Dugdhika is a hairy weed that grows in open grasslands, roadsides and pathways across Bharat. It is widely used in ayurveda in various diseases particularly for asthma, piles, and skin ailments. Its bio-active compounds are – quercetrin, cymol, carvacrol, 2-sesquiterpenes, salicylic acid, etc. Its whole plant is used for medicinal purposes.

• 1. Asthma: Widely known as Asthma plant, Dugdhika has been widely used for the management of bronchial asthma. It has been reported to possess bronchodilator activity, by relaxing the smooth muscle in the bronchi and bronchioles. In addition, it possesses anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory activities. All these activities make Dugdhika an effective drug in the management of bronchial asthma, bronchitis, and COPD.

• 2. Allergy: Dugdhika has been seen to prevent the release of histamine and other chemical substances responsible for the allergic process, from the mast cells and basophils. On this basis, it is used as an anti-allergic drug in the management of various allergic disorders, including allergic bronchitis and allergic bronchial asthma.

• 3. Inflammatory diseases: Dugdhika has been reported to lower inflammation by inhibiting the release of inflammatory mediators, like – cytokines, leukotrienes, prostaglandins, etc. On this basis, it could be used in the management of inflammatory diseases, like – bronchial asthma, bronchitis, arthritis, dermatitis, sinusitis, etc.

• 4. Viral infection: Dugdhika has been reported to inhibit the replication of viruses (Vishanu-hara). It is used in the management of various viral fevers (Vishama-jvara) – seasonal fevers, flu, chikungunya, dengue, swine flu, and other viral infections – Hepatitis A/B/C, Herpes zoster and simplex, TORCH infections.

• 5. Osteoarthritis: Dugdhika has been reported to reduce cartilage degeneration in Osteoarthritis. On this basis, it could be used in the management of various degenerative joint diseases, like – osteoarthritis, cervical spondylitis, lumbar spondylitis, disc degeneration, etc.

• 6. Piles (Hemorrhoids): Dugdhika has been reported to possess anti-hemorrhoidal activity. Though the exact mode of action remains yet to be known, it may act by softening the stool and reducing the size of the pile mass.

• Dugdhika (Euphorbia prostata)

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