இயற்கை மருத்துவம்

*ASTHMA PLANT (Amman pacharisi)* 

*Introduction:*

         It is also known as Amman pacharisi. This plant commonly called asthma plant is an amazing herb with wonderful medicinal uses and health benefits that we should know about. It is a very popular home remedy for asthma and that is why it is also called Asthma plant. Amman pacharisi powder is widely used in Tamil Nadu for skin care especially for treating warts, pimples and wounds. All parts of the plant is used for medicinal purposes. The white milky sap that is found in the plant also has medicinal uses.

*Amman Pacharisi Traditional Uses:*

        The best medicinal use of amman pacharisi is it’s use in treating warts. In fact it is one of the best natural treatments for treating warts. Just applying a drop of the milky substance on the wart everyday will soften the wart and then with regular application, it falls off on it’s own. Usually the milky substance does not burn or cause any allergies at all but if it does, please stop using it immediately.

        This treatment has been used for many years in South India for treating warts. When doing this treatment, apply the milk daily till it falls off. It might take a week or two depending on the size of the wart. The smaller the wart, the quicker it will fall off when you are doing this treatment.

        Amman pachararisi is also cooked like regular greens and consumed for treating constipation. Traditionally the flowers of Amman pacharisi plants are cooked along with milk and consumed for increasing breast milk. Amman pacharisi is also popularly used for treating asthma and it’s also used for treating stomach and mouth ulcers along with allergies.

*Amman Pacharisi Medicinal Uses:*

*1. Anti Bacterial Properties:*

        The reason Amman pacharisi is so effective for skin care is due to it’s wonderful anti bacterial properties. The ethanol extract of Amman pacharisi has been proven to be effective against some of the common bacterial strains like Escherichia Coli, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Staphylococcus Aureus, etc

*2. Increases Breast Milk:*

        Amman pacharisi has been used for a long time for improving breast milk. The leaves and the flowers are cooked along with dal and given to breast feeding mothers. This traditional use has been backed by research. Both the powder and the fresh herb can be used for increasing breast milk production.

*3. Anti Asthma Properties:*

        Another traditional remedy using amman pacharisi is drinking water decoction also called as Euphorbia Hirta tea for treating asthma. Now this use has been proven through research. Amman pacharisi has a relaxation effect on the bronchial tubes. Flavonoids, glycosides and saponins found in amman pacharisi are responsible for it’s anti asthmatic properties.

*4. Anti Cancer Properties:*

        Amman pacharisi extract has been proven to be cytotoxic to many type of cancer cells. It just amazes me how common herbs that we neglect and consider as weeds can be potential life savers. Amman pacharisi is particularly effective against malignant melanomas and squamous cell carcinomas.

*5. Analgesic, Anti inflammatory and Anti Pyretic Properties:*

        Amman pacharisi extract has been proven to reduce pain and inflammation. The tea can be taken if we suffer from any kind of inflammation and pain. Amman pacharisi also helps fights off infection and reduces fever. When applied as a poultice, it can reduce the inflammation and pain in that area instantly.

*6. Anti Diarrheal Properties:*

        Amman pacharisi extract has been traditionally given to treat diarrhea as it has anti bacterial, anti amoebic and anti spasmodic properties. For treating diarrhea, the water extract of the whole plant is generally used, the leaf powder also can be taken. The flavonoid quercitrin found in amman pacharisi is responsible for its anti diarrheal properties.

*7. Treats Warts:*

        Amman pacharisi is used for treating warts for a long time. We apply the milky sap on the wart for a few days and it falls off very very quickly. This due to their wonderful anti viral properties and you can read the study that proves it here. The tannins present in amman pacharisi is responsible for it’s anti viral properties.

*8. Anti Diabetic Properties:*

        Amman pacharisi is wonderful for diabetic patients as it reduces blood sugar levels and the effect is equal to standard prescription drugs used for treating diabetes. Diabetic patients should monitor their blood sugar levels closely while taking both amman pacharisi and diabetic medications together as it can reduce blood sugar levels drastically.

*9. Protects Against Snake Venom:*

        Another amazing medicinal use of amman pacharisi is it’s protective properties against snake bite. In many village sides, amman pacharisi plant is given as a first aid for treating snake bite, this traditional use has been backed by research. Quercetin-3-O-rhamnoside found in amman pachrisi is responsible for it’s anti venom properties.

*10. Wound Healing Activity:*

        Amman pacharisi heals wound very fast. It also helps reduce the pain and inflammation very very quickly, traditionally the leaf paste poultice is applied over the wounds. Amman pacharisi not only heals regular wounds, it also heals burn wounds very very quickly.