Chamaesyce hirta, Asthma Weed, Hairy Spurge, Pill-Bearing Spurge, cat’s hair

Last updated: February 8, 2026Reviewed date: February 8, 2026Reading time: 12 min read

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Article Summary

Key Takeaways

This article explains Facts of Euphorbia in simple medical language.
This article explains Euphorbia Scientific Classification in simple medical language.
This article explains Health benefits of Euphorbia in simple medical language.
This article explains Traditional uses in simple medical language.

Educational health guideWritten for patient understanding and clinical awareness.

Reviewed content workflowUse writer and reviewer profiles for stronger trust.

Emergency safety firstUrgent warning signs are highlighted below.

Seek urgent medical care if you notice

These warning signs are general safety guidance. Local emergency numbers and clinical judgment should always come first.

Severe symptoms, breathing difficulty, fainting, confusion, or rapidly worsening illness.
New weakness, severe pain, high fever, or symptoms after a serious injury.
Any symptom that feels urgent, unusual, or unsafe for the patient.

Emergency now

Use emergency care for severe, sudden, rapidly worsening, or life-threatening symptoms.

See a doctor

Book a professional medical evaluation if symptoms persist, worsen, recur often, affect daily activities, or occur in a high-risk patient.

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Chamaesyce hirta is a strange and herbaceous plant that is considered to be inherent in India and has become pantropical species. This herb is hairy and measures 2′ long which bears flowers and oblong leaves that appear on side of the stem. The plant bears yellow fruits that resemble capsules along with reddish seeds. Being an annual plant, it blooms and produces fruits during the year. Every part of the plant possesses a milky latex. It has the chemical composition of sterols, tannins, alkenes, glycosides, triterpenoids, alkaloids, quercetin, choline, and shikimic acid. It do not prefer winters. The flowers are monoecious which refers that both sexes of flowers cannot be present in the same plant. Pollination occurs by insects. It does well in well-drained soils and requires dry or moist soil.

Facts of Euphorbia

Name	Euphorbia
Scientific Name	Chamaesyce hirta
Native	It is widely found in the topcial regions of the world. It is introduced by the Americas to other tropical regions. It is inherent to Southern USA, Central America, Mexico, tropical South America and Caribbean.
Common/English Name	Asthma Weed, Hairy Spurge, Pill-Bearing Spurge, asthma plant, cat’s hair, asthma plant, garden spurge, flowery headed spurge, old blood, Jean Roberts, pillpod sandmat, pill bearing spurge, pillpod spurge, red euphorbia, Queensland asthma weed, red milkweed, sneeze weed, snakeweed, spurge
Name in Other Languages	English: pill-bearing spurge, asthma plant, hairy spurge, garden; spurge, pillpod sandman; Gujarati: dudeli; Bengali: boro-keruie, barokhervi; Hawaiian: Koko kahiki; Luganda: kasandanda; Hindi: baridhudi, dudh ghas, dudhi; Tagalog: tawa-tawa, gatas-gatas; Sanskrit: chara, amampatchairasi, barokheruie; Twi: Kaka wie adwie; Tamil: amampatchaiarisi; Kinaray-a: tawa-tawa; Urdu: lal dodhak; Telugu: reddivari nanabalu, reddinananbrolu; Nepali: dudhe ; Seychelles Creole: Zan Rober Portuguese: erva-de-Santa-Luzia; French: euphorbe poilue; Bangladesh: bara dudhia; Colombia: pimpinela; Cambodia: tuk das khla thom; Guatemala: sabana de la virgin; Ecuador: mal casada; Indonesia: gelang susu, kukon-kakon, gendong ancok, patikan jawa, nanangkaan, patikan kebo; India: baridhudi, dhuli, chitakuti, dudhani; Malaysia: ara tanah; Japan: Taiwan-nishikiso, shima-nishikiso; Mauritius: Jean Roberts; Nigeria: buje; Myanmar: mayo; Samoa: la’au fai moti, apulupulu; Philippines: botobotonis, luha ng birhen, gatas-gatas, maragatas, soro-soro, pansi-pansi, tawa-tawa; Suriname: mirki-tite; South Africa: rooi euphorbia; Thailand: nam nom raaychasee; Taiwan: ru-tzu-tsau; Tonga: sakisi; USA/Hawaii: koko kahiki; Uganda: aksasandasanda; Vietnam: co sua long;
Plant Growth Habit	Evergreen, prostrate or ascending annual
Soil	Well-drained
Plant Size	30-60(-70) cm tall
Root	3-5 mm, fibrous
Branches	50 cm
Leaves	Opposite, triangular, stipules membranous, caduceus, 0.8-1.7 mm
Flower	Unisexual, whitish and tinged with purple
Plant parts used	Herb
Seed	Subglobose to tetragonal, reddish, 0.7-0.9 × 0.4-0.5 mm, sides transversely furrowed

