When we heard of tawa-tawa, we
often associate this plant to the deadly dengue carried by mosquitoes. However,
studies showed that it really helps treating the said disease but not directly
fighting the virus. Instead, it helps in promoting cell production and reduce
platelet destruction.
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Tawa-tawa (Euphorbia hirta), others called this as “gatas-gatas”,
is a hairy herb or weed that can be easily found in grasslands and pathways.
It has a slender stem with several branches that can grow up to 2 feet long.
(Source: Hottest Issue Today) |
One of the best seller Healing
Galing products is the Tawa-Tawa Tonic sold 150 pesos for 100ml (You can check
other products HERE).
They recommend this not only for dengue patients but for all having problems in
their blood like anaemia and leukaemia. Tawa-tawa tonic is made by extracting
the active components thru the process of distillation.
Don’t worry if you cannot avail
the said tonic. You can prepare your own thru the process of decoction. For
every 1 glass siksik of tawa-tawa
plant (roots, stem and leaves) just add 3 glasses of water and bring to boil until
it becomes like a tea. Drink this as replacement for water. But take note that tawa-tawa
decoction can only be used within 24 hours after preparation unlike the
distilled tonic that can last up to a year. After that, you must discard the
remaining tonic since the active components were already turned into toxins that
might give unpleasant results.
According to Dr. Edinell of
Healing Galing, one way to determine that you are having blood problems is it
will have a bitter taste but eventually turned tasteless like water after the
problems has been fixed. This is true, I tried it.
Aside from improving the blood
condition, here are some benefits of Tawa-tawa plant:
Antibacterial and antimicrobial
– used to treat amoeba, dysentery, syphilis and some fungal infections.
Antiasthmatic – helps in breaking
mucus and relaxes spasms. Some suggest to inhale the smoke of this in the form
of cigarette.
Antidiuretic – This help in
absorption of water and re-absorption of electrolytes thus keeping you hydrated
all longer.
Anthelmintic – can be used as
dewormer
Antihypertensive – It has a
property that helps inhibition of angiotensin converting enzyme.
Sedative – Helps in treating
anxiety
Anti-allergy – helps preventing
the early and late stage of allergy due to the shikimic acid content.
Milk stimulant – can be used to
stimulate production of breast milk.
Furthermore, studies showed that
it contains several phytochemicals like sterols, alkaloids, tannins, quercetin,
glycosides, triterpenoids, alkenes, phenolic acids, choline and shikimic acid.
Based on studies and some
testimonials from users, tawa-tawa is really a good herbal medicine. However,
just like any other herbal plants, it should be taken with necessary
precaution. Overdose can lead to gastrointestinal reaction, nausea and
vomiting.
