antihyperglycemic and antinociceptive activities of methanolic extract of Euphorbia thymifolia
- Analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity of Euphorbia thymifolia Linn phytosterol fraction