Euphorbia Scientific Classification

Scientific Name: Chamaesyce hirta

Rank	Scientific Name & (Common Name)
Kingdom	Plantae (Plantes, Planta, Vegetal, plants)
Subkingdom	Viridiplantae
Infrakingdom	Streptophyta (Land plants)
Superdivision	Embryophyta
Division	Tracheophyta (Vascular plants, tracheophytes)
Class	Magnoliopsida
Order	Malpighiales
Family	Euphorbiaceae (Spurge, euphorbes)
Genus	Euphorbiaceae (Spurge, euphorbes)
Species	Euphorbia hirta L. (Pillpod sandmat, pillpod spurge, asthma spurge)
Synonyms	Chamaesyce gemella (Lag.) Small Chamaesyce hirta Chamaesyce hirta (L.) Millsp. Chamaesyce hirta f. glaberrima (Koidz.) Hurus. Chamaesyce hirta f. litoralis Hurus.Euphorbia pilulifera L. Chamaesyce hirta var. glaberrima (Koidz.) H. Hara Chamaesyce hirta var. laeticincta Croizat Chamaesyce karwinskyi (Boiss.) Millsp. Chamaesyce pekinensis var. glaberrima (Koidz.) Makino & Nemoto Chamaesyce pilulifera var. glaberrima (Koidz.) H. Hara Chamaesyce rosei Millsp. Desmonema hirta Desmonema hirta (L.) Raf. Ditritea hirta Ditritra hirta (L.) Raf. E. hirta L. Euphorbia bancana Euphorbia bancana Miq. Euphorbia capitata Lam. Euphorbia capitata Lam. Euphorbia chrysochaeta W. Fitzg. Euphorbia gemella Lag. Euphorbia globulifera Kunth Euphorbia hirta var. destituta L.C. Wheeler Euphorbia hirta var. glaberrima Koidz. Euphorbia hirta var. nocens L.C. Wheeler Euphorbia hirta var. typica L.C. Wheeler Euphorbia karwinskyi Boiss. Euphorbia nodiflora Steud. Euphorbia obliterata Jacq. Euphorbia pilulifera auct. non L. Euphorbia pilulifera f. humifusa Domin Euphorbia pilulifera f. rubromaculata Domin Euphorbia pilulifera f. viridis Domin Euphorbia pilulifera var. arechavaletae Herter Euphorbia pilulifera var. arechavaletae Herter Euphorbia pilulifera var. discolor Engelm. Euphorbia pilulifera var. discolor Engelm. Euphorbia pilulifera var. glabrescens Thell. Euphorbia pilulifera var. glabrescens Thell. Euphorbia pilulifera var. guaranitica Chodat & Hassl. Euphorbia pilulifera var. guaranitica Chodat & Hassl. Euphorbia pilulifera var. hirta (L.) Thell. Euphorbia pilulifera var. hirta (L.) Thell. Euphorbia pilulifera var. obliterata (Jacq.) Hitchc. Euphorbia pilulifera var. obliterata (Jacq.) Hitchc. Euphorbia verticillata Vell. Euphorbia verticillata Vell.

Due to the presence of an exclusive chemical structure, it is used for medicinal uses. Traditionally, it has been used for thousands of years for the treatment of health ailments. This plant is widely spread and introduced which is prevailing in sub-tropical and tropical environments of Australia. It is commonly found in waste areas, disturbed sites, gardens, roadsides, bare areas, open grasslands, lawns, footpaths, pastures and crops. It occurs as natural vegetation in Northern Australia and is considered as an environmental weed in Northern Territory, Western Australia and Northern Queensland.

History

It is widely found in topical regions of the world. It is introduced by the Americas to other tropical regions. It is inherent to Southern USA, Central America, Mexico, tropical South America, and the Caribbean. Probably, this species was introduced to this country; it is sometimes regarded to be native to eastern or northern Australia.

It is naturalized widely in the tropical regions that also includes eastern and southeastern Asia such as Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, China, Japan, Taiwan, New Zealand, Mauritius and in the Pacific islands such as American Samoa, Niue, Palau, Nauru, the Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, Hawaii, Kiribati, French Polynesia, Guam, Fiji and Galápagos Islands.

