Sun Spurge / Euphorbia maculata / Euphorbia Supina

Sun Spurge, Euphorbia Maculata (Supina), is known as spotted spurge or prostrate spurge.
Euphorbia, a part of the Euphorbiaceae family, also known as Spurge is a flowering plant. It is mostly found on open lands, roadsides and dirt roads. It is said to be a native of India and grows in South Asia, Australia, Africa and Central America. Some of the common names of euphorbia are Poinsettia, Asthma weed, milkweed (due to its ability to generate more milk in women after pregnancy) and radium weed.

Euphorbias are easy to grow and need less maintenance effort. They are tough, generally the font of sunshine but can manage to grow under shades too. They can survive in drought conditions but can flourish beyond the limit in organic, mineral-rich soil. There are almost 4000 varieties under the Euphorbiaceae family, with each of them own countless medical benefits.

Health benefits of Euphorbia

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AGENT
It is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent. According to this research conducted on rats, euphorbia extract has significant anti-inflammatory activity if used on a consistent basis. This is due to the presence of components such as flavonoids, saponins, sterols 24-methylene-cycloartenol, and triterpene β-amyrin. You can check more about it here. It could be used for arthritis treatment, body swelling and provides great relief for people suffering from Rheumatic Arthritis and Fibromyalgia. It can also offer relief and healing to skin conditions such as Eczema which is an inflammatory condition of the skin.

CONTROLS ASTHMA
Euphorbia has another popular name called asthma weed. This is due to its excellent ability to fight against asthma, bronchitis, chest congestion, flu and cold. Ayurvedic practitioners suggest it as an effective treatment method for bronchitis patients. Dried leaves of the plant are smoked and rolled and kept under the head at night. It can also be taken internally in liquid form. Any issues related to the respiratory tract can be efficiently treated by asthma weed.

STRENGTHEN YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM
Euphorbia boosts the immune system against viral infections, fungal infections and provides general wellness. A liquid pulp is made using the flowers of the plant. It is proven to effectively treat eye-infections, strengthen your Central Nervous System (CNS) and fight inflammation. It is also said to provide resistance against snake venom and scorpion bites.

SEXUAL HEALTH
Even today, it is considered as one of the important natural resources to treat impotence, premature ejaculation and infertility in men and women. A sustained consumption has proven to improve the sexual health of men and women alike. It is also used as a sexual stimulant. For women, it can be used for the production of milk and to treat gonorrhea.

SOLVES GASTROINTESTINAL ISSUES
Four different species in the Euphorbiaceae family is proven to be helping with gastrointestinal and digestive issues in human beings. The whole plant except the root is washed and boiled in water for 15 minutes to prepare a tea. It can be taken in portions during the day. Diarrhea, vomiting, irritable bowel movement and constipation can be controlled by using this plant weed. It can be taken internally in the form of pulp or liquid. It is also an effective cure for intestinal worms.

SKIN TREATMENT
Euphorbia for skin problem is a proven treatment method backed by science. According to this study, the plant Euphorbia peplus is proven to fight human non-melanoma skin cancers. Cancer is abnormal growth of cells at a fast pace. The sap is toxic to these cells and eventually kills them. A substance called ingenol mebutate in the plant is known to kill cancer cells in the skin. Another study reveals that 71% of the cancer cells were destroyed using peplus as an active ingredient. More research on Euphoria for skin problems can lead to path-breaking discoveries in the field of cancer research. It can also reduce the effect of sunburns, wrinkles, and acts as a great anti-age agent.

FIGHTS AGAINST DENGUE VIRUS
Euphorbia helps to fight against the deadly dengue virus. During dengue infection, the number of platelets in the blood reduces drastically. The plant has a unique ability to reload the balance of platelets in the body. As per this study, the water decoction of the plant leaves will stop internal hemorrhage and cure dengue fever within 24 hours.

MOUTH ULCERS
The root of the Euphorbia plant can be used to make a serum. A person suffering from mouth ulcers can gargle several times a day using the serum. It is proven to relieve mouth ulcers and associated pain. It lightens the swollen skin around the sores, tenderness and related burning sensation.

HEALS BURN WOUNDS
Tissue damage in the burnt area can reduce the amount of protein in the affected area exposing the flesh. If not treated, this will be used as a window by bacteria and fungus viruses to attack the body and cause various infections. Euphorbia is an effective remedy for burns; both severe and light burns. The ethanol content in the plant is highly useful to reduce the effects of burn wounds. The antimicrobial characteristic of the plant helps in fighting against microbes that cause infection on burns and open wounds. This study hence proved the benefits of euphorbia to treat burns.

