Snuhi: Benefits, Uses & Dosage

Milk Hedge is one of the few plants in Ayurveda that the classical texts praise and warn about in the same breath. Its latex is ranked as the finest purgative milk, and it is also listed among the poisonous plants. That tension is the key to understanding it: this is a practitioner's herb, not a home remedy.

Milk Hedge (Snuhi), botanically Euphorbia neriifolia Linn., is a large succulent shrub with thick, fleshy branches full of milky latex. It grows widely across India, often planted as a hedge, which is where its English name comes from. In Hindi it is called Sehund or Thuhar, and the Sahasra Yoga lists its Sanskrit synonyms as Snuk and Mahavriksha.

The latex (Kshira, literally "milk") is the main medicinal part. The Bhavaprakasha describes it as very sharp and penetrating (Tikshna), a powerful purgative and a "piercing" or breaking drug (Bhedana). It is caustic, can cause severe skin irritation, and is classified among the sub-poisons (Upavisha) in the Sharangadhara Samhita. Classically it is used only under strict control by a qualified practitioner.

Every use below comes from classical texts describing treatment given by a physician. None of it is a guide for self-treatment. Milk Hedge latex is caustic and is classified as a sub-poison, so these uses are described here for understanding, not for home practice.

Strong Purgation for Abdominal Disorders

The Bhavaprakasha's chief use for Milk Hedge is purgation (Virechana, therapeutic emptying of the bowels). The Sushruta Samhita states plainly, "Among milks, the milk of snuhi is best," in its chapter on purgative drugs.

The Bhavaprakasha lists abdominal diseases including ascites (Udara Roga), abdominal tumors or masses (Gulma) and severe constipation (Vibandha) among its uses, with purified latex used internally. The Sharangadhara Samhita says "the hard bowel requires Snuhi latex," alongside Danti fruit.

Curd is prepared from the mixture of one drona (12228g) of milk and half prastha (384g) of snuhi kshira (latex of Euphorbia neriifolia).

Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana, Chapter 13 (Udara Chikitsa)

The Charaka Samhita's chapter on abdominal diseases also describes a medicated ghee made with the latex and processed with Trivrit (Operculina turpethum), known as Snuhi Kshira Ghrita.

Hemorrhoids

The Bhavaprakasha lists Milk Hedge as anti-hemorrhoidal (Arshoghna) and names hemorrhoids (Arsha) among its classical uses. Traditional sources also describe the latex applied with turmeric to hemorrhoids.

Swelling and Inflammation

The plant is described as reducing swelling (Shothahara), and edema (Shotha) appears in its list of uses. It is also linked to inflammation in our knowledge graph. Its very hot, sharp nature is the classical reasoning for its ability to break up and move stagnant fluid.

Worms and Parasites

The Bhavaprakasha calls it a worm-destroying drug (Krimighna) and lists worm infestations (Krimi) among its uses.

Skin Conditions, Warts and Abscesses

The latex is mainly used externally. The Bhavaprakasha describes it applied to warts, tumors and skin growths, and lists skin diseases (Kushtha) among its uses. Traditional sources also mention it with ghee for ulcers and scabies.

The Sharangadhara Samhita includes the latex in the Dantyadi paste (Lepa, a topical paste) used to burst ripe abscesses. It explains that the vesicant latex of Snuhi and Arka, combined with caustic Bhallataka and Chitraka, acts as a chemical incision agent. The Sushruta Samhita mentions the milky juice of Snuhi and Arka with medicated oils for healing a sinus wound (Nadi-vrana).

Vata and Digestion

The Bhavaprakasha lists it as alleviating Vata (Vatahara), the dosha of movement, and as kindling digestive fire (Deepana). Its strong purgative and sharp action is why it is mentioned for Vata diseases.

Milk Hedge is not for self-treatment. The latex is caustic and classed as a sub-poison (Upavisha). Classically, the internal use described is of purified latex, used as a strong purgative under strict control by a qualified Ayurvedic practitioner. This page gives no home dosage for that reason.

The table below summarises how the classical texts describe it being prepared and used by physicians. It is a description, not instructions.

Classical Combinations

The texts rarely use Milk Hedge alone. It appears with ghee as a vehicle (Anupana, the carrier taken with a medicine), with Trivrit in medicated ghee, with Danti in purgative recipes, and with Arka, Chitraka and Bhallataka in topical pastes. Traditional sources also mention it with turmeric for hemorrhoids and with ghee for ulcers.

The Charaka Samhita also describes food cooked with the leaves of Snuhi, Trivrit, Danti and others for patients with abdominal disease, again as part of a physician's treatment plan.

Most Ayurvedic herbs are gentle. Milk Hedge is a clear exception, and the classical texts say so directly.

Classified as Poisonous

The Sharangadhara Samhita names Snuhi among the five sub-poisons (Upavisha), alongside Arka, Dhatura, Langali and oleander (Karavira). The Sushruta Samhita lists the milky exudation of Snuhi as one of the three latex poisons (Kshira-Visha). The Bhavaprakasha places it among poisonous herbs that require careful dose management.

Caustic Latex

The latex is caustic and can cause severe skin irritation. Traditional sources describe it as very irritant and strongly alkaline, to be used only under the supervision of an Ayurvedic specialist. Keep it away from eyes, broken skin and mucous membranes.

Not for Self-Treatment

• Do not take Milk Hedge latex or any preparation of it by mouth on your own. Internal use in the classical texts is of purified latex, given by a physician as a strong purgative.
• Do not apply the raw latex to warts or skin growths yourself. Its external use relies on its caustic action, which is exactly what makes it harmful when misused.
• Not for use during pregnancy or nursing, or in children.
• It is very hot and is listed as aggravating all three doshas (Vata, Pitta and Kapha) in excess.

Our sources do not record specific drug interactions. Given how strong it is, anyone taking medication should not use it outside a practitioner's care.

Milk Hedge rarely appears alone in the classical texts. These are the plants it is most often paired with, and how the texts set them apart.

Comparison	Milk Hedge	Alternative	Verdict
Milk Hedge vs Arka (Calotropis)	Latex used as a strong purgative and in topical pastes; a sub-poison	Latex used alongside Snuhi in abscess pastes and sinus wound care; also a sub-poison	Both are caustic latex plants listed together among the sub-poisons. Neither is for self-use.
Milk Hedge vs Danti (Baliospermum montanum)	Latex named by the Sushruta Samhita as the best purgative milk	Fruit paired with Snuhi latex for the "hard bowel" in the Sharangadhara Samhita	Classical partners in purgation recipes for stubborn constipation, used together by physicians.
Milk Hedge vs Trivrit (Operculina turpethum)	Latex is the base of Snuhi Kshira Ghrita	Used to process that same ghee in the Charaka Samhita	Combined in one medicated ghee for abdominal disease rather than chosen between.

Our sources do not offer a gentle, self-care substitute for Milk Hedge, so none is suggested here. A qualified practitioner can advise on safer options for your situation.

Milk Hedge is a caustic latex classed as a sub-poison, used classically only under a qualified practitioner. That applies to everyone, and some groups should avoid it entirely.

Pregnancy & Nursing

Not for use during pregnancy or while nursing. It is a drastic purgative and listed among poisonous plants, so there is no safe self-use in these situations.

Children

Not for children. Keep the plant, which is often grown as a hedge, out of their reach, since the latex can cause severe skin irritation.

Elderly

Our sources give no specific guidance for older adults. Because it is a strong purgative, it should only be considered by a practitioner who can judge an individual's strength.

Athletes

Milk Hedge has no role in sports or fitness use in our sources. It is not a tonic or performance herb.