Snake weed locally known as tawa-tawa, gatasgatas or mangagaw (Visayan) has been popular in recent times because it was reported to help patients with dengue. This herb or weed is not only found in the Philippines but throughout Asia. It originated from Central America. This plant is a creeping and is considered a weed. However, ethomedical data in Indian and Asian traditional medicine indicate that the plant is used mostly for intestinal disorders such as diarrhea and antihelminthic and to a lesser extent topical for conjunctivitis and even for respiratory disorders such as asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. This plant is slightly poisonous.
For dengue, the decoction of the leaves is used and is given orally; 1 glass, about 2-3x daily until the patient improves. The most notable component of this plant is its high concentration of a bioactive substance, quercetrin, a bioflavonoid. Apparently, the phytochemical increases intestinal reabsorption and reduces prostaglandin I2, E2 and D2. It was also reported that it reduces platelet aggregation and inflammation. It also contains polyphenols, triterpenes and phytosterols.
In addition recent reports have indicated that E. hirta produces sedative or anxiolytic effects at very high doses.
February 5th, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Generally I do not post on blogs, but I would like to say that this post really forced me to do so, Excellent post
February 13th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
Hi Dr. Emil,
Can Tawa Tawa be used to cure low platelet count? Thank you.
From Doc Emil: It has not been reported to cure low platelet count. Apparently, what it does is to prevent platelets to aggregate by reducing infllamation. Any low platelet count must be diagnosed for what the cause(s) is/are and that’s what we should cure.
March 27th, 2010 at 7:00 pm
Dr. Emil, how can i disolve my kidney stone which is 9mmx14mm. is the sambong tablet can help? thank you.
From Dr. Aligui: Sambong 500mg 3x a day for 3 months; Have you tried Renalin which is a combination of sambong, balbas pusa, banaba and turmeric? Clinical cases reported by a urologist have good results in 6 weeks.
June 15th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
what is the safe dose of tawa-tawa decoction?
From Dr. Aligui: Tawa-tawa has not been studied for safety. There are anecdotal information that people have used it but we are not really sure about its side effects. I cannot say it is safe.
July 24th, 2010 at 3:11 pm
hi doc…what is the substance in tawa tawa plant that can cure genital warts??
..thanks doc..,godblesss
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From Doc Emil: Walang pagaaral na nagagawa tungkol sa genital warts gamit ang tawa tawa.
August 22nd, 2010 at 4:00 pm
can tawa-tawa prevent birth defects? i’m gonna use it for my thesis. hoping for your reply.
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From Doc Emil: Tawa tawa is known to be toxic, so on the contrary, it might cause birth defects when taken in by pregnant mothers.