INSECT REPELLENT
The larvicidal and pupicidal properties of euphorbia is proven to repel insects and malaria-causing mosquitos. Studies have proven and recommended that the plant can be used as a safe and efficient way to control the spread of malaria. It eliminates that chances of harmful side-effects caused by the use of chemical and are non-fatal to humans, animals as well as the environment.

비단풀 / 땅빈대 (大戟科)

비단풀은 대극과에 딸린 한해살이풀입니다.
비단풀은 대극과의 한해살이 풀입니다. "땅바닥을 비단처럼 곱게 덮는다"하여 붙여진 이름 비단풀 ( 이명: 땅빈대, 점박이풀, 내금초 등 )은 쇠비름과 비슷하게 생긴 풀입니다. 비단풀은 쇠비름보다 작고 잎사귀와 줄기는 두툼한 쇠비름에 비해 얇은 편이며 잎사귀에는 반점이 있는 것이 특징입니다.
언뜻 보면 쇠비름을 닮았으나 쇠비름보다 훨씬 작습니다.
풀밭이나 마당, 길 옆에 흔히 자라지만 작아서 별로 눈에 띄지 않습니다.
줄기는 땅바닥을 기면서 자라고 줄기나 잎에 상처를 내면 흰 즙이 나옵니다. 이 진액에는 항암 작용이 뛰어난 사포닌 성분이 풍부해 "길에 깔린 인삼"이라 불립니다.

비단풀의 쓴맛을 내는 사포닌 성분 그리고 다양한 항산화 성분 (플라보노이드)이 풍부합니다. 이런 성분들은 우리 몸속의 염증 반응을 조절하거나 줄여주는 역할을 하게 됩니다. 그리고 잎에는 진정, 진통 작용이 있는 알칼로이드 성분과 활성 성분 (몰식자산, 메틸에스테르, 마쿨라톨, 시토스테롤 등) 그리고 떫은 맛을 내는 폴라보노이드 성분인 탄닌도 풍부하게 들어있습니다.

비단풀은 항암작용과 해독작용, 항균작용, 진정작용 등이 뛰어나서 갖가지 암, 염증, 천식, 당뇨병, 심장병, 신장질환, 악성 두통, 정신 불안증 등에 두루 널리 쓸 수 있습니다. 열을 내리고 독을 풀며 혈액순환을 잘 되게 하고 피가 나는 것을 멈추며 젖을 잘 나오게 하고 소변을 잘 나오게 하는 작용이 있습니다. 세균성 설사, 장염, 기침으로 목에서 피가 넘어 올때, 혈변, 자궁출혈, 외상으로 인한 출혈, 습열로 인한 종기, 종창, 타박상으로 붓고 아픈 것 등을 치료합니다.
종기와 악창, 위가 거북하고 배에 가스가 차는 것, 두통, 비염, 치질에도 효과가 좋습니다. 마음을 편안하게 하고 통증을 멎게 하는 작용이 있으며 독성은 전혀 없습니다.

비단풀 효능
1. 잇몸 & 염증 제거
비단풀은 잇몸을 튼튼하게 해주고 잇몸 염증을 치료해준다고 합니다.
비단풀 우려낸 물을 이용해서 3일정도 양치질을 하게 되면 잇몸 염증이 깨끗하게 낫게 된다고 합니다.
2. 자궁출혈 개선
비단풀은 자궁출혈을 막는데 효과가 뛰어납니다.
자궁출혈이 있는 경우 비단풀을 달여 참기름, 소금, 생강 등으로 간을 맞춘 다음 드시게 되면 출혈이 멎게 됩니다.
3. 혈뇨, 혈변 치료
혈뇨나 혈변이 있는 경우 비단풀을 드시게 되면 치료할 수 있습니다.
4. 중국의 본초강목에 따르면 비단풀은 종양과 염증을 완화하고 지혈작용이 탁월하며 각종 부인병에 좋다고 기록되어 있습니다.
5. 항균작용, 세균성 설사& 장염 개선
비단풀의 즙이나 진액은 황색 포도상구균, 디프테리아균, 대장균, 이질균 등을 죽이거나 억제하는 작용을 합니다.
6. 두통개선
비단풀은 진정, 진통 작용이 있어서 두통에 효험이 있습니다. 그리고 혈액순환이 잘 안되어 생기는 두통에도 도움을 줍니다.
7. 상처 지혈과 염증 치료
몸에 상처가 나면 비단풀을 찢어서 상처에 발라 어느 정도 놔두면 흉터 없이 말끔해 진다고 합니다. 이처럼 비단풀은 민간요법으로 상처나 염증 치료에 이용했습니다.
8. 항암작용
비단풀에서 추출한 성분이 항산화, 항염은 물론 암세포 성장을 억제하는 항암작용까지 한다고 합니다.