Tawa Tawa

For Natural Health and Wellness

Scientific Name: Euphorbia hirta
Common Names: Bambanilag, Bobi, Botonis, Bugayau, GatasGatas

Background
Tawa Tawa is a slender-stemmed, multi-branched, hairy plant that grows up to 40 centimetres high all throughout the Philippines. It is abundant in waste places, open grasslands, mountains, and backyards- almost anywhere in every province in the archipelago. Tawa Tawa also grows in Brazil, Australia, Africa, and India. Previously considered a secret of folk medicine, Tawa Tawa has recently gained national media sensation for its numerous medical and health benefits, as claimed by national and international research studies and personal testimonies of its faithful users.

How to Prepare Tawa Tawa

To derive the medical and health benefits of Tawa Tawa, the following are done to prepare it for either commercial or personal use: 1. Thoroughly wash 5 Tawa Tawa plants and boil in clean tap water without the roots. When it comes to a boil in 10 to 15 minutes, strain the decoction into a clean jar and let it cool. 2. Drink 1 to 3 cups of the Tawa Tawa decoction daily.

Medicinal and Health Benefits of Tawa Tawa

Hematologic Health: The Philippine Department Of Science and Technology is currently conducting research on the anti-viral, anti-inflammatory properties of the Tawa-Tawa plant, which are hypothesized to stimulate platelet production by the

bone marrow in dengue patients. This discovery could potentially lead to the eventual development of treatments for dengue fever and tuberculosis. Bone Health: Tawa-Tawa has anti-arthritic properties as an effect of its tissue inhibitor constituents called metalloproteinase that prevents cartilage degeneration. Cardiovascular Health: To counteract high blood pressure, Tawa-Tawa inhibits the activity of angiotensin converting enzyme that is supposed to produce vasoconstrictive effects on the blood vessels. Result is a lowering of blood pressure, decrease in heart rate and increase in cardiac output. Skin Health: The latex (milky substance) found within the stem of the Tawa-Tawa plant is a good treatment for sores, boils, warts, and fungal infections. When dried and crushed, Tawa-Tawa can be used as a wound dressing. The ethanol present in Tawa-Tawa extracts has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties effective against these skin infections. Digestive Health: With an active flavonoid constituent, E. hirta is known to have anti-diarrheal properties. It is also known as a potent anti-helminthic or deworming agent. Respiratory Health: This herb is good for asthmatics. When combined with beta 2 blockers like salbutamol and terbutaline sulfate, Tawa-Tawa dissolves sticky mucus and relaxes the bronchial muscles resulting in the relief of asthmatic symptoms. Take 3 to 4 cups of boiled Tawa Tawa leaves daily, or burn and inhale smoke of Tawa-Tawa leaves like a cigarette. Immunity: Constituents of Tawa-Tawa like tannins, hexane, flavenoids, triterpene, andsterols among others, make it effective in boosting the bodys immune system and protecting it against infections, malignancies and oxidative damage.

RECOMMENDATIONS The extremely limited evidence supporting the use of Euphorbia hirta (tawa-tawa) in the management of dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever, and the conflicting results on efficacy and safety obtained from animal studies, warrants further investigation. The

potential beneficial effects of E. hirta in the management of dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever could not be discredited. However, the available evidence is not yet sufficient to establish its place in therapy. Clinical utility should only be recommended until well-designed clinical trials establishing the efficacy and safety of E. hirta in this patient population have been conducted, and results reviewed by proper authorities.