Botanical Name: Euphorbia milii Des Moul.
Family Name: Euphorbiaceae
Identification No.: SDACH/HG/306
Vernacular Names:
– Hindi: Snuhi Bheda, Kantalo
– English: Crown of Thorns, Christ Plant
– Bengali: Snuhi, Manasa
– Tamil: (Suraachi)
– Telugu: (Paapachethi)
– Kannada: (Snuhi)
– Malayalam: (Chulli chedi)
– Gujarati (Thor)
Synonyms
“स्नुहीभेदः कण्टकारी दुर्लभा तीक्ष्णकण्टका।
विषपुष्पी च शूलिन्यः सा च स्याद्विषदुर्लभा॥”
Classification in Classical Texts:
– Charak:
Shothahara (Anti-inflammatory)
– Vedanasthapana (Analgesic)
– Sushruta:
– Kshara Karma (Caustic therapy)
– Bhavaprakash: Classified under Upavisha Varga
Habitat & Distribution:
– Native to Madagascar
– Widely cultivated in India as ornamental plant
– Thrives in dry, rocky soils
Morphology:
– Type: Succulent shrub (up to 1.5m tall)
– Stem: Fleshy, cylindrical with sharp thorns
– Leaves: Obovate, green (3-5cm long)
– Flowers: Small cyathia with bright red bracts
– Latex: Milky white (toxic)
Varieties:
1. Red-flowered(common variety)
2. Yellow-flowered (rare variety)
Phytochemicals:
– Diterpenes (phorbol esters)
– Triterpenoids
– Flavonoids
– Latex contains euphorbol
Rasapanchaka:
– Rasa: Katu (Pungent), Tikta (Bitter)
– Guna: Laghu (Light), Tikshna (Sharp)
– Virya: Ushna (Heating)
– Vipaka: Katu (Pungent)
– Prabhava: Shothahara (Anti-inflammatory)
– Dosha Karma: Kapha-Vata shamak, Pitta vardhak
Therapeutic Uses (Amayika Prayoga):
External:
– Latex (highly diluted) for warts and skin lesions
– Poultice for joint pain (with caution)
Internal:
– Not recommended without proper detoxification (shodhana)
Parts Used: Latex (main), stems
Dose:
– External use only in most cases
– If processed: 30-60mg purified latex
Formulations (Yoga):
– Snuhi Kshara
– Visha Taila (external application)
IUCN Status: Least concern
Research Updates
1. 2020: Cytotoxic compounds studied for cancer research
2. 2021: Antimicrobial activity against skin pathogens
3. 2023: Latex proteins investigated for bioadhesive properties