Plant

This annual herb measures about 30-60 cm high with few branched. It has a fibrous root of about 3-5 mm. Stems are ascending to erect which is 3 mm thick and is branched from the middle or above with yellow to brown multicellular hairs. Male flowers have 4-5 red anthers. Female flowers have three angular ovaries, short pedicles, slightly two-lobed stigma, sparsely pilose, and exserted from involucre. The fruits are three angular capsules that are smooth, shortly pilose and 1-1.5 × 1-1.5 mm with a peduncle of about 1.5 mm. It has tetragonal to subglobose seeds that are reddish with transversely furrowed sides and measures 0.7-0.9 × 0.4-0.5 mm in size. The caruncle is absent.

Leaves

The leaves are triangular, opposite, the caduceus of about 0.8-1.7 mm having petiole of 1-3.5 mm. Leaf-blades are long elliptic, lanceolate to oblong or ovate to lanceolate measuring 10-50 × 3-16 mm, green to red adaxial with purple blotch along midrib.

Health benefits of Euphorbia

Euphorbia belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family is widely distributed in hotter parts of India and could be found in waste places along roadsides. This plant is used in traditional medicines for the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory diseases, pulmonary disorders, wound healing, tumors, urinogenital disorders, lactation in women etc. It possesses antioxidant, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।" data-rx-term="anti-inflammatory" data-rx-definition="Anti-inflammatory means reducing inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।">anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-tumor, anti-allergic, free radical scavenging, anti-anaphylactic, analgesic, sedative, anxiolytic, anti-diarrhoeal, anti-arthritic, anti-thrombocytopenic, spasmogenic, diuretic, immune-stimulatory, anthelmintic, antiviral, antimicrobial, antimalarial, larvicidal, andimolluscidal properties. Each part is used for treating various health ailments. The milky sap is used to heal cracked lips whereas the leaves are useful in treating skin ailments. Flowers are useful for eye problems. Other benefits are discussed below:

Boost immune system

Euphorbia has a great impact on the immune system in various ways but it is quite popular for treating eye infections. The flowers are used to make a decoction that helps to soothe eye infections as well as lowers the signs of conjunctivitis. It is still used in these present days.

Lowers infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation

This herb helps to neutralize toxins and lowers infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation caused due to snake bite.

Eliminate intestinal worms

Euphorbia acts as an anthelmintic that assist in eliminating intestinal worms and parasites by preventing the problems that these foreign bodies causes.

Respiratory problems

Euphorbia is an aid for respiratory problems due to its infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।" data-rx-term="anti-inflammatory" data-rx-definition="Anti-inflammatory means reducing inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।">anti-inflammatory properties that makes it effective for asthma, bronchial irritation, chronic coughing, sore throats and bronchitis.

Maintains sexual health

Euphorbia possesses antibacterial and antiviral properties that make it effective for the treatment of urinary tract infections and veneral diseases.

Promotes fertility

Euphorbia acts as a sexual stimulant in males that assists in enhancing libido and fertility. It is a perfect solution for those people who want to enhance their sex drive and start a family. It also prevents the chances of premature ejaculation.

Intestinal health

Euphorbia supports gastrointestinal health with the elimination of intestinal worms and parasites along with the symptoms of dysentery and diarrhea. It soothes gut walls and restores bowel movements and prevents discomfort and pain.

Healthy skin

Apply the salves made with Euphorbia to the skin on wounds, boils, burns, rashes and marks. It enhances the healing process by stimulating the regrowth of new cells and flow of blood. It has antioxidant properties that promote skin health. It lowers the appearance of wrinkles, sun damage and eliminates signs of aging.

Traditional uses

Euphorbia is used for treating respiratory problems such as catarrh, bronchitis, asthma and laryngeal spasm.
It is also useful for intestinal amoebiasis.
As it possesses infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।" data-rx-term="anti-inflammatory" data-rx-definition="Anti-inflammatory means reducing inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।">anti-inflammatory properties, it is applied to snakebites and insect bites.
The infusion made from the plant acts as a febrifuge, cholagogue, and as an aid for colds, intestinal afflictions, flatulence.
Add ghee to a poultice to treat rheumatism and filarial.
In French Guiana, an infusion made from leaves are used as cholagogue and used to cure diarrhea.
Leaves either bruised or chopped is useful for abscesses and adenitis.
The stem is used for bronchitis, asthma and other lung problems.
It is useful for intestinal amoebic dysentery as well.
The decoction made from plant is used to treat enteritis, dysentery, athlete’s foot and skin problems.
It is also used for treating syphilis.
Warts could be eliminated by applying sap.
It relaxes bronchioles and has depressant activity on respiration and heart.
It is used to eliminate worms in children.
This herb is also used for genital complaints and gonorrhea.
Boil 1 bottle of water by adding 15-30 g of fresh and washed herb for about 15 minutes. Then filter it and drink the portions for treating amoeba dysentery.
An anti-amoeba tea could be made by mixing a handful of each guava leaves, mango leaves and asthma weed. It is effective for cholerea, bacillary dysentery and amoeba dysentery. It should be mixed with one liter of water and boil it and leave it for 30 minutes. After filtering, drink it throughout the day.
For treating intestinal cramps, kidney infection and urinary tract infection, intake the infusion.
For intestinal worms, boil one liter of water with asthma weed without roots and pawpaw leaves for about 15 minutes. Drink it.
The decoction made with root of Euphorbia helps to enhance lactation in nursing women.
It is useful for menstrual problems, kidney stones and venereal diseases.
Flowers acts as an aid for eye infections as well as inflammations such as pinkeye and conjunctivitis.
In Philippines, it is used as a treatment for dengue.
Use the crushed leaves to wound that helps to stop bleeding and speeds up the healing process of wounds, pimples and boils.
The root decoction is used for constipation and enema.
Gargle with the decoction for the treatment of mouth ulcers and thrush.

