Habitat.--Common in all parts of the islands and well known to the
natives. The name by which it is best known in Manila is "golondrina."
_Euphorbia neriifolia_, L. (_E. ligularia_, Roxb.; _E. pentagona_,
Blanco.)
Nom. Vulg.--_Sorosoro_, _Sorog-sorog_, _Bait_, Tag., Pam.;
_Karambauaya_, Iloc.; _Lengua de perro_, Sp.-Fil.
Uses.--The principal medicinal use of this plant in the Philippines
is the introduction of the hot juice of its fleshy leaves into the
external auditory canal in cases of otorrhoea or of simple earache,
whatever its cause.
The root is regarded in India as an antidote for snake bite and,
indeed, the plant is sacred to Munsa, the snake divinity. During the
months of July and August in some parts of India the natives make
offerings of rice, milk and sugar to this sacred tree every Tuesday
and Thursday, praying for protection from the bites of serpents.
The leaves contain an abundance of milky juice, acrid and very
active, used in the treatment of several skin diseases. Like the
species _E. pilulifera_ it possesses antiasthmatic properties;
Dr. S. C. Amcobury reports 6 cases treated with satisfactory
results. Owing to the acrid quality of the juice great care should be
maintained both in its internal and external use. The Sanscrit authors
regard it as purgative and usually administer it with other drugs of
the same action to increase its effect. Ainslie states that the native
herb-doctors of India give the juice in intestinal obstruction and in
the oedema of malarial cachexia. The dose is 1.25 grams in 24 hours
given in 300 cc. of sweetened water in divided doses. This dose is,
in my opinion, dangerous; 40-60 centigrams a day is more prudent.
Botanical Description.--A small tree, from 5 to 6° high. Trunk erect,
jointed, 5-sided, at the angles 2 rows of thorns. Leaves spatulate,
fleshy. Flowers yellowish. Calyx bell-shaped, 5-lobed. Corolla,
numerous imbricated, spatulate petals with ravelled or fringed
ends. Stamens in groups. Styles 3. Stigma coarse. Seed vessel,
3 carpels on a stalk.
Habitat.--In all parts of Luzon.
_Euphorbia Tirucalli_, L.
Nom. Vulg.--_Consuelda_, Sp.-Fil.; _Katwit_, _Suelda_, Tag.
Uses.--The milky juice of this species is very caustic. It is used
chiefly in India mixed with oil as an embrocation for rheumatism;
given internally it is regarded as an antisyphilitic. Dr. J. Shortt
states that it is an excellent alterant in syphilis in dose of 30
centigrams, morning and evening. It is further employed in malarial
hypertrophy of the spleen, in asthma and as a purgative; in a word
the same virtues are attributed to it as to the foregoing species.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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