TAWA-TAWA
Euphorbia hirta

WHAT IS TAWA-TAWA?

Tawa-tawa (scientific name: Euphorbia hirta) also known as 'asthma plant" or “gatas-gatas,” is a hairy herb grown in open grasslands, roadsides and pathways. This indigenous plant is considered as one of the most popular folkloric treatments for dengue in the Philippines.

According to a study released in 2018, we have been using the plant to treat fever since 1948.
This plant has a hairy, solid stem that can grow up to 24 inches long. It produces milky-white latex. Its leaves are also hairy, with an elliptical shape. You can identify them through their flowers that lack petals and look more like clusters on a stalk.

Tawa-tawa is often used traditionally for female disorders, respiratory ailments (cough, coryza, bronchitis, and asthma), worm infestations in children, dysentery, jaundice, pimples, gonorrhea, digestive problems, and tumors. It is reported to contain alkanes, triterpenes, phytosterols, polyphenols, and flavonoids.
Tawa-tawa is proven beneficial in aiding respiratory diseases and symptoms such as fevers, chills, body pains, and cough.
Tawa-tawa is successful because both anti-viral, the destroying of the dengue virus, and anti-thrombocytopenic, the reduction of platelet loss, properties of the plant work together in preventing the disease from progressing. The DOST is now conducting clinical trials on the efficacy of tawa-tawa in preventing the onset of severe symptoms of COVID-19. An inference on why tawa-tawa is being used as a potential remedy for COVID-19 is because both flaviviruses and coronaviruses are an enveloped kind of virus, and are nearly structurally the same.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It is POSSIBLY UNSAFE to take euphorbia by mouth if you are pregnant. There is some evidence that it might cause the uterus to contract, and this could cause a miscarriage.
Stomach or intestinal problems: Euphorbia can irritate the stomach and intestines. Don’t use it if you have a stomach or intestinal disorder.