Plants and Food
(If you wish to act on any of the information on this website, you must consult with a healthcare professional. Do not try to be your own doctor)
If all mankind were to disappear, the world would regenerate back to the rich state of equilibrium that existed ten thousand years ago. If insects were to vanish, the environment would collapse into chaos. - - Edward O. Wilson
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Chamaesyce hirta
PLANT NAME: Chamaesyce hirta (L.) Millsp.
COMMON NAMES: Koko kahiki [Hawai'i]; pill bearing spurge [USA]; lal dudhi, paala, ariki thala [India]; amampatchaiarisi [Tamil]; boro-keruie [Bengali]; chara [Sanskrit].
FAMILY: Euphorbiaceae.
TOXICITY: Reports of toxicity have been conflicting. Until more definitive research has been done: I do not recommend using this plant.
Some sources list it as toxic [Huxley 1992] and possibly carcinogenic [Matthews 1994]. One animal study [Lanhers 1990] reported no toxic effects when the water extract was given either i.p. or orally.
Photosensitivity, and severe inflammation have been reported from topical use. I have used it on myself topically many times with no untoward results, but everyone's skin and system are different.
CAUTIONS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS: DO NOT USE THIS PLANT. See Toxicity. Do not use during pregnancy. Can irritate the digestive system and cause vomiting. Sap can cause dermatitis and may be carcinogenic in large doses.
USE AS FOOD: Young shoots cooked as famine food.
RANGE: Pantropical. Native to Australia and India.
HABITAT: It likes sun and thrives on abusive pathways and roadsides.
NOTES 'N QUOTES
Introduced into Europe in 1884.
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Much of this information is through the grace oand kindness of my
Hawaiian and Chinese teachers and my gratitude goes out to
them. Any errors are mine alone.
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