Precautions

Avoid prolonged ingestion.
Avoid its use by lactation and pregnant women.
It may cause allergic reaction and skin irritation.
Sap is harmful for ingestion as it is highly irritant and causes photosensitive skin reactions as well as severe infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation.
Allergic reactions, vomiting and nausea are its adverse effects.
Consult the doctor before adding it to the health plan.

References

Safety note: This is not a prescription or diagnosis. For severe symptoms, pregnancy danger signs, children with serious illness, chest pain, breathing difficulty, stroke-like weakness, or major injury, seek urgent care.

Which doctor may help?

General physician, pulmonologist, pediatrician for children, or emergency care for breathing difficulty.

What to tell the doctor

Write cough duration, fever, wheeze, chest pain, smoking, asthma/COPD history, TB contact, oxygen readings if known.

Questions to ask

Is this asthma/COPD, pneumonia, TB, allergy, heart problem, or another cause?
Do I need oxygen check, chest X-ray, or sputum test?

Tests to discuss

Oxygen saturation and chest examination
Chest X-ray if persistent/severe symptoms or warning signs
CBC, sputum, TB/COVID testing depending on symptoms and local risk

Avoid these mistakes

Do not delay care for breathing difficulty, blue lips, chest pain, coughing blood, or severe wheeze.

Medicine safety and first-aid guide

This section is for patient education only. It does not replace a doctor, pharmacist, or emergency care.

Safe first steps

Avoid heavy lifting, sudden bending, and prolonged bed rest.
Use comfortable posture and gentle movement as tolerated.
Discuss physiotherapy, X-ray, or MRI only when clinically needed.

OTC medicine safety

For mild back pain, pain-relief medicine may be discussed with a doctor or pharmacist.
Avoid repeated painkiller use if you have kidney disease, stomach ulcer, uncontrolled blood pressure, or are taking blood thinners.

Avoid these mistakes

Do not start antibiotics without a proper medical decision.
Do not use steroid tablets or injections casually for quick relief.
Do not delay emergency care because of home remedies.

Get urgent help if

Back pain with leg weakness, numbness around private area, loss of urine/stool control, fever, cancer history, or major injury needs urgent care.

Medicine names, dose, and timing must be decided by a qualified clinician or pharmacist after checking age, pregnancy, allergy, other diseases, and current medicines.

For rural patients and family caregivers

Patient health record and symptom diary

Write your symptoms, medicines already taken, test results, and questions before visiting a doctor. This note stays on your device unless you print or copy it.

Doctor to discuss: Medicine doctor / pediatrician for children / qualified clinician

Tests to discuss with doctor

Temperature chart and hydration assessment
CBC with platelet count if fever persists or dengue/other infection is possible
Urine test, malaria/dengue tests, chest evaluation, or blood culture only when clinically indicated

Questions to ask

What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
Which warning signs mean I should go to emergency care?
Which tests are really needed now?
Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?
Do I need antibiotics, or is this more likely viral?

Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

Go to emergency care if you notice:

Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration

Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.

Step 1
Check danger signs first
If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.
Step 2
Record the symptom story
Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.
Step 3
Visit a qualified clinician
A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.
Step 4
Do only useful tests
Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.
Step 5
Follow up and return early if worse
If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips

Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.

RX Patient Help

Ask a health question safely

Write your symptom story. A health professional or site editor can review it before any answer is prepared. This box is not for emergency care.

Emergency first: Severe chest pain, breathing trouble, unconsciousness, stroke signs, severe injury, heavy bleeding, or rapidly worsening symptoms need urgent local medical care now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this article a replacement for a doctor?

No. It is educational content only. Patients should consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment.

When should I seek urgent care?

Seek urgent care for severe symptoms, rapidly worsening condition, breathing difficulty, severe pain, neurological changes, or any emergency warning sign.