Ayurvedic Properties
- Taste (Rasa)
- very hot
- Dosha Effect
- Vata, Kapha & Pitta increased
- Tissues
- Marrow/ nerves, plasma, fat
- Systems
- Nervous, excretory
What is Sehund / Snuhi (सेहुण्ड / स्नुही)?
Snuhi (Euphorbia neriifolia), known as Sehund or Thuhar, is a large succulent shrub with thick fleshy branches containing milky latex. It is found widely across India, often planted as a hedge. The latex (Kshira) is the main medicinal part and is a powerful purgative and Bhedana (piercing) drug. It is a key ingredient in Snuhi Kshira (latex) based formulations like Abhayarishta. The latex is caustic and must be used with great care. Applied externally, it is used for warts, tumors, and skin growths. Internally, purified latex is used as a strong purgative for conditions like ascites, abdominal tumors, and severe constipation. Five species of Euphorbia are mentioned in the text: E. neriifolia, E. nivulia, E. antiquorum, E. trigona, E. trincalli, and E. royleana.
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 3
Therapeutic Actions (Karma)
- Virechana (purgative)
- Bhedana (piercing/breaking)
- Krimighna (anthelmintic)
- Shothahara (anti-inflammatory)
- Arshoghna (anti-hemorrhoidal)
- Gulmahara (removes abdominal tumors)
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 3
Ayurvedic Properties (Energetics)
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Rasa (Taste) | very hot |
| Dosha Effect | VKP+ |
| Tissues (Dhatu) | Marrow/ nerves, plasma, fat |
| Body Systems | Nervous, excretory |
Source: The Ayurveda Encyclopedia, Chapter 4: Herbology
Preparation & Usage
Forms: Juice, powder, pill, syrup, paste, tincture, decoction, salve
Source: The Ayurveda Encyclopedia, Chapter 4: Herbology
Precautions & Contraindications
- It is very irritant and strong alkalis useunder the supervision of an Ayurvedic specialist
Source: The Ayurveda Encyclopedia, Chapter 4: Herbology
How to Use Snuhi by Condition
Explore how Snuhi is used for specific health concerns — with dosage, preparation methods, and classical references for each.
▶ Classical Text References (4 sources)
Classical Therapeutic Uses
- Udara Roga (abdominal diseases/ascites)
- Arsha (hemorrhoids)
- Gulma (abdominal tumors)
- Shotha (swelling)
- Kushtha (skin diseases)
- Krimi (worms/parasites)
- Vibandha (constipation)
Source: Bhavaprakash Nighantu, Varga 3
References in Charaka Samhita
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 — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 13: Abdominal Diseases Treatment (Udara Chikitsa / उदरचिकित्सा)
Further this ghee is processed with trivrita (Operculina turpethum) to get the snuhi kshira ghrita.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 13: Abdominal Diseases Treatment (Udara Chikitsa / उदरचिकित्सा)
Take one adhaka (3073g) of dadhi manda (liquid portion of curds), one pala (48g) paste of snuhi kshara (latex of Euphorbia neriifolia) and one prastha (768g) of ghee and process it into medicated ghrita.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 13: Abdominal Diseases Treatment (Udara Chikitsa / उदरचिकित्सा)
The knowledgeable physician should give the patients the food prepared with adding leaves of shankhini (Clitoria terneata), snuhi (Euphorbia neriifolia), trivrita (Operculina turpethum), danti (Baliospermum montanum) and chirabilva (Holoptelea integrifolia).
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 13: Abdominal Diseases Treatment (Udara Chikitsa / उदरचिकित्सा)
Danti (Baliospermum montanum), bark of chitraka root (Plumbago zeylanica Linn), latex of snuhi (Euphoria nerrifolia) and arka (Calatropis gigantean), jaggery, seed of bhallataka (Semecarpus anacardium linn) and kasisa (green vitriol) application as a lepa breaks even a stone, then what to speak of the nodules caused by kapha and situated in external regions of body.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 21: Erysipelas Treatment (Visarpa Chikitsa / विसर्पचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 13: Abdominal Diseases Treatment (Udara Chikitsa / उदरचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 21: Erysipelas Treatment (Visarpa Chikitsa / विसर्पचिकित्सा)
References in Sharangadhara Samhita
The Upavisha (sub-poisons/secondary toxic substances) are: Arka (Calotropis procera), Snuhi (Euphorbia neriifolia), Dhatura (Datura metel), Langali (Gloriosa superba), and Karavira (Nerium oleander).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 12: Rasadishodhana-Maranakalpana (Mercury and Rasa Preparations)
The hard bowel requires Snuhi latex (Euphorbia neriifolia), Hemachira, and Danti fruit (Baliospermum montanum).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 4: Virechana Vidhi (Purgation Therapy)
For incision/bursting (Darana) of abscesses -- the Dantyadi Lepa: Danti (Baliospermum montanum), Chitraka root bark (Plumbago zeylanica), Snuhi latex (Euphorbia neriifolia), Arka latex (Calotropis gigantea), jaggery (Guda), Bhallataka seed (Semecarpus anacardium), Kasisa (ferrous sulphate), and Saindhava (rock salt) -- this is known as Darana (bursting) paste.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
The vesicant latex of Snuhi and Arka, combined with the caustic Bhallataka and Chitraka, creates a chemical incision agent for ripe abscesses.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 12: Rasadishodhana-Maranakalpana (Mercury and Rasa Preparations); Uttara Khanda, Chapter 4: Virechana Vidhi (Purgation Therapy); Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
References in Sushruta Samhita
Arka, snuhi latex, pounded with the best purgatives, jatimula, two varieties of turmeric, kasisa, and katurohi — along with those previously mentioned — should be used to prepare purificatory ghee.
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 36: Bhumipravibhagiya Adhyaya - On Classification of Land for Medicinal Plants
Arka, snuhi latex pounded with the best purgatives, jati root, two types of turmeric, kasisa, and katurohi (verse 16) — along with previously mentioned drugs — should be used to prepare purificatory ghee.
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 37: Mishrakaadhyaya - The Miscellaneous Chapter
Among milks, the milk of snuhi (euphorbia) is best.
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 44: Virechana-dravya-vikalpa-vijnaniya Adhyaya - On Purgative Drug Preparations
Condition Treatment Sinus (Nadi-vrana) Milky juice of Snuhi and Arka with medicated oils for speedy healing;
— Sushruta Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana, Chapter 17: Visarpa Chikitsa
The milky exudations of Kumudaghni, Snuhi and Jala-Kshiri are poisons and are known as the three Kshira-Vishas, Phenasma-bhasma (white arsenic) and Haritala (yellow orpiment) are the two mineral poisons.
— Sushruta Samhita, Kalpa Sthana, Chapter 2: Sthavara-Visha-Vijnaniya
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 36: Bhumipravibhagiya Adhyaya - On Classification of Land for Medicinal Plants; Sutra Sthana, Chapter 37: Mishrakaadhyaya - The Miscellaneous Chapter; Sutra Sthana, Chapter 44: Virechana-dravya-vikalpa-vijnaniya Adhyaya - On Purgative Drug Preparations; Chikitsa Sthana, Chapter 17: Visarpa Chikitsa; Kalpa Sthana, Chapter 2: Sthavara-Visha-Vijnaniya
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.