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| tawa tawa |
Euphorbia hirta, known in the
Philippines as "Tawa-tawa" or “gatas-gatas,” is a hairy herb grown
in open grasslands, roadsides and pathways. This indigenous plant is claimed to
have a curative effects on dengue patients as being backed up by personal testimonies,
it became one of the most popular “folkloric medicine” for dengue in the
Philippines. However, despite its widespread use, there is no evidence to
support this claim.
The Philippine Council for Health
Research and Development (PCHRD), the health research arm of the Department of
Science and Technology (DOST) spearheads studies to assess the curative
component of Tawa-tawa for dengue. Aside from Tawa-tawa the PCHRD-DOST also
look into other indigenous plants that has components possible for dengue cure
this includes kamote (Ipomea batatas), bawang (Allium sativum), papaya (Carica
Papaya), tanglad (Cymbopogon citrates), luyang dilaw (Curcuma longa), ampalaya
(Momordica charantia) and oregano (Coleus aromaticus Benth).
As evidence of its continuing
support and commitment to advance herbal medicine research in the country,
PCHRD-DOST recognizes researchers with excellent research on herbal medicine
through the PCHRD – Gruppo Medica Award. One of which were the study on
tawa-tawa conducted by the University of Sto. Tomas.
Mixed messages have been
presented by representatives of the Philippine government. The Department of
Health (DOH) says tawa-tawa is not enough for critical dengue patients, and
urges oral rehydration therapy[citation needed]. Others, like former Health
Secretary Jaime Galvez Tan, is actively promoting the herbal medication.[4]
There is a large difference between cases of dengue without hemorrhagic fever and
those with, along with the 4 serotypes, recommended treatment may vary
depending on the specific presentation of dengue.
The plant also found in Sri Lanka
and Indian Subcontinent. In Sri Lanka, tawa-tawa is known as "Kepum
keeriya".
My son got dengue fever or even in simple fever, I always see to it
that he takes a tawa tawa concoction in
his glass. And then fever is gone such amazing plant.
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